How To Execute Hip Lock
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Hip Lock·ConwayToe2Toe Jiu-Jitsu
The hip lock, also known as "hip crank" or "hip pinch," is a powerful submission technique in grappling sports like Braz…
Hip Lock
Family股関節技(Koken Kansetsu-waza)
TraditionalTranslation: hip lock
Overview
Hip locks target the coxofemoral (hip) joint by forcing extreme abduction, adduction, or rotation of the femur within the hip socket. [1],[2] The hip is an inherently stable ball-and-socket joint with deep muscular support, making hip locks among the least common submissions in competition. Techniques include the electric chair (forcing hip abduction from lockdown half guard), hip compression locks from certain leg entanglements, and various hip-rotation attacks from back control or saddle positions. [3],[4] Hip locks are legal in most competition formats since they are not specifically prohibited, but their rarity reflects the difficulty of isolating and attacking such a well-protected joint.
History & Origin
Hip manipulation techniques appear in various grappling traditions, though they were rarely developed as primary submissions. [1] In catch wrestling, hip-stretching holds were used as part of ride-and-crank sequences. The electric chair — the most well-known modern hip lock — was popularized by Eddie Bravo within his 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, developed from the lockdown half-guard position. [2],[3] In Daito-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu and certain koryu jujutsu schools, hip control techniques were studied as part of comprehensive joint manipulation curricula. [4]
Effectiveness
Hip locks attack the hip joint through hyperextension or rotation, causing pain in the hip flexors and surrounding ligaments. [1]
Lineage
Hip locks appear in catch wrestling and sambo, though they are less commonly trained than other joint locks. [1]
Competition Record
Hip locks occasionally appear in advanced submission grappling and MMA competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Isolation of a joint and application of force beyond its natural range of motion
Joints Involved — Target joint (hyperextension or rotation), adjacent joints (stabilised to prevent escape)
Force Vector — Two-point control — one anchor stabilises while the other drives the joint past its normal limit
Leverage Principle — Grip configuration and body positioning create a mechanical advantage that multiplies applied force
Position & Entry
From dominant position — Isolate the target limb, secure the controlling grip, and apply force beyond the joint's range of motion
From guard (bottom) — Control the limb from guard position, configure the submission grip, and apply the lock
From transition — During a scramble or positional change, catch the exposed limb and lock the submission
Variants
Standard variation — primary grip configuration and finishing angle
Gi variation — using the gi material for grip assistance and control
No-gi variation — adapted grips for submission grappling without the gi
Transition variation — applied during a positional change or scramble
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Hip locks are rare submissions that attack the hip joint through forced rotation or extension
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
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
✓Hip locks attack the hip joint through hyperextension, rotation, or compression — targeting the largest joint in the body (Danaher, New Wave Jiu Jitsu, 2020)
✓The hip joint is extremely strong and has a wide range of motion — hip locks require significant leverage and precise positioning to be effective
✓The most common hip lock position occurs in the electric chair: the attacker loads the opponent's leg over their shoulder and drives upward — hyperextending the hip
✓Hip locks from the truck position (back ride with leg entanglement) apply rotational force to the hip — combining spinal twist with hip rotation
✓The hip's ball-and-socket design makes it more resistant to locks than hinge joints (knee, elbow) — but it is vulnerable at its end range of motion
✓Hip locks in catch wrestling included the 'banana split' (groin stretch) — forcing both legs apart while controlling the torso
✓Hip lock submissions are rare in competition but appear as control tools: the threat of hip damage forces the opponent to give up position or accept a different submission
Common Mistakes
!Expecting hip locks to be as reliable as arm or leg locks — the hip joint is the strongest in the body; hip locks are lower percentage
!Applying without controlling the torso — the opponent can rotate their entire body to relieve hip pressure if the torso is free
!Using hip locks as primary attacks — they work best as secondary threats within a system (e.g., electric chair creates a sweep when the submission is defended)
!Applying aggressively in training — hip injuries are debilitating and slow to heal; apply hip locks with extra caution
!Not understanding the hip's range of motion — the hip moves in multiple planes; effective locks must attack at the end range of the specific movement
!Confusing hip locks with groin stretches — the submission attacks the hip capsule and ligaments, not the adductor muscles
!Holding hip lock positions without finishing — if the lock isn't working, use the position for a sweep or transition rather than forcing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kosen Judo / Shooto; Daito-ryu hip control
1BookKosen Judo / Shooto; Daito-ryu hip control
Japanese terminology sourced from Kosen Judo / Shooto; Daito-ryu hip control
2OtherShooto (Japanese MMA)
Japanese MMA pioneer organization — technique terminology
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)
5CitationKosen Judo / Shooto; Daito-ryu hip control
Japanese terminology sourced from Kosen Judo / Shooto; Daito-ryu hip control
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength, joint isolation ability, positional control
Favours
strong forearms and stable base
Key muscles
forearm flexors, core stabilisers, hip muscles for base
Notes
Hip locks (the 'banana split' and similar groin-stretching submissions) attack the hip joint through forced abduction. Legal in ADCC and some no-gi competitions but banned in IBJJF. The truck position and spladle are the primary hip lock entry positions. (ADCC Rules; IBJJF Rules v6.0)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you set up and apply a hip lock?
From a basic guard break position, place the blade of your foot between your opponent's legs and bend your knee. Slide in as if going for a knee bar, then turn your hip to apply pressure that targets either the knee or hip joint.
What happens if my opponent escapes the hip lock?
If they straighten their leg to escape, it typically gives you access to either a knee bar or toe hold from the same position. ConwayToe2Toe Jiu-Jitsu notes that escaping the hip lock can also transition you into a knee block.
What's the correct direction to sweep the leg in a hip lock?
Sweep the blade of the foot toward your opponent's belly button rather than pulling it to the side. This proper mechanics positioning is key to maintaining control and maximizing the submission threat.
How does the Hip Lock work?
Hip locks target the coxofemoral (hip) joint by forcing extreme abduction, adduction, or rotation of the femur within the hip socket. The hip is an inherently stable ball-and-socket joint with deep muscular support, making hip locks among the least common submissions in competition.
Where does the Hip Lock come from?
Hip manipulation techniques appear in various grappling traditions, though they were rarely developed as primary submissions. In catch wrestling, hip-stretching holds were used as part of ride-and-crank sequences.
Is the Hip Lock legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; 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 Hip Lock?
Danger rating 7/10. Hip locks are rare submissions that attack the hip joint through forced rotation or extension
How do I set up the Hip Lock?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the Hip Lock?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Hip Lock?
Common variants: Standard variation (primary grip configuration and finishing angle); Gi variation (using the gi material for grip assistance and control); No-gi variation (adapted grips for submission grappling without the gi); Transition variation (applied during a positional change or scramble).
How effective is the Hip Lock in competition?
Hip locks occasionally appear in advanced submission grappling and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Hip Lock?
Top errors to watch for: Expecting hip locks to be as reliable as arm or leg locks — the hip joint is the strongest in the body; hip locks are… / Applying without controlling the torso — the opponent can rotate their entire body to relieve hip pressure if the tor… / Using hip locks as primary attacks — they work best as secondary threats within a system (e.g., electric chair create… / Applying aggressively in training — hip injuries are debilitating and slow to heal; apply hip locks with extra caution.
What are other names for the Hip Lock?
The Hip Lock is also known as Koken Kansetsu-waza, Hip Joint Lock, Koshi-kansetsu, Hip Submission.