HONEY STICK - Leg Lock Entry Concepts
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Rolling Entry·James Clingerman
Here are some more entries for the Honey Stick position—including De La Riva X, Shin-On-Shin, Full Mount, and a Knee On …
Rolling Entry
Groupローリングエントリー(Rōringu Entorī)
Translation: Rolling entry
Overview
Rolling Entry takedowns are techniques where the attacker uses a forward or lateral roll to rapidly close distance and enter into leg entanglements, takedowns, or submission positions — sacrificing standing position for immediate ground engagement. [1] The most famous rolling entry is the Imanari Roll, named after Japanese MMA fighter Masakazu Imanari, which transitions directly from standing into ashi garami (leg entanglement) positions for heel hook and knee bar attacks. [1],[2] Rolling entries gained prominence through the modern leg lock renaissance, where the Danaher Death Squad (Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Eddie Cummings) demonstrated that entering leg entanglements from standing via rolling entries could bypass traditional takedown and guard-pulling dynamics. [2],[3] Rolling entries are high-risk, high-reward techniques — a successful roll immediately establishes a leg lock position, while a failed roll can leave the attacker in a disadvantaged bottom position. [3]
Rolling TakedownImanari RollRolling Entry Takedown
History & Origin
Rolling entries gained prominence through Masakazu Imanari, a Japanese MMA fighter who used his signature rolling entry to heel hook opponents in PRIDE, DREAM, and other Japanese MMA promotions starting in the early 2000s. [1] The technique gained broader adoption after the Danaher Death Squad (particularly Eddie Cummings and Garry Tonon) demonstrated rolling entries in Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) and ADCC competition from 2014 onward. [1],[2] Ryan Hall's UFC career further popularised the Imanari roll, with his rolling heel hook entries becoming some of the most analysed techniques in modern MMA. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Rolling entries are highly effective as surprise techniques, particularly in competition formats that allow heel hooks. [1] Ryan Hall has demonstrated the Imanari roll's effectiveness in the UFC, finishing multiple opponents with heel hooks entered via rolling entries. [2] In ADCC and EBI competition, rolling entries to leg entanglements have produced numerous submission victories at the highest level of no-gi grappling. [3]
Lineage
Competition Record
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Rapidly transitioning from standing to a ground entanglement position by rolling forward or sideways underneath the opponent, threading the legs around their legs to establish ashi garami control
Joints Involved — Shoulders (absorbing the rolling impact), hips (directing the roll angle and positioning for leg entanglement), legs (threading hooks around the opponent's legs to establish control)
Force Vector — Forward and downward (the roll drops below the opponent's centre of gravity), then lateral (threading the legs to create entanglement); the momentum of the roll provides the force to enter the entanglement
Rolling Mechanic — The attacker uses a misdirection (feinting a punch, reaching for a grip, or stepping forward) to disguise the rolling entry, then drops to a shoulder roll that threads their legs around one of the opponent's legs; the endpoint is an ashi garami position (inside sankaku, outside ashi, 50/50, or cross ashi) from which leg locks are immediately available
Position & Entry
Imanari roll — From standing at striking range, feint a punch or reach for a collar tie, then drop to a forward shoulder roll directly underneath the opponent, threading the near leg behind their lead leg and the far leg in front — ending in inside sankaku ashi garami with immediate heel hook access [1]
Rolling kneebar entry — From standing, reach for the opponent's near arm, drop to a side roll while threading the legs around their near leg, and end in a kneebar position with their leg trapped between your legs
Donkey guard roll — From standing close range, turn away from the opponent, invert onto your hands while threading legs around their leg, and establish inverted ashi garami — popularised by Jeff Glover
Videos
Rolling Tucked Leg Knee Lock
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Rolling Entry·welcomematstevescott
The Rolling Knee Lock is an effective and popular move and this tucked leg variation really helps in quickly applying th…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
High — rolling entries carry risk from the impact of the roll itself (shoulder and head), from landing in a disadvantaged position if the roll misses, and from the opponent sprawling or jumping over the rolling attacker; in MMA, a missed rolling entry can result in the attacker flat on their back with the opponent standing above them
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IJF — Legal takedown technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Legal in freestyle, may be restricted in Greco-Roma...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal — all takedowns permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF— 2 points
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Rolling entries require extensive mat time to develop comfort with the roll itself — practice the shoulder roll hundreds of times before adding the leg entanglement component [1]
✓Misdirection is essential — a naked rolling entry (without any setup) is easily avoided; use a feint (jab, collar tie reach, level change) to disguise the roll
