Leg locks have gone from being overlooked to becoming one of the most powerful and technical areas of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. If you’re new to them, they can feel confusing, risky, and a bit chaotic. This guide strips things back to fundamentals so you understand what leg locks are, why they matter, and how to start training them safely and effectively.
What Are Leg Locks?
Leg locks are submissions that target the lower body. Instead of attacking the neck or arms, you are attacking joints like the ankle, knee, or hip.
At a basic level, they fall into two groups:
Straight (linear) attacks
- Apply force along the natural line of the joint
- Example: straight ankle lock
Rotational attacks
- Twist the joint beyond its normal range
- Examples: heel hooks, toe holds
For beginners, you should focus almost entirely on straight ankle locks first. They are safer, widely legal, and teach the core mechanics you’ll use later.
Why Leg Locks Matter
For a long time, leg locks were underused in traditional BJJ. That has changed completely.
They are now essential because:
- They open new submission pathways when upper body attacks are defended
- They force opponents to respect your lower body control
- They are highly effective in both gi and no-gi (especially no-gi)
- They create strong connections between guard, sweeps, and submissions
Ignoring leg locks today is like ignoring back control or guard passing.
Key Positions You Need to Know
Before learning submissions, you need to understand the positions where leg locks happen. Think of these as your “control platforms.”
1. Ashi Garami (Single Leg Control)
The foundation of leg locks.
- You isolate one of your opponent’s legs
- Your legs wrap around theirs to control the hip and knee
- You control distance and prevent escape
This is where most beginners should start.
2. Straight Ashi vs Outside Ashi
Straight Ashi
- You are positioned in line with your opponent
- Safer and more beginner-friendly
- Ideal for ankle locks
Outside Ashi
- You move slightly off to the side
- Gives better breaking mechanics
- Introduces more exposure to counters
3. 50/50 Guard
- Both players have mirrored leg entanglement
- Can be static and technical
- Common in gi and no-gi
Useful later, but not the best starting point.
The Core Submission: Straight Ankle Lock
This is your entry point into leg locks.
Key mechanics:
- Control the leg first (position before submission)
- Place your forearm under the Achilles tendon
- Lock your grip tight (usually palm-to-palm or guillotine grip)
- Extend your hips forward to apply pressure
Ankle lock rule:
- Position → control → break
- Not the other way round
Most beginners fail because they rush the finish without proper control.
Safety First: This Is Non-Negotiable
Leg locks can cause injury quickly, especially to the knee.
Basic safety principles:
- Tap early, especially to anything involving rotation
- Avoid heel hooks as a beginner unless supervised
- Apply submissions slowly and with control
- Communicate with your training partner
Knee injuries from leg locks often happen before pain is felt. That’s why control matters more than aggression.
Common Beginner Mistakes
1. Chasing the submission too early
You need control first. Without it, your opponent escapes easily.
2. Ignoring upper body positioning
Your hands, posture, and head position matter just as much as your legs.
3. Crossing your feet incorrectly
This can expose you to counters or weaken your control.
4. Not controlling the opponent’s knee line
If their knee escapes your control, the submission is usually lost.
Key point:
- Control the knee line = control the position
How to Start Training Leg Locks
If you’re new, keep it simple:
Step 1: Learn one position
- Straight Ashi Garami
Step 2: Learn one submission
- Straight ankle lock
Step 3: Add one entry
- From open guard or basic sweep
Step 4: Drill slowly
- Focus on control, not speed
Step 5: Positional sparring
- Start in Ashi Garami and work from there
This builds understanding much faster than trying to learn everything at once.
Gi vs No-Gi Differences
Gi:
- Slower pace
- More friction
- Fewer leg lock options (depending on ruleset)
No-Gi:
- Faster and more dynamic
- Leg locks are central to the game
- More exposure to advanced attacks (heel hooks, etc.)
As a beginner, the principles are the same. The pace and risk just change.
Where Leg Locks Fit in Your Game
Leg locks shouldn’t replace your existing game. They should connect to it.
They link naturally with:
- Open guard
- Sweeps
- Transitions to back takes
- Guard retention
A good mindset is:
Leg locks are not a shortcut
They are an extension of control
Final Thoughts
Leg locks can feel like a completely different language when you start. But they follow the same core principles as the rest of Jiu Jitsu:
- Control before submission
- Position before pressure
- Precision over strength
Start simple. Stay safe. Build gradually.
If you do that, leg locks won’t just be something you “try” — they’ll become a reliable part of your game.
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