Learn & Teach Leglocks while lowering injury risk
Everyone understands that Leglocks are now an undeniable part of Jiu Jitsu that must be understood. The problem becomes when learning and teaching these moves to beginners how can we do this as safely as possible lowering the risk of injury without lowering the effectiveness of the techniques we're teaching.
In this course my goal will be to show you how leglock training safety and combat effectiveness can go hand in hand. I've been practicing leglocks for over a decade and teaching professionally all around the world. With my years of experience I've worked out a series of ideas and strategies for making teaching leglocks safe and effective.
This is a difficult balance to strike and I will show you how to get there.
This should be your first leglock course:
For years I have been asked where to start learning leglocks. This course is my answer to that question. I've included everything about the fundamentals that I would teach to a student in person to get him or her up to speed with the core elements of the modern leglocking game.
Essential Leglock Defense
Understand the basis of modern leglock defense that will allow you to explore these techniques with confidence.
Apply Finishes Safely with Control
Know how to apply leglocks safely and when you need to tap. Don't worry: you won't be waiting until it hurts.
Understand Leglock Positions and Terms
Gain insight into the various positional names and terms you hear people say when talking about leglocks (Don't worry, you don't need to be fluent in Japanese).
Example Curriculum
- Introduction to the instructional (2:09)
- Overview of the contents of this instructional and how to use it (8:29)
- Terminological distinctions between primary/secondary legs & Defining the kneeline (9:56)
- How to train Leglocks Safely & When should you tap to a Leglock/ when to let go of one (24:28)
- Recognizing and Dealing with the most dangerous leglock situations for beginners (13:27)
- A general strategic overview to my approach to leglocks (5:58)
- Mechanical power, tactical plausibility and proactive / reactive attacks (9:49)
- Understanding the Main Leglock Positions and how we categorize them (15:41)
- Hip to hip connection (1:54)
- Comparing double seated vs upright vs grounded leglocking situations (7:15)
- Kuzushi and Offensive options in Standard Ashi Garami and X guard (47:04)
- Main Lower body Grips (7:32)
- Categorizing Leglocks into 3 Groups (6:44)
- The Basic subdivision of leglock defense and the double seated scenario (12:03)
- How to escape from a Kneeline (3:54)
- Ankle lock defense in a double seated situation (5:42)
- Ankle lock defense in an Upright situation (6:24)
- Pulling or Pushing with the legs (4:53)
- Hiding the Heel (the Turnout Escape) (9:00)
- Heel Slipping (7:36)
- Basic escape from Cross Ashi (4:06)
- How to create pressure from top against a bottom Cross Ashi (8:22)
- How to create pressure from top against a bottom Outside Ashi (7:38)
- 3 main Categories of Leg Entanglement Entries (6:54)
- Entry category 1: Introduction to entries through the legs with a butterfly guard elevation (12:39)
- Arm drag into Single leg X (3:35)
- Entry category 2: Introduction to Scissoring entries with the Kani Basami (9:23)
- Kani Basami from the top position (4:52)
- Entry category 3: Introduction to Reaping entries with an Outside Reap from K guard (5:42)
- The differences between inside and outside reaps (5:17)
- Using an Inside Reap from Butterfly Ashi (5:01)
- Kuzushi into Heel Exposure in the Outside Ashi against an upright opponent (13:01)
- Heel exposure situation 1: Heel exposure against an Upright Opponent (4:40)
- Intermediate level Cross Ashi digs (9:35)
- Cross Ashi submissions on the secondary leg (3:36)
- Cross Ashi to Inside Ashi to expose the heel immediately (5:56)
- Opening up the legs in a double seated 5050 (8:45)
- Heel exposure situation 2: Double seated Heel Exposure through Hip Height (7:21)
- Bottom 5050 when someone is on his or her knees over us (7:00)
Where to go next?
Check out the courses below:
After you have mastered the fundamentals outlined on this instructional next dive into any of these more advanced, specialized courses where we will study specific topics at greater length.
