The Leg Lock Debate (Video)

[Chris Herzog]

[derrick ikwueme]

I feel ya, you can't be scared of leg locks, as a soccer player that fear came naturally for me. So I decided to become a "Leg Dog"
and really focus on my "Leg Game" But I still only practice leg locks with people who know what there doing.

[Brandon Jeffries]

Yeah a few guys i used to train with wouldnt do leg locks and would get pissed if I tried to go for one. I was like practicing without leg locks is like eating a burger with no bun, or smoking a bowl with a match. It just doesnt make since. Needless to say, I no loger train with those guys.

[Chris Herzog]

Yeah a few guys i used to train with wouldnt do leg locks and would get pissed if I tried to go for one. I was like practicing without leg locks is like eating a burger with no bun, or smoking a bowl with a match. It just doesnt make since. Needless to say, I no loger train with those guys.

Koolaid no suga, peanut butter no jelly

[AJ Camacho]

I grappled in a cage the other night, in a submission grappling tournament. At the last minute they pulled all leg attacks out of the rules. My entire gym was pretty pissed about it as they wouldn't even allow straight ankle locks.

[Mr Fantastic Shawn Murphy]

Umm... Nachos no salsa? Anyways...

It seems to me that completely ignoring leg locks early on in your grappling career is cementing bad habits down the line when you compete at a higher level.

If you go years without having to worry about leg locks and then all of a sudden your game has to change because you realized that you leave your feet in easy reach for your opponent while you roll then that's a huge step back. It comes time to UNlearn what you've been doing forever and that can be a harder task than just getting it right the first time.

It's possible to practice heel hooks and whatnot as a white belt. Just because you got into a position to secure a position doesn't mean that you have to yank on them. If someone gets you in them repeatedly then you know you need to work on it and reevaluate what you've been doing.

[Brian Beaumont AKA Thor]

You gotta trust the guys your working with. The problem is as an instructor I have to protect the ones who don't know any better (often kids but not always) . I can usually tell when a roll won't end well and will calm them down. I've met a lot of first generation US Gracie guys with pins in their ankles and knees because real men don't tap to leg locks. Not to mention every gym has "that guy" the one who doesn't care if he hurts his partners. I handle it differently if it's inexperience, stupidity in the heat of the moment or someone is just an a-hole. I use leg locks all the time but as a trauma nurse I know that leg injuries are career ending and treat them with caution. Not to mentions it only takes one lawsuit to close a gym.

[Peter Hirt]

Umm... Nachos no salsa? Anyways...

It seems to me that completely ignoring leg locks early on in your grappling career is cementing bad habits down the line when you compete at a higher level.

If you go years without having to worry about leg locks and then all of a sudden your game has to change because you realized that you leave your feet in easy reach for your opponent while you roll then that's a huge step back. It comes time to UNlearn what you've been doing forever and that can be a harder task than just getting it right the first time.

It's possible to practice heel hooks and whatnot as a white belt. Just because you got into a position to secure a position doesn't mean that you have to yank on them. If someone gets you in them repeatedly then you know you need to work on it and reevaluate what you've been doing.

I don't know that I agree with this. Often times white belts do not have the where-with-all to practice techniques with full control. They're in class for 1/2 a year getting beat by the same guy night after night; maybe another white belt, perhaps ranked higher... then there is that ONE session where they get close, and see the opportunity but they know they have to get it quick!! Bang! A lifetime lesson that someone ELSE has to pay for.

Don't try to microwave cook the "art" of the 10th Planet system (or any system) for the sake of competition wins only. You may get VERY good, but odds still are you're not going to be the Abu Dahbi champ at 50. Or 60. Or more... I don't think any of you true Nibiru Warriors here signed on as a part time gig. This is for life, right? Have Patience. Embrace Changes. Enjoy the ride!

[Chris Herzog]

The biggest issues is most people are ignorant to the subtle nuances of leg locks. Its not the submissions themselves, but rather the positions of control that are important to develop at lower ranks. Learning and developing the skills necessary to transition to the positions of control and escaping them are the real foundation of leg lock development. Its funny how one of major guidelines of Jiu Jitsu is position first then submission however its overlooked when it comes to leg locks. Once you develop your positions of control and your transitions to them you have a number of submissions to choose from:

Straight Leg: Calf Crush, Achilles Lock, Foot Flex, Hand Pressing Foot Flex, etc.

Rotational: Heel hook, Hand Pressing Foot Flex/Heel Hook Combo, Toe Hold, Hip Lock, etc.

and thats just form your standard leg control positions: 50/50, Inside Controls (Clamps, Wedges, Knots, Splits,etc.)

Theres no reason why white belts can't be using straight leg submissions, as long as there is an emphasis on positions and transition.

Respect your training partners and the potential dangers of ALL submissions and you can train with leg locks as you would any other submission.

[Tommy Capello]

I personally think that no submission should be outlawed, If the guy doesnt tap, thats there problem