✓Train the landing position, not just the roll — the purpose of the roll is to arrive in a specific ashi garami position; if you arrive in a random position, the roll was pointless
✓Timing against different stances — the rolling entry is most effective against a staggered stance where the lead leg is forward and accessible; against a square stance, the entry is more difficult
✓In MMA, rolling entries must account for the opponent's strikes — rolling into a knee or a kick from the standing opponent is dangerous; timing must factor in striking
✓Drill bail-out options — when the roll misses, you need a backup plan (guard pull, scramble to standing, turtle recovery); a missed roll without a bail-out is catastrophic
✓Practice at increasing speeds — start slow with a cooperative partner, then increase to full speed with mild resistance, then train in live sparring [2]
✓The Imanari roll works best against opponents who don't train leg locks — knowledgeable opponents can defend by stepping over or sprawling; diversify entries against experienced opponents
Common Mistakes
!Rolling without a setup — a telegraphed rolling entry is easily defended by stepping over, sprawling, or simply moving away
!Landing in the wrong position — the roll must end in a specific ashi garami position; arriving randomly on the ground without control is a failed technique
!Rolling at the wrong distance — too far away and you can't reach the opponent's legs; too close and you can't complete the roll; distance must be precise
!Head-first rolling — the roll should be on the shoulder, not the head; a head-first roll risks neck injury
!Not controlling the opponent's leg immediately — the moment the roll completes, the leg must be secured; any delay allows the opponent to disengage
!Using rolling entries as the only takedown tool — rolling entries should be one option in a broader takedown/engagement system; over-reliance becomes predictable
!Rolling in MMA without considering ground-and-pound — a missed rolling entry in MMA leaves the attacker on their back with the opponent standing; the positional disadvantage is severe
Related Techniques
Leg Lock (Heel Hook, Kneebar) — the primary submission targets after a successful rolling entryAshi Garami — the leg entanglement positions achieved through rolling entriesGuard Pull — a related concept of voluntarily going to the ground, though guard pulls enter guard rather than leg entanglementsTakedown — standing alternatives to rolling entries for initiating ground engagement
Counter Techniques
Step Over — simply stepping over the rolling attacker as they roll underneathSprawl — dropping the hips to prevent the attacker from reaching the legsBackstep — stepping backward out of the rolling rangeKnee Strike — in MMA, timing a knee against the rolling attackerLeg Lock Defence — even if the rolling entry is successful, having sound ashi garami escape knowledge neutralises the threat
Setup Chain
1Misdirect — feint a punch, level change, or grip to draw the opponent's attention away from the legs
2Identify Target Leg — determine which leg to attack based on the opponent's stance
3Execute Roll — commit to the rolling entry with proper shoulder roll mechanics
4Thread Hooks — immediately upon landing, thread the legs around the target leg to establish ashi garami
5Secure Control — establish the specific ashi garami variation (inside sankaku, outside ashi, 50/50)
6Attack Submission — apply the heel hook, toe hold, or kneebar from the secured position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Leg Lock Anthology (John Danaher, BJJ Fanatics instructional)
1BookMastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
Description sources — [1] Masakazu Imanari fight record and technique analysis [2] Danaher Death Squad competition records (EBI, ADCC 2015-2019) [3] Ryan Hall UFC fight record
2BookLeg Lock Anthology (Danaher, BJJ Fanatics instructional)
History sources — [1] Imanari's PRIDE/DREAM career [2] Eddie Cummings/Garry Tonon EBI competition [3] Ryan Hall UFC fights
3Bookvarious MMA and grappling competition records
4CitationMastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
Description sources — [1] Masakazu Imanari fight record and technique analysis [2] Danaher Death Squad competition records (EBI, ADCC 2015-2019) [3] Ryan Hall UFC fight record
5CitationLeg Lock Anthology (Danaher, BJJ Fanatics instructional)
History sources — [1] Imanari's PRIDE/DREAM career [2] Eddie Cummings/Garry Tonon EBI competition [3] Ryan Hall UFC fights
6Citationvarious MMA and grappling competition records
Community
Athletics
Requires
comfort with rolling/inversions, precise distance judgment, quick leg dexterity (threading hooks immediately after the roll), cardiovascular fitness (rolling entries in live situations are exhausting)
Favours
flexible athletes, good spatial awareness, leg lock knowledge (the roll is pointless without the submission finish)
Key muscles
shoulders (absorbing roll impact), core (directing roll angle and controlling body position), hip flexors (threading hooks), grip (controlling the opponent's leg after entry)
Sub-techniques
Notes
Rolling entries use forward rolls or inversion to enter leg lock positions — the Imanari Roll is the most famous. A modern development popularized by Masakazu Imanari and the Danaher Death Squad. High-risk entries that sacrifice position for immediate submission attacks. (Danaher, Enter the System; MMA/grappling competition records)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's a good position to catch someone's foot in a honey stick?
