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AdvancedHeel Hook
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About This Technique
Heel Hook Technique
The Heel Hook is a powerful submission technique primarily targeting the knee, utilizing the heel in conjunction with twisting force. It is often seen in no-gi grappling competitions and is a key tool in the arsenal of many leg-lock specialists.
Japanese Name
- N/A (Heel Hook doesn't have a widely recognized traditional Japanese name)
Positions
- Open Guard
- Half Guard
- Single Leg X (Ashigarami)
Position: Single Leg X (Ashigarami)
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Entering the position:
- Start from standing or seated guard as your opponent stands.
- Pull your opponent's ankle up while rotating your body to one side, aiming to hook the inside of their upper leg with your near leg.
- Your far leg should hook around your opponent's other leg, with your foot ideally placed near their hip.
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Securing the leg:
- Control the opponent's knee line by squeezing your thighs together to lock their knee in position.
- Use a firm grip with your hands to secure their heel.
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Forming the Heel Hook Grip:
- Reach over your opponent's foot, using your forearm to position their toes in the crook of your elbow.
- Wrap your wrist around the heel.
- Your opposite hand should reinforce this grip, focusing on clasping the wrist with a gable grip or an S-grip.
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Applying the submission:
- Rotate your shoulders and torso towards the leg you're controlling, creating a torque that directly affects the knee.
- Maintain control of the opponent's party above their knee, ensuring they can't spin or roll out to alleviate the pressure.
- Gradually increase the pressure, being mindful not to exert full force quickly to avoid undue injury.
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Finishing details:
- To increase the pressure further, elevate your own hips slightly while keeping their knee turned across your hip line.
- Ensure the knee remains immobilized as you apply the twisting force.
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Safety Note:
- Communicate and ensure the opponent taps when they feel significant pressure.
- Be aware that this submission can cause severe damage if applied with excessive force.
Safety Concerns
- Heel Hooks can result in serious knee injuries if not performed with control.
- Always practice with a knowledgeable partner who understands the risks.
- Not typically allowed in beginner-level competitions and certain BJJ franchises, especially when practiced in a gi.
Conclusion
The Heel Hook is an advanced technique requiring precise control and an understanding of body mechanics. When executed properly from positions like Single Leg X, it is a highly effective submission and a favorite among leg-lock enthusiasts. However, due caution must always be exercised when practicing or applying this technique due to its potentially dangerous nature.
How to Execute
# Heel Hook from Open Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Begin in an open guard position, with your opponent standing or in a combat base. Your goal is to create a favorable angle to attack their leg, typically using a De La Riva or Reverse De La Riva guard.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**: Secure a grip on your opponent’s leg by controlling their ankle with one hand. Use your other hand to control their knee or thigh, ensuring you can manage their movement and prevent them from stepping away or closing distance.
## Steps
1. **Create an Angle**: Use your legs to off-balance your opponent slightly, creating space. If you are using a De La Riva guard, use your outside leg to hook around the far side of their leg.
2. **Invert Underneath**: Begin to invert your body underneath your opponent by rotating on your back. Use your grips and leg positioning to pull yourself underneath and align your body with their leg.
3. **Secure the Leg**: As you invert, use your inside leg to hook over their thigh, effectively trapping their leg. Your outside leg should come over the top, creating a figure-four control around their knee and lower leg.
4. **Establish Control**: Use your arm to secure a grip on their heel. Your elbow should be tight against your opponent’s toes, ensuring you have control over the foot.
5. **Apply the Heel Hook**: Rotate your body towards your opponent’s trapped leg while simultaneously applying pressure with your hands to twist their foot. The pressure should come from the rotation of your body and the leverage of your grips.
6. **Finish**: As the pressure builds, ensure you maintain a tight grip and control over their leg. The movement should be smooth but controlled, ensuring their knee joint is isolated and at risk of hyperextension.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Always maintain tight control over your opponent’s leg to prevent them from escaping or relieving pressure.
- Ensure your hips are close to theirs to maintain leverage and control.
- The figure-four leg control is crucial for immobilizing their knee joint.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Do not apply the submission too quickly; heel hooks can cause severe injury if not controlled.
- Avoid losing control of their knee joint, as this will allow them to spin or escape the submission attempt.
- Ensure your grips are secure and your elbow is tight against their toes, maximizing control over their foot.
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