Birth Place of The Reaper leg lock series.

[Chris Herzog]

I've had a number of people ask where I came up with the Reaper Leg Lock Series, but when I tell them, they don't believe me. The idea spawned back in 93 when I learned a technique called Ashi Garami, which is part of a Judo Kata called "Katame no Kata". The technique is illegal in Judo competition and is only practiced as part of Kata training. I remember immediately thinking there was way more potential for it than just kata practice, I still remember getting scolded for adding heel hooks to it during practice

Every since that day I've been fascinated with developing it into practical transitions.

[Chris Herzog]

Starts at the 1:50 mark.

[Cookie Monster]

this is awesome!

i love seeing the evolution of moves!

[AJ Camacho]

Pretty interesting stuff. Do you know why it was banned?

[Chris Herzog]

Pretty interesting stuff. Do you know why it was banned?

All leg locks are illegal in Judo. As to why they were originally banned, "safety", but I call BS, Judo has very ugly politics, and one of the main reasons I've pulled away from the main stream Judo world. Its become common place in Judo to make techniques illegal rather than problem solving and coming up with ways to deal with them. Recently double legs, single legs and any kind of leg picks (other than those that are part of a combination that wasn't initiated by a grab below the waist) have been banned, its become depressing to watch Judo deteriorate (which is my opinion of course). I do not think Jigoro Kano would approve.

[Chris Herzog]

Another example:
In the late 60's early 70's the Russians stormed into the Judo scene (mostly with Sambo backgrounds) they brought a brutal style with unorthodox grips and methods of attacking. The Japanes were not happy that they were longer the only power house in Judo. Rather than adapting to the Russian's aggresive style, they started changing the rules, to limit the Russians style of play.

[AJ Camacho]

I figured that was the reason. A lot of times excessive concerns for injury will be touted as an explanation but Judo is a finicky game that way. It's a shame that they just implemented those new rules. A lot of the wrestlers at my Shingitai gym (since we're tied into the Judo club association here) really wanted to have a go at the local Judo tournaments but the banning of wrestling takedowns really has dissuaded them from entering anything. The younger wrestlers would even get reprimanded during a match by the refs for standing in a wrestler's posture.

Judo really blew it. It had just picked up momentum as a respectable base for MMA and then they went and pulled that crap. Steve Scott is trying to push his freestyle judo rule set to compensate but I don't know how much momentum that will gather when they are competing against the growing number of submission grappling and BJJ tournaments in the area.

[Chris Herzog]

Steve's a great guy, but I don't see freestyle Judo going any further than a few small tournaments here and there.
Didn't know you were a Shingitai guy, I had my 2nd degree blackbelt in Shingitai Jujitsu, before I moved on.

[J Grooms]

I love your leg lock series Coach Herzog... Do you happen to be friends with Sambo Steve?

[Chris Herzog]

I love your leg lock series Coach Herzog... Do you happen to be friends with Sambo Steve?

Yep Steve and I are buddies