Leg Entanglement Systems
☰Contents
BJJ leg entanglement guide — ashi garami, inside heel hook, outside heel hook, toe hold, and the positional hierarchy that determines safety and legality.
Leg entanglements — the family of leg lock positions — represent the fastest-growing area of modern BJJ and the most dangerous submission system. Understanding the positions, entries, and safety hierarchy is essential for any serious BJJ practitioner.
Ashi Garami Fundamentals
Ashi garami (single leg X) is the foundational leg entanglement. One leg threads between the opponent's legs (hip lock), one leg pushes the hip out (hip control). From ashi garami: straight ankle lock, heel hook (turn toward the inside heel direction), and kneebar. All leg lock entries pass through an ashi garami variant.
Inside vs. Outside Heel Hook
The inside heel hook (reaping the inside of the heel) attacks the ACL and MCL from the outside. It is the most dangerous and highest-value leg lock. The outside heel hook (regular heel hook from outside the leg) attacks the LCL. Both require ashi garami control. The inside heel hook is legal in brown/black belt IBJJF and most EBI/no-gi competitions.
Positional Hierarchy
Dominant leg entanglement positions, in order: inside ashi (reaping) > regular ashi garami > outside ashi > 50/50 > cross ashi. Inside ashi with the heel hook is the most dangerous. 50/50 creates a mutual attacking situation — first to finish wins.
Safety Rules for Training
Never crank heel hooks without proper tension recognition training. Train leg locks with partners who can recognize danger and tap early. The rule: tap when you feel tension, not when you feel pain. The ACL and MCL can tear before significant pain is felt. Leg lock training requires a specific communication agreement before training.