Leg Locks

Question 1

6 Essential & Sequential Skills

Answer 1

1. Grip & Inside Position
2. Distance & Connection.
3. Breakdown to a Hip.
4. Negate Resistance.
5. Heel Exposure.
6. Breaking

Question 2

3 Sub-Systems that manifest the 6 essential skills and have 3 central problems.

Answer 2

1. Straight Ashi Garami - Shared Spiral Problem.
2. Cross Ashi Garami - Turnout Problem.
3. Reverse Ashi Garami - Cross Leg Problem.

Question 3

10 Core Principles of Leg Attacks

Answer 3

1. Double Trouble Principle.
2. Dilemma Principle.
3. Percentage Principle.
4. Central Problem Principle.
5. Separation Principle.
6. Hierarchy Principle.
7. Opposing Forces Principle.
8. Holistic Principle
9. Multiple Ashi Principle.
10. Closed Open / Wedges Principle.

Question 4

Inside Position - Leg Locks

Answer 4

Inside Position
1. Inside Gripping takes limbs out and away from centreline, which exposes and isolates limb.
2. Outside Gripping generally pushes the limb across their body/ I.e. Elbow, exposing the back.
3. As a general rule, almost all leg lock entries and attacks utilise inside position and gripping especially with the lower limbs, that means either one or both of my feet need to be inside the opponents legs from hip down, whether seated, kneeling or standing. Typically pref both feet inside. Outside position is g

Question 5

Positive or negative gripping - Leg Locks

Answer 5

1. Positive and Negative Gripping. - Grip for a purpose. I.e. to enter attacks, grips that lead towards submissions. Have a clear sense of what I want to accomplish i.e to enter ashi garami. My initial grip must reflect what I want to achieve, i.e. an ashi garami, e.g. If I want them to raise a leg up from kneeling, use double wrist grip to threaten arm drag, if opp keeps knees on the ground they get dragged and I can enter back, if they lift one knee up to resist they enable me to do a 2 on 1 grip on their leg and enter into an ashi garami.

Question 6

Opponents Knees On or Off the Floor - Visual Cue

Answer 6

1. Upper body gripping - I cannot enter the ashi garami game if the opponents knees are on the floor. Using the 2 on 1 to Push Pull dynamic opponent will widen their base to stay stable, they will post their leg / foot, their knee will come up subsequently, if not they are easily swept.
2. My visual cue is the opponents knees off the ground.
3. When ever my opponent posts a leg / foot (and raises their knee), the first question I must ask myself is are my feet still on the inside position (because they can steal inside position with their feet).
4. If they take their knee off the ground I don’t have to elevate them because they have done that for me.
5. If they are standing both knees are off the ground and I can enter directly into ashi garami.
6. But if both knees are on the mat (kneeling) I use upper body grips and the push pull dynamic to get their knee/s off the ground and enter into ashi garami. knees are off the ground and I can enter directly into ashi garami.
7. But if both knees are on the mat (kneeling) I use upper body grips and the push pull dynamic to get their knee/s off the ground and enter into ashi garami.

Question 7

2 on 1 Gripping Principle

Answer 7

One hand covers another hands weakness.

Question 8

What are the three Main 2 on 1 - Upper Body Grips ?

Answer 8

1. 2 on 1 Palms Up Wrist Grip. - When opponents hands above their elbow.
2. 2 on 1 Palms Down Wrist Grip. When opponents hands are below their elbow.
3. 2 on 1 Elbow and Wrist Grip - If opponent is in a neutral position.

Question 9

Key Grip Exchange Skill

Answer 9

There will be a grip exchange, must be skilled in changing their grips into mine etc.

Question 10

What is the Immovable Elbow principle?

Answer 10

Once I assert my grips my elbows go to my hips as my shoulders come forward so my body is hunched over my grip. Contract around what you are gripping.

Move with the resistance, don’t pull against it. I.e. if they pull walk with it. If seated move seat one at a time not two at once and then trip them etc.

Question 11

What are the principles of the Push Pull Dynamic?

