The First Five Leg Attacks You Need | Jiu-Jitsu Submissions
0
EM Ankle Lock·Knight Jiu-Jitsu
We have learned by now not to ignore 50% of the human body. But where to start with leg attacks? In this video, I show s…
EM Ankle Lock
SubFamilyEMアンクルロック(EM Ankuru Rokku)
Translation: EM ankle lock
Overview
The EM Ankle Lock is an ankle lock entered through the Electric Chair series, attacking the foot when the opponent defends the Electric Chair sweep or submission. [1]
Electric Move Ankle LockEM Lock
History & Origin
Developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet submission system. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in EBI and professional MMA competition. [1]
Lineage
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu; Eddie Bravo. [1]
Competition Record
Used in EBI and UFC competition
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — EM Ankle Lock-specific submission mechanics from rubber guard
Position & Entry
From rubber guard — Transition through positions to EM Ankle Lock
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
Straight Ankle Lock for White Belts (Powerful Details for More Finishes)
0
EM Ankle Lock·Chewjitsu
As leg locks become more and more popular in BJJ a common question from newer White Belts is "Should I learn leg locks?"…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The EM Ankle Lock, also referred to as the straight ankle lock, is a foundational leg-lock submission that attacks the ankle joint by applying perpendicular pressure to the Achilles tendon with the forearm. Both Knight Jiu-Jitsu and Chewjitsu emphasize similar mechanical principles: the attacker must position the foot low, with the opponent's toes tucked into the armpit rather than high on the calf, to ensure force targets the joint rather than muscle tissue. Knight Jiu-Jitsu describes the grip as "guillotine style," achieved by wrapping the hands in a rear-naked-choke configuration, while Chewjitsu details both guillotine and figure-four grip options and notes that a gi collar can be used to control an opponent who sits up. Both instructors advocate finishing with lateral shoulder movement to the floor and hip extension, with Knight Jiu-Jitsu emphasizing leading with the head while Chewjitsu stresses pinching the knees tight and turning face-down for full extension. Entry points differ slightly: Knight Jiu-Jitsu shows setup from open guard with foot positioning, while Chewjitsu presents entries from passing positions and sweep variations. Chewjitsu uniquely addresses competition legality for white belts and warns against the "reap" penalty by controlling hip placement with the non-attacking leg. Both acknowledge the technique's accessibility and effectiveness as a competition submission across belt levels.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Knight Jiu-Jitsu — The First Five Leg Attacks You Need | Jiu-Jitsu Submissions: Detailed mechanics of foot positioning, grip styles (guillotine and figure-four), and finishing with lateral shoulder and head-lead hip extension; showed entries from open guard and transitions to saddle position.
- Chewjitsu — Straight Ankle Lock for White Belts (Powerful Details for More Finishes): Emphasized low ankle positioning (toes in armpit), multiple grip options and collar control, entries from passing and sweep positions, competition legality, and reap penalty avoidance through hip and secondary-leg placement.
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Submission with fight-ending potential
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— straight ankle lock
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Requires solid rubber guard foundation (Bravo, 2006)
✓Chain with other 10th Planet attacks
Common Mistakes
!Rushing without proper position
!Losing leg control before finishing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Rubber guard → Position chain → EM Ankle Lock
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
1Book[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
2Citation[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
[1] Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) — technique description and application
Community
Athletics
Hip flexibility
Grip endurance
Body control
Notes
The EM Ankle Lock is a 10th Planet leg lock documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard. Part of Bravo's leg attack system integrated with the half guard and rubber guard positions. (Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard, 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I position my body when applying an ankle lock?
Chewjitsu emphasizes keeping your body low and positioned directly on the ankle joint, not high up on the calf. If you can see the opponent's toes when looking over your shoulder, you're positioned too high, which can lead to nasty calf snaps rather than controlled ankle submissions.
How should I grip and finish an ankle lock?
Tuck the opponent's toes into your armpit and use a bicep flex position to control the leg. When finishing, pinch your knees tight, turn face-down, and get full extension to maximize the break potential, as Knight Jiu-Jitsu also recommends using a guillotine-style grip on the foot.
What's the proper foot placement for my non-attacking leg in an ankle lock?
Chewjitsu stresses that you should cup your non-attacking foot around the opponent's hip like a hand for control, and avoid casually placing it in the center of their body, as this creates vulnerability to heel hook counters and reduces control of the opponent's leg.
When should white belts start learning ankle locks?
Chewjitsu recommends white belts learn ankle locks early for both safety and competitive preparation, as learning leg locks for the first time at higher belt levels is ineffective. If you commit to mastering leg locks, dive in fully rather than dabbling casually.
How does the EM Ankle Lock work?
The EM Ankle Lock is an ankle lock entered through the Electric Chair series, attacking the foot when the opponent defends the Electric Chair sweep or submission.
Where does the EM Ankle Lock come from?
Developed by Eddie Bravo as part of the 10th Planet submission system.
Is the EM Ankle Lock legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels (straight ankle lock); IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the EM Ankle Lock?
Danger rating 8/10. Submission with fight-ending potential
How do I set up the EM Ankle Lock?
The standard setup chain: Rubber guard → Position chain → EM Ankle Lock.
How do I defend against the EM Ankle Lock?
Standard counters include: Posture / Stack / Guard pass.
How effective is the EM Ankle Lock in competition?
Used in EBI and UFC competition
What are common mistakes when doing the EM Ankle Lock?
Top errors to watch for: Rushing without proper position / Losing leg control before finishing.
What are other names for the EM Ankle Lock?
The EM Ankle Lock is also known as EM Ankuru Rokku, Electric Move Ankle Lock, EM Lock.