Put the boot in
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Boot Defence·Tommy Moore: Bartitsu Lab, Boxing & Gutterfighting
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Boot Defence
SubFamilyブーツディフェンス(Būtsu Difensu)
TransliterationTranslation: boot defence
Overview
The Boot Defence subfamily covers the technique of hiding the foot from the opponent's grip by curling the toes, pointing the foot, and tucking the heel behind the opponent's body or thigh. [1] The boot is the first-line defence against heel hooks and ankle locks — by preventing the opponent from accessing and controlling the foot, the submission cannot be applied. [1],[2] The boot defence requires the defender to actively manage foot position throughout any leg entanglement, treating the foot like a hand that must be kept safe from grips. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Boot defence hides the foot by turning the toes inward to prevent heel hook and ankle lock entries. [1]
Lineage
Boot defence became critical with the rise of heel hook attacks in no-gi competition. [1]
Competition Record
Essential in ADCC and no-gi competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using foot positioning to control range and angles — maintaining optimal distance relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Ankles (pivot and directional changes), knees (level maintenance), hips (balance and weight distribution)
Force Vector — Multi-directional — lateral steps, pivots, and retreats adjust distance and angle simultaneously
Distance Principle — Managing the distance between fighters is the most fundamental defensive skill — controlling range dictates which techniques are available
Position & Entry
From clinch or ground — When the opponent secures a controlling grip, use two-on-one, stripping, or peeling motions to break their hold
As preemptive defence — Break the opponent's grip before they can execute their intended technique
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Submission defence involves resisting joint locks/chokes; risk of injury if defence fails or is delayed
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to g...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal defensive action
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— UWW — Legal defensive technique
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Boot defence (hiding the heel) is the immediate, first-response defence against heel hooks — point the toes, flex the ankle, and turn the foot inward to deny access to the heel (Danaher, Leg Lock System, 2018)
✓The boot works by creating tension in the ankle that prevents the opponent from rotating the heel for the hook
✓Point your toes toward the opponent and actively plantarflex (point the foot like a ballerina) — this makes the heel harder to expose
✓Combine the boot with knee straightening — the heel hook requires both heel access and a bent knee for full force
✓The boot is your first response, not your only response — while hiding the heel, work to clear the entanglement
✓In no-gi, the boot is easier to maintain because there's no pant grip to pull the foot
✓Train the boot as an automatic reflex — any time you feel the opponent gripping your foot, boot immediately
✓The boot also partially defends against toe holds by limiting the opponent's ability to twist the ankle
Common Mistakes
!Relaxing the foot while defending — the boot requires active ankle tension; any relaxation gives the opponent access
!Flexing the foot upward (dorsiflexion) instead of pointing down — dorsiflexion exposes the heel for the hook
!Not combining the boot with leg straightening — the boot alone doesn't prevent all heel hook angles
!Hiding the heel but not working to escape — the boot buys time; use it to pummel legs and clear the entanglement
!Pointing the toes away from the opponent — point toward them; this turns the heel to the inside where it's safer
!Training the boot only on one side — heel hooks attack both legs; drill the boot bilaterally
!Relying on the boot against toe holds — while it helps, the toe hold grip is different and may bypass the boot
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Anticipate the Attack — read the opponent's intention through body cues
2Execute Defence — apply the specific defensive technique with proper timing
3Recover Stance — return to a balanced fighting position immediately
4Counter or Disengage — capitalize on the opening or create safe distance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Boxing (Edwin Haislet, 1940)
1BookLeg Locks: Enter the System (Danaher, 2019)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie, 2001)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationLeg Locks: Enter the System (Danaher, 2019)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Danaher, 2012) [3] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie, 2001)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip fighting technique, forearm endurance, timing
Favours
strong hands and forearms, quick stripping motions
Key muscles
forearm flexors/extensors, wrist rotators, biceps
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is boot defence considered important in historical combatives?
Tommy Moore notes that boot defence was massively important in World War II combatives training, as many soldiers in those theaters wore large, heavy boots that were effective weapons.
Why do I need to practice kicking technique specifically?
According to Tommy Moore, kicking a human isn't as intuitive as people think, so it requires dedicated practice time to develop proper execution.
Should I practice kicks against a downed opponent?
Tommy Moore emphasizes that kicks to a downed opponent are something you must practice, and recommends using a grappling dummy or bob to develop this skill safely.
How does the Boot Defence work?
The Boot Defence subfamily covers the technique of hiding the foot from the opponent's grip by curling the toes, pointing the foot, and tucking the heel behind the opponent's body or thigh. The boot is the first-line defence against heel hooks and ankle locks — by preventing the opponent from accessing and controlling the foot, the submission cannot be applied.
Where does the Boot Defence come from?
Boot defence became a critical technical concept with the rise of modern leg lock systems. The Danaher Death Squad's systematic approach to leg locks brought equal emphasis on leg lock defence, with the boot concept becoming a fundamental teaching point in defensive leg lock training.
Is the Boot Defence legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal — defensive techniques are fundamental to grappling; IJF: legal — Legal defensive action; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal defensive technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Boot Defence?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — submission defence involves resisting joint locks/chokes; risk of injury if defence fails or is delayed
How do I set up the Boot Defence?
The standard setup chain: Anticipate the Attack → Execute Defence → Recover Stance → Counter or Disengage.
How do I defend against the Boot Defence?
Standard counters include: Timing — attack when the defence is recovering or between movements / Feint — use deception to create openings in the defensive structure / Angle Change — attack from an unexpected angle that the defence does not cover.
What are the variants of the Boot Defence?
Common variants: Standard defence (primary defensive technique from the most common position); Reactive defence (triggered by the opponent's attack, minimal movement for …); Proactive defence (anticipating the attack and positioning to neutralise it …); Counter defence (using the defensive movement to create an immediate count…).
How effective is the Boot Defence in competition?
Essential in ADCC and no-gi competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Boot Defence?
Top errors to watch for: Relaxing the foot while defending — the boot requires active ankle tension; any relaxation gives the opponent access / Flexing the foot upward (dorsiflexion) instead of pointing down — dorsiflexion exposes the heel for the hook / Not combining the boot with leg straightening — the boot alone doesn't prevent all heel hook angles / Hiding the heel but not working to escape — the boot buys time; use it to pummel legs and clear the entanglement.
What are other names for the Boot Defence?
The Boot Defence is also known as Būtsu Difensu, Boot Escape, Foot Lock Boot, Ankle Lock Boot Defence.