Answer 11

• Grip them in such a way that leads them to the goal of submission. This is done via the push pull dynamic.
• Grips can be divided into a push or pull grips.
• Need to be a master of both to be a good gripper.
• Want to be a threat when gripping not a threat.
• When I pull then they pull back, then I switch and push, as a result (example) their knee will likely lift off the mat. This is an opportunity for me to slide through and enter their legs.
• Or if they stand up you can have a double wrist grip and hook my foot behind their knee to enter ashi garami.
• Use grips positive grips.
• We almost always use grips to get an initial response out of opponent. When we feel some kind of resistance we go into combinations. Then an initial set of openings with present themselves on a resisting opponent
• Everything we do must generate movement.
• The single easiest way to use grip to generate movement out of a resisting opponent that leads to submission is to make use of the push pull dynamic.
• If I pull against my opponent and they give a rear-ward reaction I switch to a push and vice-versa.
• Constance repetitive use of the push pull dynamic is the single most important way in which you will generate openings that will allow you to enter the opponents legs.

Question 12

What are the key points of Torso Controls / Grips?

Answer 12

• Using the torso to use the push pull dynamic is one of the best ways of doing it because we are dealing with the opponents centre of mass.They give us a great propensity to bring our opponents in and for us to get under their centre of gravity. The main ways we go to to achieve this are the:
  1. Collar and Elbow Grip - Strong Push & Pull Grip.
  2. Double underhook - Strong Pull Grip. Some people connect their hands which isn’t wrong but you are open to be framed out and pushed away by opponent. Its better to hook above the opponents shoulders and then I bring my elbows into my waist to the unmovable elbow position. It’s hard for the opponent to pull away or have enough time to frame with their elbow.
  3. Tight waist Grip. - Good Pull Grip.
  5. Double Triceps. - Good Pull Grip. (Probably the most used). Head and body in close, grip near to the arm pit to control the shoulders, which in turn controls their torso. Elbow grips do not control the torso as effectively.

Question 13

What are the Hand Over Shoulders principles?

Answer 13

• Critical principle, when ever I get a chance I want to off-balance my opponent forward with a pull grip and get their hands over my shoulders onto the ground above me. This needs to be considered when positioning hands during grip fighting.
• If my opponents hands are underneath my arms, and if I pull them in then I am pulling them into upper body underhooks and I will not be able to get a satisfactory elevation. Their hands will be under my shoulders and under my arms.
• I want my opponents hands going over my shoulders to the floor, if I can do this then I can move effectively, get under my opponent and elevate them, to get to ashi garamis and get a submission. THIS has to be done before I begin the process of elevating my opponent.
• Manovre my opponents hands into a position where they are above my hands. JD’s favourite way is gripping the opponents tricep or down to the elbow and the other grip controlling the opponents torso (ie. collar grip, undercooks, collar ties, a second tricep grip etc.). If done, any pull will take my opponents hands over my shoulders.
• If opponent thumb blocks, I can break the thumb block by pulling and turning my elbows in and getting those hands over my shoulders. I must develop this as a skill, its subtle by important. Even if double thumb blocks. Now any pull will put opponents hands on the floor over my shoulders when I elevate them. I can continue the elevation that will lead to ways into the leg lock game.
• When drilling look for situations where I can get their hands above my biceps and elbows.
• Need to have a sense of where the opponents hands are in relation to my arms and shoulders.
• Pull and their hands should go above my elbows or shoulders.
• If their hands are lower than my arms and hands with a grip and I pull, it’s still a good grip but for upper body attacks instead of entering the legs.
• Close my elbows and draw them forward to stop them from pummelling back inside and getting the lower hand position. Especially with double under grips etc.
• Collar and tricep grip, if they have their hand on the inside I can use my collar side hand to push their hand to the outside above my opposite elbow, and control their tricep to prevent their hand coming back on the inside.
• Simple visual cue to whether to go into elevation.

