Dont feel Ankle Locks... need advise

[David Stager]

I always assumed that straight-ankle locks were relatively safe compared to, say, heel hooks. In all the tourneys I've been to, they're the only leg-locks allowed in beginner divisions, probably because there's less risk of serious injury from a white belt exploding on the submission.

This isn't the most educated opinion, but I think you can adopt a wait-and-see-if-it-actually-hurts approach to straight-ankle locks without putting yourself in unnecessary danger.

[Chris Herzog]

ironic you should say that.. i am down in decatur right now training a bit and i had the same question yesterday. For some reason everytime i was put in a straight ankle lock, i never felt pain or enough pressure to ever feel threatened. So i let the instructor get me in one and show me what was (or wasnt) going on. And i found 2 things he did different that made me tap. #1.. he didnt just lay flat on his back when he torqued it. He took it to the side and got on his hip. Which changes the angle a bit. And #2 instead of just going straight back, he cranked at a slight angle. still doing the straight ankle, just someone off center. Which I know the straight ankle locks still work, ive tapped people with them and see people tap all the time from them.. but i think there are some people with just naturally flexable ankles and a high pain tolerance in their lower calves/acl so the basic one doesnt tend to work. But try having someone go on their side and crank it a little off center the same direction you would perform a heel hook and see if that works. I know it did on me.

+1

The biggest issue most people have regarding leg locks is foucsing on the submisison rather than position. The secret of leg locking success is mastering the positions of control and the transitions to those positions of control, the submission will follow.

[Chris Herzog]

When I'm Rolling And Get Put In Am Ankle Lock I Don't Feel It. I Don't Know If I Should Just Tap Early Or If I Should Be Okay With It, I Mean I Don't Want My Ankle To Be Dislocated But I Don't Want To Just Tap For Something I don't Feel. I Need Some Advise On What To Do.

Sounds as if they aren't doing it right.

[chronic_jiujitsu]

chris herzog is the footlock master. he is the one who taught me that finish. he should really be the one to make the video.

That would be sweet if he did that. also im assuming Masakazu Imanari would have a video somewhere online of how to do it if anyone is interested in looking it up.. he seems to be pretty awesome with anything leg-lock related.

[Chris Herzog]

chris herzog is the footlock master. he is the one who taught me that finish. he should really be the one to make the video.

I'd like to see you teach it on video, I'd really like to see where your at with the transition and positioning.

[Mike Nall]

When I'm Rolling And Get Put In Am Ankle Lock I Don't Feel It. I Don't Know If I Should Just Tap Early Or If I Should Be Okay With It, I Mean I Don't Want My Ankle To Be Dislocated But I Don't Want To Just Tap For Something I don't Feel. I Need Some Advise On What To Do.

Honestly I doubt anyone is doing a proper straight footlock on you. If they were, you would be tapping. A proper footlock should feel as if your foot is being torn or sheered away from your leg at the top of your ankle where your foot meets your shin. It shouldn't feel like simple pressure on your Achilles Tendon.

[Mike Nall]

That would be sweet if he did that. also im assuming Masakazu Imanari would have a video somewhere online of how to do it if anyone is interested in looking it up.. he seems to be pretty awesome with anything leg-lock related.

Believe it or not, Imanari's DVD doesn't have one straight footlock on there. All the leglocks on there are heel hooks, reverse heel hooks, knee bars, toe holds, and some combinations of those. Sucks too. Id like to see what Imanari has to say about the straight footlock.

[Daniel Valdez]

Quote Originally Posted by Dominic Prigan View Post
When I'm Rolling And Get Put In Am Ankle Lock I Don't Feel It. I Don't Know If I Should Just Tap Early Or If I Should Be Okay With It, I Mean I Don't Want My Ankle To Be Dislocated But I Don't Want To Just Tap For Something I don't Feel. I Need Some Advise On What To Do.

Sounds as if they aren't doing it right.

haha, well I was the one applying the last foot lock to Dominique in class yesterday, and I have medium confidence that I probably wasn't doing that one the best.
We were in 50/50, his right leg was in my right arm pit(same side)(we don't do heel hooks much for those wondering), and as I recall I was maybe 1/2 on my left side and he was posturing up into me, I let it go and went for a sweep from 50/50. Feel free to critique.
It was decent pressure, but I also wonder how much natural resistance Dominique has to ankle locks if he hasn't ever been tapped by one. I don't have a strong upper body and I also think Dominique is a tough guy to finish ankle locks on.
what say you Foot Loxsperts.

[Chris Herzog]

Quote Originally Posted by Dominic Prigan View Post
When I'm Rolling And Get Put In Am Ankle Lock I Don't Feel It. I Don't Know If I Should Just Tap Early Or If I Should Be Okay With It, I Mean I Don't Want My Ankle To Be Dislocated But I Don't Want To Just Tap For Something I don't Feel. I Need Some Advise On What To Do.


haha, well I was the one applying the last foot lock to Dominique in class yesterday, and I have medium confidence that I probably wasn't doing that one the best.
We were in 50/50, his right leg was in my right arm pit(same side)(we don't do heel hooks much for those wondering), and as I recall I was maybe 1/2 on my left side and he was posturing up into me, I let it go and went for a sweep from 50/50. Feel free to critique.
It was decent pressure, but I also wonder how much natural resistance Dominique has to ankle locks if he hasn't ever been tapped by one. I don't have a strong upper body and I also think Dominique is a tough guy to finish ankle locks on.
what say you Foot Loxsperts.

There are a number of small details to the straight ankle lock (and they vary slightly depending on whether you using it as a calf crush, achillies lock or the foot flex) that can be overlooked in the heat of battle. You were likely missing a detail.

[Kevin Green]

There are a number of small details to the straight ankle lock (and they vary slightly depending on whether you using it as a calf crush, achillies lock or the foot flex) that can be overlooked in the heat of battle. You were likely missing a detail.

Stephan Kesting has a dvd series out thats very good. Talks about this very topic as well as the differnt positions and control grips etc..cant recall the name of it but it was in two parts and took you from the basics all the way to advanced techniques and the cross over from legs locks to passing and sweeps...good vid series