The Secret Grip That Craig Jones Uses To Defend Heel Hooks And Leg Attacks
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Ankle Lock Escape·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Learn the secret grip that Craig Jones uses to defend Heel Hooks and Leg Attacks - Click Here To Check Out Craig Jones's…
Ankle Lock Escape
SubFamily足首固め逃げ(Ashikubi-gatame Nige)
TraditionalTranslation: ankle lock escape
Overview
The Ankle Lock Escape subfamily covers techniques for escaping the straight ankle lock (ashi-gatame), where the attacker hyperextends the ankle joint by controlling the foot against the wrist or forearm while applying hip pressure. [1] Ankle lock escapes typically involve clearing the foot from the attacker's grip, straightening the trapped leg to relieve the hyperextension angle, or kicking the foot free while controlling the attacker's body. [1],[2] Because the straight ankle lock is legal at all belt levels in most grappling rulesets, ankle lock escapes are among the first submission escapes taught. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Ankle lock escapes use boot positioning (hiding the foot) and hip movement to strip the grip or escape the entanglement. [1]
Lineage
Ankle lock escapes are fundamental in BJJ and judo. [1]
Competition Record
Ankle lock defence is essential in BJJ competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Creating space and movement to transition from an inferior to a neutral or superior position
Joints Involved — Hips (primary escape engine through bridging and shrimping), elbows (frames), knees (guard recovery)
Force Vector — Bridging (upward), shrimping (lateral), or inversion (rotational) — creating space is the fundamental escape principle
Escape Mechanic — Timing the escape with the opponent's weight shift or attack attempt maximises success rate
Position & Entry
From opponent's leg entanglement — Clear the knee line — extract the knee past the opponent's hip line to remove the submission threat
From heel hook — Turn the foot in the direction of the rotation to relieve pressure, fight to free the heel
From ankle lock — Stand up and push the hips forward to reduce the angle, kick the foot free
Videos
Straight Ankle Lock And Counter Against Common Escape
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Ankle Lock Escape·Chewjitsu
www.Chewjitsu.net The straight ankle is a must have for every grappler. It is a fundamental technique that can set the…
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Submission escapes carry risk of injury if executed too late; timing-critical
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive/transitional technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— NCAA Folkstyle — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal s...
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Ankle lock escape addresses the straight ankle lock (Achilles lock) — the most fundamental leglock submission (Danaher, Leg Lock System, 2018)
✓The primary escape: point the toes toward the opponent (dorsiflexion), sit up to relieve the extension pressure, and clear the grip
✓The sitting-up motion is the key mechanic — the ankle lock requires you to be leaning back; sitting up removes the choking force on the Achilles tendon
✓Combine sitting up with gripping the opponent's near-side arm or collar — this helps pull yourself upright
✓The boot (pointing toes toward the opponent) locks the ankle in a strong position that resists the extension
✓Once upright, break the opponent's grip on your foot and extract your leg from their ashi garami
✓The ankle lock escape also prevents the opponent from transitioning to a heel hook — sitting up denies the rotation needed
✓Drill ankle lock escapes from standard ashi garami and 50/50 positions
Common Mistakes
!Leaning back when caught in the ankle lock — this tightens the Achilles pressure; sit up instead
!Trying to kick the foot free — the opponent's grip combined with their legs makes kicking ineffective
!Not pointing the toes toward the opponent — toe position matters for structural ankle defence
!Sitting up without addressing the grip — break the grip as you sit up
!Not clearing the entanglement after escaping the lock — the opponent will transition to another leglock
!Ignoring the heel hook threat — the same position allows both ankle lock and heel hook; hide the heel while escaping
!Using only one hand to sit up — use both hands (gripping the opponent or the mat) for maximum upward force
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Create Space — use frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Control — break or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escape — apply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Position — establish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookLeg Locks: Enter the System (Danaher, 2019)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986) [3] Leg Locks: Enter the System (John Danaher, 2017)
2BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationLeg Locks: Enter the System (Danaher, 2019)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986) [3] Leg Locks: Enter the System (John Danaher, 2017)
6CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip fighting ability, hip mobility for sliding to the mat, chin defence
Favours
strong hands for grip fighting, flexible hips
Key muscles
forearms (grip fighting), core, hip flexors, neck
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key grip to prevent heel hooks and leg attacks when escaping an ankle lock?
Take a tight waist grip on your opponent's far hip. This grip is essential to control their positioning and prevent them from executing heel hooks or other leg attacks as you work to escape and pass.
How do I escape an ankle lock if we're both sitting down?
You can use a scoop grip under the knee to escape without risk of counter attack, according to Craig Jones's technique demonstrated by Bernardo Faria.
What should I do with my leg position when my opponent tries to push my foot away to escape?
Bring your knee to your chest and post your foot on the hip to maintain control of the ankle lock and prevent the escape, as shown in the Chewjitsu counter-escape technique.
How does the Ankle Lock Escape work?
The Ankle Lock Escape subfamily covers techniques for escaping the straight ankle lock (ashi-gatame), where the attacker hyperextends the ankle joint by controlling the foot against the wrist or forearm while applying hip pressure. Ankle lock escapes typically involve clearing the foot from the attacker's grip, straightening the trapped leg to relieve the hyperextension angle, or kicking the foot free while controlling the attacker's body.
Where does the Ankle Lock Escape come from?
Ankle lock escapes have been part of grappling defence since the ankle lock was developed in judo and catch wrestling. Their importance increased as the ankle lock became one of the most commonly applied leglocks in both gi and no-gi competition.
Is the Ankle Lock Escape legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point (freestyle), reversal scores 1 point; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal scores 2 points
How dangerous is the Ankle Lock Escape?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — submission escapes carry risk of injury if executed too late; timing-critical
How do I set up the Ankle Lock Escape?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Ankle Lock Escape?
Standard counters include: Maintain Pressure — keep consistent weight distribution to limit escape space / Anticipate Direction — read escape attempt direction and block early / Transition — flow to a new position when the current one is threatened.
What are the variants of the Ankle Lock Escape?
Common variants: Slide to side (choking-arm side) (fighting hands and sliding hips to the mat on the choking…); Peel-and-turn (stripping the seatbelt grip and turning into the opponent); Trap-arm escape (trapping one arm and rolling to pin the opponent's back); Body triangle escape (addressing the body triangle lock before escaping the hooks).
How effective is the Ankle Lock Escape in competition?
Ankle lock defence is essential in BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ankle Lock Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Leaning back when caught in the ankle lock — this tightens the Achilles pressure; sit up instead / Trying to kick the foot free — the opponent's grip combined with their legs makes kicking ineffective / Not pointing the toes toward the opponent — toe position matters for structural ankle defence / Sitting up without addressing the grip — break the grip as you sit up.
What are other names for the Ankle Lock Escape?
The Ankle Lock Escape is also known as Ashikubi-gatame Nige, Straight Ankle Lock Defense, Ashi Garami Escape, Foot Lock Escape.