Question 14

Opponents Knees On or Off the Floor - Visual Cue Key Points

Answer 14

1. Upper body gripping - I cannot enter the ashi garami game if the opponents knees are on the floor. Using the 2 on 1 to Push Pull dynamic opponent will widen their base to stay stable, they will post their leg / foot, their knee will come up subsequently, if not they are easily swept.
2. My visual cue is the opponents knees off the ground.
3. When ever my opponent posts a leg / foot (and raises their knee), the first question I must ask myself is are my feet still on the inside position (because they can steal inside position with their feet).
4. If they take their knee off the ground I don’t have to elevate them because they have done that for me.
5. If they are standing both knees are off the ground and I can enter directly into ashi garami.
6. But if both knees are on the mat (kneeling) I use upper body grips and the push pull dynamic to get their knee/s off the ground and enter into ashi garami.
7. When my opponent posts his foot on the outside of my leg, 2 on 1 Leg Grip.

Question 15

Lower Body Grips - Leg Locks

Answer 15

1. 2 on 1 Leg Grip Entry- ***a) Whenever we see the opponents leg posted on the outside we are going to take advantage of it and use a 2 on 1 leg grip. Grip the leg, one hand over hooking above then knee at the thigh the other hand below the knee wrist deep at the calf you do not pull their leg towards you, you hold it in place. You use your feet to scoot forward with the aim to get the top of my knee under into the pocket behind their knee. My hands only prevent them moving their leg away, my knee brings their leg to me. Its my knee that comes back to my chest as I rock backwards that draws my opponents bodyweight then my feet come up and I enter into ashi garami. This process is precluded with the upper body gripping and the push pull dynamic.
2. Shin to Shin. *** b) If my opponent steals the inside space and posts their leg / foot between my knees, (shin to shin is the foundation, there are other counters to it later in the instructional), they will want to come through and drive with their knee first and upper body grips first. I need to prevent the knee drive first. Immediately I 1) take a palm up 2 on 1 grip with my elbows in (to negate upper body grips) and place it on my opponents knee to prevent the knee drive (the knee is what actually passes my guard). 2) I take my outside leg out wide and in one motion I pummel my foot back to the inside position (ala Shin on Shin), taking my foot outside first makes it easier to pummel in. 3) Now I go around the corner with my outside arm and go wrist deep palm down around my partners leg. 4) Now when my opponent goes to knee drive, I place my inside knee on their cross hip, my shoelaces are inside his, I place a cross frame with my forearm on his opposite shoulder (can use it to steer them) as I roll back with the drive and I have inside position. I am now in a perfect position lift / elevate and to extend my leg and I am now in the ashi garami position.
3. Standing Opponent: Shin on Shin: There is a movement asymmetry. Shin on Shin gripping strategy dramatically slows down my opponent and limits the potential movement asymmetry between a standing and seated position. I can preclude the following with an upper body grip i.e. Double Wrist Grip with a Push Pull action, also can have shin on shin with an upper body grip prior to going to the leg grip 1) When sitting in front of my standing opponent, I hook my foot shoelaces to inside my opponents ankle, I must have an active hook by bending my toes back towards my knee. this hook is strong between each of my opponents feet (foot to foot) but not outwards away from the hook. This weakness must be covered by my arm grip. 2) So I scoot forward and wrap my arm palm down wrist deep around my opponents leg, I snake my hand around and cup my opponents calf muscle. And bring my elbow and knee close together. So the weakness of my hand grip is covered by the strength of my my foot hook grip and vice versa. Now if my opponent goes to pull out, his leg is covered on both sides. 3) If their other leg is out of reach and away. My grip on 1 leg can determine the position of my opponents other leg. By placing my free hand on the floor I can pull with my grips towards this posted hand and bring his leg towards my posted hand so I can grip it with my free hand or if they do not do this both his hands will come to the floor. 4) If their opposite leg comes forward and I am gripping it, move into ashi garami, if their arms on the floor, grip behind their lat / arm pit and move into ashi garami.
4. Scoop Gripping: Is an ‘underhook on the leg.’ - it enables me to control both lower and upper leg with I grip, a single hand is gripping on the upper leg and and my elbow is controlling the bottom leg. - it allows my free hand to do other things. 1) If I am in seated guard and I am playing an upper body gripping push pull game and my opponent posts a foot to the outside. My opposite hand over wraps to ‘catch’ their leg to hold it in place as my same side as the posted foot arm scoop grips their leg as I drag them and roll backwards getting under their centre of gravity and enter ashi garami. *** Scoop grips have a tremendous ability to drag / pull weight along the mat.
5. Ankle Gripping - Common grip for Supine Position. 1) In supine position with an opponent who has a staggered stance, first foot hook goes on their back leg (the opposite leg to the one I want to control, 2) then I shoot my grip down and grip my opponents ankle on their leading leg using a five finger grip (keep thumb with fingers). In doing this I try to put my forearm over my partners shoelaces. That gives good control of the foot and I make sure grip with my pinky knuckle close to the floor, I want to be precise and grip the end of the lever which provides maximum control of the leg. 3) Once I establish control of my opponents foot I hug it into my hip to prevent my opponent from pummelling and kicking out their foot. 4) Now I take my hand side leg and put my knee behind their knee of their lead leg. 5) There are two forces, my lead leg knee comes back to my chest, my hooking foot goes out away from me. This immediately creates a destabilising effect on my opponent, enabling me to 5) Throw my legs up and establishing ashi garami.

