Question about wedge>finishes

Ok so Brett Sbardella brought back some killer knowledge back from the training camp. We were working on Wedge> Knee Knot last night. I ran into a couple issues with being a bigger guy. I am having a hard time finishing with grabbing the ankle cause i lose the ankle position when i try to reach for it but i did find if i get really tight into there ass and lock the ankle with my one hand and keep my far hand posted it puts alot of pressure on the opponents knee causing a tap. Had Brett take some video to show wanted some feed back on possible other things i could do and better hand placements if their there.

You don't need to grab the ankle to get the knee knot. You'd only need to grab the ankle to troubleshoot when they're limp legging to avoid the knee knot.

In your video, use your right heel over the ankle, drag it toward yourself, cross your ankles But you technically don't NEED the knee knot at all. It just offers the ultimate control..And if you straigten your legs you can get a tap from a hip lock or knee pressure.


In my opinion, the sub you're pulling off is not univeral. It work for you because of your body type. If I were to reap the knee, lock the wedge, and lean back, nothing would happen. The good news is that it works for you, so make it work for you, you know?

Wait, do you mean that you can't wrap the ankle to go for the achilles/straight ankle lock?

Originally Posted by David Rosado

Wait, do you mean that you can't wrap the ankle to go for the achilles/straight ankle lock?

Correct later in class i worked on knee knot and was able to get that just fine. Its just not wanting to give up the wedge position to try for a submission when i can get this.

Originally Posted by DavidHamp

Correct later in class i worked on knee knot and was able to get that just fine. Its just not wanting to give up the wedge position to try for a submission when i can get this.

Oh, well yeah man, like I said, if the sub you use works for you, then make it work for you. It looks painful as fuuu. But you don't NEED to wrap the ankle either if you can reach your forearm back for a heel hook. Another thing to consider is the foot flex. And heel hooks are damn near guaranteed if you can wrap up a knee knot.


I used to have a lot of trouble wrapping the ankle because my belly would be in the way so I would wrap the calf and work my way up. What helped me was a "sawing" motion that Coach Herzog teaches in the even that you lock up closer to the calf than the ankle. Basically, overhook the leg (if the belly gets in the way, sneak as much of your hand through, and punch your other hand through to grab your wrist, then pull your overhooking hand all the way through as far as you can)....now, based on what I see in the video, you'll probably be near the calf. This part might suck for your partner, but you just saw back and forth while sliding your forearm up closer to the ankle. That should get you into position for the achilles/straight foot lock. Let me know if that helps.

Thanks man i will deff try it out

Damn Rosado I'm impressed, you did listen! All the advice you gave is correct.

Hamper, thats a variation of the foot flex, I use it as well sometimes, but as Rosado said it is low percentage.
Here a video of the basics positions & submissions, it should help.
Make sure to "hike" the knee, before you over hook, start high then work low. Not sure if "sawing" is on that video, if not I can make a quick one if ya want it. If you have any follow up questions to hesitate to ask!

I loved the leg locks from Coach Zog at the seminar. They were done in almost the mirror image of the way that I had been taught previously (ie: I had been attacking the bottom leg from the figure 4 leg clinch while you are both turned onto your hips), and they make a lot more sense Zog's way position wise.

Thanks Mike!

Originally Posted by Chris Herzog

Damn Rosado I'm impressed, you did listen! All the advice you gave is correct.

Haha thanks coach. It's more of a testament to your teaching than my listening. But I definitely did listen.