Foundation: The Calf Crank Mechanism

The calf crank is executed by positioning the shin against the back of the opponent's knee while applying pressure with the calf muscle, creating a highly effective submission. This technique originates from wrestling positions common in freestyle and folk-style wrestling that have been adapted into SAMBO submissions.

Setup: Creating Opening

The practitioner must first open the opponent's hips by pulling them forward slightly using collar and belt grips. This creates the necessary space to thread the leg through and achieve proper positioning for the lock.

Threading the Leg

The leg is slid through the opened space with the toe pointed downward, then settled onto the opponent's body. The practitioner maintains control throughout using the collar and belt grips at the nape of the neck and waist.

Finishing the Classic Version

The elbow is driven into the opponent's gluteal region while the shin is caught and pulled toward the buttocks, forcing the opponent down. The heel is then positioned at the back of the knee where the shin and calf compress the joint for the submission.

The Kepper Variation: Knee Drive Method

This more efficient variation eliminates the lacing step by driving the knee directly into the opponent's face after opening the hips. This creates faster entry and reduces unnecessary positioning movements.

Waist Control in the Variation

The hand is placed over the opponent's waist to prevent them from turning back into the practitioner and executing a double-leg takedown. This defensive positioning is critical to maintaining control during the submission attempt.

Cross-Legged Finishing Position

The second leg is slid across while the practitioner sits in a cross-legged position with a post hand on the opponent's hip. This seated configuration is particularly effective for shorter or less flexible practitioners and provides rapid, smooth submission pressure.

Key Efficiency Advantages

The Kepper variation eliminates looping movements and unnecessary lacing, allowing for quicker knee drive and immediate submission pressure. This streamlined approach makes the technique more accessible across different body types and flexibility levels while maintaining effectiveness.

SAMBO NEAR LEG BENT KNEE LOCK

welcomematstevescott

Stoner Control Calf Crank

2 min read·8 key moments·PT5M46S video

Key Takeaways

•Foundation: The Calf Crank Mechanism
•Setup: Creating Opening
•Threading the Leg
•Finishing the Classic Version

Sambo has a well-earned reputation for effective leglocks and lower body submission techniques. In this video, we show a popular and effective bent knee lock. This is a shortened version of a longer video on this subject, so be sure to go to our Sambo playlist or Leglock playlist to see the longer version. Go to www.amazon.com or www.ymaa.com to get Steve Scott's books THE JUDO ADVANTAGE and JUJI GATAME ENCYCLOPEDIA. Our channel was started in 2010 as an extension of our program at Welcome Mat. Welcome Mat was founded in 1969 by Steve Scott in Kansas City, Missouri, USA and has produced thousands of successful students, athletes and coaches in a variety of grappling sports. View over a thousand videos on the subjects of judo, freestyle judo, Shingitai Jujitsu, sambo, submission grappling and sport jujitsu on our Youtube channel. Browse through our playlists to see what we have on our channel. If a video is listed as "private" is it because that video is still in development or scheduled for later viewing. You can subscribe for free to our channel at http://youtube.com/user/welcomematstevescott. We strive to provide fundamentally sound and technically innovative skills and information on a variety of grappling sports. We appreciate your support! Please tell others about our channel. You can help support our channel by going to our online store and purchasing items. Go to http://www.WelcomeMatStore.com. We have a variety of books, shirts and other items for sale. Music for the Freestyle Judo show provided by YouTube Copyright Free Audio featuring "Fiend" by Sting and performed by the Jingle Punks and "All This Down Time" by Sting and performed by the Jingle Punks. Visit our club web site at http://www.WelcomeMatJudoClub. For information on the Judo Black Belt Association, go to http://www.judoblackbelt.com. Thank you for watching our video. Please tell others about our channel. Our videos are all original material and are copyrighted. Reproduction or showing these videos without the specific permission of Steve Scott is prohibited.

Related Techniques

EM Ankle Lock

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about stoner control calf crank?

This video covers foundation: the calf crank mechanism, setup: creating opening, threading the leg. It provides detailed instruction from welcomematstevescott.

How long does it take to learn stoner control calf crank?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.