Question 16

Volume 1 - Grip & Inside
- Attaining Inside

Answer 16

1. Attaining Inside - Practice going from outside to inside positions i.e. Closed Guard to inside - push upper body to maintain space, gain angle and pummel / circle one leg at a time, then go from supine to seated position by forward shifting, bring my knees to my chest bringing them position and then shift them forward. Now we have upper body grips and inside position where we can take them over my shoulders and into the leg game.

Question 17

Volume 1 - Grip & Inside
- Standing Opponent

Answer 17

2. Standing Opponent - If I stay squat in my closed guard they can leg lock me, torreando or underhook scoop my legs so… Grip one ankle with an inside grip and the other with an outside grip. Now pivot and take the inside position with my right knee on inside grip side, now pummel my other foot to the inside position, release out side grip and move the leg away with my inside leg, this creates sufficient space and angle to bring my inside grip leg with knee on inside to go to the far leg and into x-guard - inside upper position, once in x guard play kusushi game and get their hands to the mat, now in great position to enter the legs. i.e. cross ashi, by rocking back and forward, bring my lower inside x slides up to their hip, my upper x goes under the other x that slid up (Reverse X Guard) rock back, create figure 4 with legs then rock forward into ashi garami leg position.

Question 18

Volume 1 - Grip & Inside
- De La Riva

Answer 18

3. De La Riva - Inside & Grip: Punch through underhook on near leg and hold my own shin, create kazushi by a combination of my extended inside foot and near shin grip to put opponents hands on the ground, now obtain x-guard by pummelling my near foot that (I was gripping its shin) through and around and switch up to a scoop grip, thread the good into an guard (top position),get their hands on the floor, go to Reverse X Guard Rock back and into leg position.

Question 19

Volume 1 - Grip & Inside
- Pummelling Legs Top Position

Answer 19

1. Seated: Typically people have feet relatively close, need to approach and obtain inside position without being made vulnerable. I must avoid square stances at opponents foot line and surrender inside position immediately. Demarcation Lines: Toe line, Ankle line, Knee Line, Hip Line (ultimate line I need if I want to pass opponent). If I step past toe line I give up inside position, so step up to toe line, so if they want inside position then they will have to extend leg which makes them vulnerable or scoot forward which takes time. Staggered stance, step to but not past toe line, take a v-grip with my back hand on their shoulder, this provides resistance to them trying to come towards me, my other hand is used as a down blocking hand, so if their foot comes forward I can grip it and bring it up and out, or to grip and hand fight, I cannot just allow the opponent to move as they wish and give them no opportunity to grip fight me both hands and hook me with their feet at the same time. I want to be able to get inside position. I know if I just bring my back leg forward they will hug it and shin to shin. So I take this away through using a cross grip on their wrist / hand, if this hand is denied grip the other one, now aggressively step in deeply and I push his shoulders behind his hips, so his stance is broken, now when they recover position we have the inside position ready to start playing by passing or leg game. Will be early jockeying for position at the start, don’t stand up too straight, my head is roughly the same height as theirs, use rear hand to post and time up opponents hands, now enter and push their shoulders backwards and so on…
   
