Leg LockEntry/positionBelt: blue+Risk: moderateADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA
The 411, or Honey Hole, is a dominant inside leg entanglement offering high-percentage heel hooks and back takes. This entry transitions from standard ashi garami to the 411, maximizing control over the opponent's hips and limiting their defensive options.
Start
Ashi garami
End
411 / inside sankaku
Prerequisites: Ashi garami retention · Inside leg pummeling · Leg drag mechanics · Hip switching from supine guard
Steps
1
Control opponent's far hip from ashi garami
From standard ashi garami, use your outside leg to clamp tightly above their far knee, keeping your knee line above theirs and your foot hidden under their butt.
2
Establish inside leg pummel
Thread your inside leg (the one closest to their other leg) deep between their thighs, aiming for your knee to pass fully through so your shin is parallel to their hips.
3
Switch your hips and invert slightly
Rotate your hips so your belly faces their far knee, using your outside foot as a hook to assist the turn; keep your head close to their foot to prevent them from running away.
4
Triangle your legs for inside sankaku
Bring your inside leg’s foot over your outside shin and lock a tight triangle, pinching your knees together and curling your toes back to prevent their knee from slipping out.
5
Clamp and hide your feet
Point your toes outward and hide your feet beneath their far thigh, keeping your heel off their hip to avoid footlocks and maintaining tension in your triangle.
6
Control their far knee line
Use your top arm to anchor a scoop grip or C-grip on their far knee, pulling it over your hip line to prevent them from turning or rolling out.
7
Angle your hips for maximum control
Adjust your hips so you are perpendicular to their thigh, keeping your bottom knee line tight and your hips elevated to trap their leg between your thighs.
8
Secure upper body grips (optional)
If possible, post your elbow or grab their far hip to prevent them from rotating, further stabilizing the 411 position and setting up submissions.
Key details most people miss
The inside knee must pass fully through their legs before locking the triangle, or the opponent will easily slip their knee line.
Hiding your feet under their thigh is crucial to prevent them from attacking your feet or breaking your triangle.
Your hip angle should be perpendicular to their thigh, not square, to maximize rotational control and limit their ability to turn.
A scoop grip on their far knee dramatically increases back exposure and prevents common escapes.
Common mistakes
Failing to clear your knee line before tri-angling allows the opponent to extract their leg and escape.
Leaving your feet exposed outside their thigh enables them to counter with toe holds or straight ankle locks.
Locking the triangle loosely results in poor control and allows the opponent to rotate or roll out.
Not controlling their far knee lets them turn towards you and initiate a running man escape.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent posts and turns away (running man escape)
You do: Maintain a scoop grip on their far knee and follow their hips, pulling their knee over your hip line to block the turn.
They try: Opponent attacks exposed foot with a toe hold
You do: Hide your feet under their thigh immediately and keep your toes pointed outward, breaking any grip attempts with your free hand.
They try: Opponent tries to extract their knee line by pushing on your top knee
You do: Pinch your knees together tightly and elevate your hips, re-adjusting your triangle lock higher on their thigh.
They try: Opponent sits up to hand-fight and break your triangle
You do: Post on their far hip or use your elbow to block their torso, maintaining distance and triangle tension.
Drill prescription
5 rounds × 3 minutes; partner starts in ashi garami, top partner gives 40% resistance (active defense, no full escapes); goal: 5 clean 411 entries per round with full knee line control and triangle locked.
How the masters teach it
John Danaher
Pioneered systematic entries to the 411 as a central hub for leg attacks, emphasizing knee line retention and inside control.
BJJ Fanatics
Gordon Ryan
Refined the transition from ashi garami to 411 under live resistance, focusing on control for both heel hooks and back takes.