According to James Clingerman, crossing your opponent's foot is a strong setup for the honey stick, as it makes it very difficult for them to escape and creates a favorable position to attack with heel hooks.
How do I transition into a honey stick from a knee-on-belly escape?
James Clingerman teaches that you bump to create space, feed your leg through, and push the opponent's foot through while collecting their leg, which sets up the honey stick entry.
Why should I learn the honey stick?
James Clingerman describes it as a reliable defensive tool that's hard for opponents to escape from or defend against, making it a valuable move to have in your arsenal even as a last-resort option.
How does the Rolling Entry work?
Rolling Entry takedowns are techniques where the attacker uses a forward or lateral roll to rapidly close distance and enter into leg entanglements, takedowns, or submission positions — sacrificing standing position for immediate ground engagement. The most famous rolling entry is the Imanari Roll, named after Japanese MMA fighter Masakazu Imanari, which transitions directly from standing into ashi garami (leg entanglement) positions for heel hook and knee bar attacks.
Where does the Rolling Entry come from?
Rolling entries gained prominence through Masakazu Imanari, a Japanese MMA fighter who used his signature rolling entry to heel hook opponents in PRIDE, DREAM, and other Japanese MMA promotions starting in the early 2000s. The technique gained broader adoption after the Danaher Death Squad (particularly Eddie Cummings and Garry Tonon) demonstrated rolling entries in Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) and ADCC competition from 2014 onward.
Is the Rolling Entry legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal takedown technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: legal — Legal in freestyle, may be restricted in Greco-Roman depending on technique; Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: legal — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal — all takedowns permitted; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, scored as takedown (2 points)
How dangerous is the Rolling Entry?
Danger rating 6/10. Moderate-high — rolling entries carry risk from the impact of the roll itself (shoulder and head), from landing in a disadvantaged position if the roll misses, and from the opponent sprawling or jumping over the rolling attacker; in MMA, a missed rolling entry can result in the attacker flat on their back with the opponent standing above them
How do I set up the Rolling Entry?
The standard setup chain: Misdirect → Identify Target Leg → Execute Roll → Thread Hooks → Secure Control → Attack Submission.
How do I defend against the Rolling Entry?
Standard counters include: Step Over — simply stepping over the rolling attacker as they roll underneath / Sprawl — dropping the hips to prevent the attacker from reaching the legs / Backstep — stepping backward out of the rolling range / Knee Strike — in MMA, timing a knee against the rolling attacker.
What are the variants of the Rolling Entry?
Common variants: Imanari roll (the signature rolling entry named after Masakazu Imanari;…); Rolling kneebar (side roll to kneebar position on the opponent's near leg); Rolling ankle lock (forward roll to inside ashi garami for straight ankle lock); Donkey guard entry (inverted roll from standing to donkey guard (hands on mat…); Rolling back take (using a rolling entry to go behind the opponent rather th…); Flying scissor (kani basami) (rolling/jumping to scissor the opponent's legs; related t…).
How effective is the Rolling Entry in competition?
Rolling entries have produced numerous high-level finishes: Ryan Hall's UFC heel hook victories, Eddie Cummings' EBI performances, and Garry Tonon's submission grappling career all featured rolling entries as primary techniques.
What are common mistakes when doing the Rolling Entry?
Top errors to watch for: Rolling without a setup — a telegraphed rolling entry is easily defended by stepping over, sprawling, or simply movin… / Landing in the wrong position — the roll must end in a specific ashi garami position; arriving randomly on the ground… / Rolling at the wrong distance — too far away and you can't reach the opponent's legs; too close and you can't complet… / Head-first rolling — the roll should be on the shoulder, not the head; a head-first roll risks neck injury.
What are other names for the Rolling Entry?
The Rolling Entry is also known as Rōringu Entorī, Rolling Takedown, Imanari Roll, Rolling Entry Takedown.