   2. Seated Position: More skilled opponents require a movement based method, it will be my ability to create movement. More experienced opponents will be more skilled and disciplined at keeping inside position. They will keep their feet so close together that if I step forward they will get inside position. a) To get past this I need to use movement. If the opponent brings his feet right in and is contracted they I understand he’s sacrificed his base of support and mobility, if I see this I start with movement, I start with fake movement, I am staggered start and I posture up a bit more so my movement isn’t constrained, my first step will be a cross step with a thumb post to their shoulder and take a side step out beyond the line of their knee, now I crescent step around the out side of my opponent (with my inside leg) with my foot around them with my foot pointing inwards, if he doesn’t move I get the back, opp has to react to this by posting and scooting, as he does this he will widen his feet where I can then step into inside position. So fake pass, so opponent separates feet and I step to the inside position. b) If they are aware of the crescent step I can fake step and then step inside if they seperate their feet. c) Posting on shoulder and hand fighting both my hands come down and catch my opps ankles one palm down one palm up, I lift my opponents feet up as my opponent goes to recover position I step to the inside position. d) From my knees, Push pull dynamic with inside grips, I raise up a bit from my knees so I don’t get taken backwards, I take a collar grip and a knee grip and I can turn them and seperate their knees, I put my foot up into the inside position. e) From my knees: Start with push pull dynamic, I take a knife hand to my opps calf muscle, I brush my partners knees to the side, as they go to recover position my knee steps up and goes on the inside position.
   3. Supine Opponent - Best position for me is both feet on inside, next is one foot in and one out, both feet to the side of each other (neither feet inside) is neutral and if they have both their feet on the inside they have the advantage.
      
      1. If Opponent has both feet inside with sticky hooks? He wants my knees pointing outwards to create kusushi and enter leg position.
         
         1. Variation 1 - So… post on training partners knees with hands, post and turn my 1st knee inwards to negate hook, bring my feet to feet, now put all weight on other leg and pummel turned leg to inside position, now post and turn second knee in bring foot to my buttocks so I now have both feet on the inside and can enter leg locks.
         2. Variation 2 - Do a cross step to opposite hamstring when inside and back step into a cross ashi position.
         3. If I step one leg in and they then sticky hook my cross leg, I can move sideways knee to knee and I then can turn my knee in pummel sideways and then move to the neutral position. I then sink my knee, catch my training partners let with my inside hand / forearm as I post with the other and bring my outside leg over his hip and threaded under their other leg as I sit and grab their other leg.
2. Hand Post Leg Pummelling:
   1. If my partner, gets butterfly hooks on me and my weight is on my hands above their shoulders and legs are in the air.
   1. Safety First: Retract feet in towards each other and to my buttocks.
   2. Now can begin pummelling,
   3. turn body, pummel my left foot inside their right foot,
   4. place other foot on the ground and extend my left leg, now I have inside position on one side.
   5. Now as they try to elevate me with other foot I can pummel my other foot inside their other foot and obtain inside position.
   6. Now I can play the leg lock position.
   2. Can also pummel knees from this position, as I get elevated, I can take a knee and turn across their body which creates space for my leg to pummel across both partners shoe laces, to then pummel to the neutral position, where I can move to a leg lock position.
   3. Can also punch an underhook from a single leg inside, then knee cut pass.
   4. From a single foot in can also let them have an underhook and then back step into a cross ashi garami.
   5. Use knees to clear their knees from side to side, use my feet to pummel my shoelaces into their shoelaces.

