Toe Holds, Heel Hooks, Knee Bars, Calf Slicers & Ankle Locks. For many years most BJJ Competitors were focused on Chokes and Armbars, with leg locks considered low brow and uncivilized. But that was then, this is now. Dean Lister, John Danaher and his infamous Leg Lock system as used by the DDS (Danaher Death Squad) have changed the game. If your serious about competing in BJJ or MMA today you need to drill leglocks and leg lock defence.
If you’re new to BJJ take care who you train leg locks with. Particularly the inside heel hook where the risk of accidental injury is high, if the participants are not careful.
No one is going to die from an inside heel hook. But this submission has probably caused more long term serious injuries than any other. If you are drilling this at home with your brother make sure you understand how quickly the damage is done. There’s no gradual build up of pain that causes your opponent to tap with this leg lock. It doesn’t hurt, until it does, and then it’s to late.
Dean Lister is credited with popularising leg locks in Jiu Jitsu. He famously influenced John Danaher with a simple question. Why would you ignore 50% of the body? Here Dean explains how to lock in a devastating heel hook.
While John Danaher didn’t invent leg locks he has certainly perfected their use in competition BJJ. Building an amazing system that has brought huge success to his squad. Watching this video will improve your understanding of how heel hocks work and give you the details to stay in control and get the finish.
John also covers the three ways people can escape from a heel hook and how to counter them. This is tremendously useful in learning how to defend the heel hook as well as how to apply it. If you know what is important to your opponent in each step and work to prevent it you’ll improve your chances of escape.
Once you have the basic movements smooth and instinctive then the focus is on pulling them towards you with your heels so your hips remain as close as possible to your opponent’s. This is the key to truly mastering the heel hook, it’s similar to getting hip penetration on your armbar.
BJJ meets catch wrestling as Dean Lister explains the finer points of Toe Holds. Great details like;
When Bernardo says “I couldn’t see a way to escape from there” you know you’re going to catch a few blue belts with it. This is a great move against someone with a strong guard, especially those who are happy to go to ground and wait for you to come to them. Step in keep them on their back and then try Deans entry to set up a toe hold.
Dean Lister teaches the perfect kneebar technique.
Key points;
Many people teach you to go for the toe hold in the kneebar. Dean is adamant you’ll just end up with a weak kneebar, and a weak toe hold. It might finish a white belt, but anyone who’s any good will roll out of it. Your toe hold is just helping them to turn escaping the knee bar. Instead, Dean says to simply grab the toes with an opposing thumb and fingers grip. Use his foot to stop him from twisting his leg in either direction. This prevents his two main escape routes.