Leg Laces, Hip Locks, Toe Flexors, and other leg locks

**CoffeeFan** · Posted On: 3/10/2013 2:14pm

Grappling is an ever evolving art form. As rules change and different styles become popular, certain techniques grow and others get discarded. Sometimes the technique just don't work in a live environment and other times they don't comply with the rules. Leg locks are a great example of a skill set that is not practiced or developed enough by most grapplers.

These "illegal" techniques should be preserved and practiced, as they are effective. Plus, you don't want to be stuck not knowing how to deal with them if they ever come up.

I'm going to use this thread to post weekly videos of forbidden, obscure, or unique leg locks. I'll try to keep it to high percentage moves but I'll toss in an odd situation ones as well.

Here is hip lock counter to the Upa Sweep filmed at a SoCal throwdown a few years ago.

**CoffeeFan** · Posted On: 3/10/2013 2:51pm

Also, some real basic rules for practicing these moves or leg locks in general:

1) If you are a white belt, don't practice these. Don't use these in free grappling, don't teach these to other white belts. Blue belts, talk to your instructor about leg locks and what's appropriate.

2) Always warm up your feet, ankles, knees, and hips before practicing these moves.

3) Go VERY SLOWLY when first practicing these moves and BE CAREFUL with how much pressure to apply. Many of these moves require only a little bit of force and can cause a lot of damage is misapplied or with too much force.

4) When practicing heel hooks and other knee attacks first focus on getting into the proper position then securing the foot or leg secured. Slowly apply the submission until they tap. After a few tries, just practice securing proper position and the foot/leg. This will keep your knee joints from getting overstretched.

5) Heel hooks and knee bars don't start hurting until after you've done some damage to the joint. Make sure to tap when your at full extension or start to feel the pressure building in your knee.

6) If you can, Ice your knees after a class devoted to leg lock practice. If you have bad ankles, ice those too.

7) Apply cautiously to free grappling and make sure to go slow with these. Tap early, tap often.

8) Learn the proper way to escape these moves. You can really hurt yourself if you go the wrong way.

9) Consult your instructor and training partners before using leg locks.

**Mr.Miyagi** · Posted On: 3/11/2013 4:20pm

Originally Posted by CoffeeFan

Grappling is an ever evolving art form. As rules change and different styles become popular, certain techniques grow and others get discarded. Sometimes the technique just don't work in a live environment and other times they don't comply with the rules. Leg locks are a great example of a skill set that is not practiced or developed enough by most grapplers.

These "illegal" techniques should be preserved and practiced, as they are effective. Plus, you don't want to be stuck not knowing how to deal with them if they ever come up.

I'm going to use this thread to post weekly videos of forbidden, obscure, or unique leg locks. I'll try to keep it to high percentage moves but I'll toss in an odd situation ones as well.

Dude, thank you. Thank you so much. This is awesome. I definitely agree with all of the above and am really happy you are taking the time to do this. Leglocks are something I really love, just the way the transitions happen, how they can be used, the variety, it's like this whole other aspect of grappling that appears to be lost with the IBJJF restrictive ruleset, and that makes me sad, because I don't want these techniques to be forgotten or not practiced as well! I'm really happy I'm able to practice these things in the Gym in classes and free rolls against higher belts, so I'm also looking forward to the fun items you'll be outlining here!

**Bencnymma** · Posted On: 3/15/2013 10:31am

If you guys want some great vids any of Riley bodycombs vids are amazing for sambo leg locks or Sambo Steve's stuff. And also Imanari in MMA has the best leg locks ive seen pulled off in the mma circuit

**Syphilis** · Posted On: 3/15/2013 5:32pm

I have been hitting reaps and toeholds & Heelhooks everywhere. I don't have a very fancy system yet, but please keep them coming. I really like this hip lock, coffeefan.