Leg LockKnee submissionBelt: blue+Risk: highADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA
The outside heel hook is a rotational leg lock applied from outside ashi garami or 50-50, targeting the lateral knee ligaments. Its effectiveness and high breaking potential make it a staple in no-gi and submission-only formats, but it requires precise mechanics and awareness of legalities.
Start
Outside ashi garami / 50-50
End
Submission
Prerequisites: Ashi garami entry · Breaking mechanics basics · Control of secondary leg · Two-on-one heel grip
Steps
1
Establish Outside Ashi Garami
From seated, thread your inside leg deep across their hip, placing your knee outside their far thigh, and clamp your outside foot over their far hip with your heel tight. Pinch your knees to immobilize their leg.
2
Control the Secondary Leg
Use your outside arm to scoop or block their free leg, preventing them from turning or rolling out. A C-grip on their knee or shin is effective.
3
Secure the Heel Exposure
With your inside arm, reach over their foot and dig your wrist under their heel, rotating your forearm so your pinky knuckle lines up with their heel bone.
4
Lock the Two-on-One Heel Grip
Clamp your outside hand over your inside wrist, forming a tight two-on-one grip. Your inside elbow should be glued to your ribs, minimizing space.
5
Angle Your Hips for Breaking Pressure
Rotate your hips and shoulders so your body is perpendicular to their thigh, with your chest facing their toes. Keep your knee line above their knee to prevent escape.
6
Apply Rotational Force
Drive your heels into their hip to anchor, then rotate your upper body away from their knee while maintaining the heel grip, creating torque through their knee joint.
7
Finish with Controlled Extension
Gradually increase rotational pressure, keeping your knees pinched and your head low to avoid being kicked. Do not bridge—focus on rotation, not extension.
Key details most people miss
Heel exposure is critical—if their toes point up or they hide the heel, the lock is ineffective.
Your knee line must stay above their knee; if they slip their knee out, the submission is lost.
Pinching your knees and flexing your feet into their hip prevents them from spinning out.
The breaking force comes from torso rotation, not just pulling with the arms.
Control of the secondary leg is essential to prevent their escape or counter.
Common mistakes
Allowing their knee to slip below your knee line enables them to escape instantly.
Failing to control the free leg lets them roll or stand to relieve pressure.
Trying to finish with arm strength alone results in weak breaking mechanics and injury risk.
Leaving space between your chest and their foot allows them to hide their heel.
Bridging instead of rotating can cause loss of control and self-exposure to counters.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent rolls in the direction of the lock (running man escape)
You do: Maintain control of their secondary leg and follow their hips, keeping your knee line above theirs to prevent escape.
They try: Opponent hides their heel by pointing toes and rotating knee down
You do: Use your inside arm to pry their toes up and re-expose the heel before reattacking.
They try: Opponent kicks your grip off with their free leg
You do: Immediately switch to a double-trouble configuration, trapping both legs to regain control.
They try: Opponent backsteps out of ashi garami
You do: Follow their movement, transition to inside sankaku or re-attack with a knee bar as they rotate.
Drill prescription
6 rounds × 2 min; 50% resistance; alternate attacker/defender; goal: 4 clean heel exposures and controlled finishes per round, with defender actively attempting standard escapes.
How the masters teach it
John Danaher
Emphasizes systematic leg control, knee line retention, and precise rotational mechanics for maximum breaking power.
Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Gordon Ryan
Focuses on layered control and transition chains, especially double-trouble and secondary leg isolation.