Question 20

Irimi Ashi - Distance & Connection

Answer 20

5. Irimi Ashi - Distance & Connection
   
   1. Primary connection to opponent is Irmi Ashi Garami (Standard Leg Entry), cover distance and form an initial connection with partner. Its like a jab and other punches or positions come off of it. I will use this more than any other. I will use this to setup other versions of ashi garami. Nearly all ashi garami’s have one thing in common, two of my legs controlling one of my partners legs.
   2. 2 Positions for Inside Leg:
      
      1. Straight buttock position, left shoelace goes to right buttock.
         
         1. Most of the time I make an initial connection I want a straight buttock position. Why? Because I want to form a connection between my two legs, the further they are apart the easier they are to escape. I want to connect my knee and ankle together so they form a strong initial connection. The cross buttock position has a gap between by outside foot and my inside leg. My opponent can exploit that by separating my feet and defending.
         2. A circle is made around my partners hip, my knee and outside foot touch.
         3. Scissor my legs together, do now squeeze my thighs together to avoid fatigue. Put body weight over opponents shin when they go to pull away I will be connected to my opponents body.
      2. Cross Buttock Position: On the same leg I am trying to control, shoelace to their cross buttock. Left shoe lace to left buttock.

Question 21

Knee & Knee Line - Distance & Connection

Answer 21

1. At all times when playing the leg lock game I want my opponents knee within my knee line.
   
   2. The further the better, get my hips as close to my opponent. Get hip to hip. Overkill principle. As we fight for leg lock our hips will drift apart, so start as close as possible, if I start near the border line then a small movement it will neutralise the leg lock. If I they come closer to my knee line I stop and adjust and get closer.
   3. Knee and knee line first, everything else second.
   4. Prefer straight buttock position, cross buttock position blocks yourself from getting hip to hip.
   5. I put everything over my partners leg (lean) and well within knee line.

Question 22

Connection Drills:

Answer 22

1. DRILL 1 - 2 on 1 Grip on leg and feet draw me forward (Do not put my hands on mat) so I can establish inside position and irimi ashi garami, elbow over opponents leg. Partner will try and slide back and then roll to one side then back and then roll back to the other side to test connection.
   
   2. Key distance measurement is their knee and my knee line. My measure when they are standing is their ankle line. When penetrating our hips have to penetrate past their ankle line. Our hips have to go to his hips. Because his hips are over his ankles.
   3. DRILL 2 - To drill point 2. I get a double hand grip at their knee line, I use the pull of my feet to pass past their ankle line. Wrist deep and snake my arms around their body. These hand grips prevent them from stepping back. I want to curve my back / rounding my spine to minimise contact with the mat. My 2 feet pull my body through, so when I throwmy ashi garami up. Its my legs doing work, so I have free hands to heel hook.

Question 23

GRAVITY DRILLS:

Answer 23

1. Gravity Drill 1: Posture is important, rounded spine, i.e. rocking chair spine, partner is standing and I rock from one leg to the other leg irmi ashi. I should be able to talk as I will not be using my abdominal muscles. On the last one sit my partner down to the mat. Its important to build a habit that when the partner goes down I maintain the distance between our heads so I come up and lean forward over their leg.
   
   2. Gravity Drill 2: Supine position on back facing away with a standing partner. Grip back of their knees and with curved / rounded spine, then split legs with one foot going in side and becoming an anchor so my other foot can come around to the outside, and hook inside shoes laces to inside of partners buttocks same side, this forms an anchor, I use this to pull and I take my outside leg as a wedge outside around my opponents body, my legs are scissoring, one leg pushing into thigh and the other pulling against their calf forming a wedge. I take my outside foot against their hip to square up and then go to the other leg. Then break their hip down to the ground whilst keeping my head above their shin. Start drill in stages by rocking and progressively doing the movement.
   3. Gravity Drill 3: Rolling: Sit in front of partner in a 45 degree angle. Lean forward towards opponent, put back of hand (wrist contact) behind knee, round spine, go to double grip, bring one foot in with my shoelaces on my partners buttock as an anchor, the up around the corner with scissored legs then out to a corner to bring to the mat.

Question 24

Knee Line Recovery:

Answer 24

1. Inside Scoop under knee, second catches their ankle, if they pull away my feet act as an anchor, I draw them back in, re lock my ashi, turn my scoop grip thumb down and pull out.
   
   2. Follow their pull back with my head over their knee. I cup 2 on 1 with 2 over grips, I pull my self to him backing to Ashi Garami.
   3. From Cross-Ashi - go elbow deep on scoop grip under their legs grabbing my thigh, I lean back which brings them back within the knee line.

Question 25

John Danaher Leg Locks Instructional Contents

Answer 25

Question 26