Honey Hole Position Top, also known as Inside Sankaku or 411 position, is an advanced leg entanglement where the top player traps one of opponent’s legs between their own legs while facing their opponent. This position is highly offensive, providing direct access to heel hooks, kneebars, and toe holds while limiting opponent’s escape options. The position creates a powerful control system through hip pressure and leg configuration, making it one of the most dangerous positions in modern no-gi BJJ.
The Honey Hole represents the culmination of modern leg lock development, pioneered by John Danaher and his students. From this position, the top player maintains significant control advantages while threatening multiple submission paths. The position is characterized by the specific leg entanglement where one leg triangles around opponent’s trapped leg while the other leg crosses over their hip, creating a figure-four configuration that isolates the leg for attack.
This position excels in no-gi grappling and submission-only rulesets where leg attacks are permitted. It requires careful control and technical precision to maintain while setting up submissions. The risk level is medium because improper execution can result in counter-entanglements or leg lock exposure for the attacker. The position’s effectiveness stems from its ability to create mechanical disadvantage for the defender while establishing multiple submission threats simultaneously.
Position Definition
- One opponent leg trapped in figure-four configuration between your legs, with your inside leg triangling around their thigh just above the knee while your ankle hooks behind their leg, creating an inescapable entanglement that prevents leg extraction
- Your outside leg crosses over opponent’s hip at approximately mid-thigh level with your shin driving downward across their hip flexor, creating constant pressure that pins their hip to the mat and prevents rotational escapes
- Perpendicular body alignment maintained in T-shape relative to opponent, with your shoulders and upper body positioned at roughly 90 degrees to their torso, your chest facing toward their trapped leg while your head is positioned away from their free leg to avoid counters
Prerequisites
- Understanding of leg entanglement hierarchy and progressions from ashi garami through saddle variations
- Heel hook mechanics and safety protocols including proper finish mechanics and tap recognition
- Hip mobility for maintaining entangled position while creating pressure and angle adjustments
- Grip strength for controlling opponent’s leg and upper body to prevent escapes
- Knowledge of entry sequences from X-guard, single leg X, or ashi garami positions
- Understanding of leg reaping rules and competition legality (IBJJF brown/black belt no-gi only)
Key Offensive Principles
- Leg Configuration Control: Maintain proper figure-four entanglement with inside leg triangling and outside leg crossing hip
- Hip Pressure: Apply constant downward hip pressure to pin opponent and prevent rotation
- Distance Management: Control space between bodies to facilitate submissions while preventing counter-attacks
- Upper Body Control: Secure opponent’s upper body with grips or frames to limit defensive reactions
- Submission Progression: Build attacks systematically from control to breaking mechanics to finish
- Escape Prevention: Anticipate common escape attempts (hip rotation, leg extraction) and maintain control adjustments
- Positional Patience: Maintain control under pressure without rushing submissions, letting position create submission opportunities
Available Attacks
Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 55%
- Intermediate: 70%
- Advanced: 85%
Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Kneebar Finish → Kneebar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Toe Hold from Top → Toe Hold Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Turtle to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Calf Slicer from Truck → Calf Slicer
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent attempts hip rotation to escape entanglement:
- Execute Hip Pressure → Honey Hole Top (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Turtle to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission (Probability: 75%)
If opponent tries to extract trapped leg by pulling knee to chest:
- Execute Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle (Probability: 80%)
- Execute Kneebar Finish → Kneebar Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission (Probability: 60%)
If opponent attempts to establish inside position for reversal:
- Execute Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission (Probability: 70%)
- Execute 50-50 Entry from Standing → 50-50 Guard (Probability: 50%)
If opponent defends heel by hiding foot deep in armpit:
- Execute Kneebar Finish → Kneebar Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Toe Hold from Top → Toe Hold Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle (Probability: 70%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Highest percentage finishing sequence
X-Guard → Honey Hole Top → Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Control-focused progression with multiple submission threats
Single Leg X-Guard → Honey Hole Top → Saddle → Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Competition-proven path from guard passing
Headquarters Position → Outside Ashi-Garami → Honey Hole Top → Kneebar → Won by Submission
Back attack alternative when opponent defends legs
Honey Hole Top → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Leg lock chain from bottom guard
De La Riva Guard → Single Leg X-Guard → Honey Hole Top → Toe Hold → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 30% | 30% | 20% |
| Intermediate | 50% | 50% | 35% |
| Advanced | 70% | 70% | 50% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds in competition, 1-3 minutes in training
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The honey hole represents the optimal intersection of control and submission threat in leg entanglement systems. What makes this position superior to other leg locks is the mechanical advantage created by the figure-four configuration combined with perpendicular body alignment. Your inside leg creates a fulcrum around which the opponent’s leg cannot rotate, while your outside leg crossing their hip prevents the hip escape that defeats most other leg attacks. The key technical detail most practitioners miss is the relationship between hip pressure and submission setup—you must maintain constant downward pressure through your hips to pin opponent’s hip to the mat, creating the structural control necessary for safe heel hook application. Think of the position in layers: first establish the leg entanglement geometry, then secure the hip pin, finally control the upper body to prevent defensive frames. Only after all three layers are established should you grip for submission. This systematic approach minimizes risk and maximizes finishing percentage.
Gordon Ryan
This is my highest percentage finishing position in competition. The key is recognizing when to enter and having the confidence to hold the position under pressure. I look for this entry from almost every guard position—X-guard, single leg X, even failed guard passes. Once I secure the entanglement, I focus on hip pressure first, then hand position on their heel. The outside heel hook is my primary finish, but threatening the inside heel hook or kneebar forces reactions that open the outside finish. In competition, I’ve learned that patience in honey hole is crucial—don’t rush the submission. Let the position work for you by maintaining pressure and waiting for opponent to make defensive errors. When they try to hide their heel, switch to kneebar. When they turn away, follow to back control. The position creates natural dilemmas where every defensive option opens a different attack.
Eddie Bravo
While the Honey Hole comes from the modern leg lock game, it fits perfectly with 10th Planet principles of control before submission. From this position, I teach students to think in layers—first layer is leg entanglement, second layer is hip control, third layer is upper body control, then submission. If you skip layers, you’ll get countered by experienced grapplers. The position also connects beautifully to the truck and twister system if opponent manages to turn away—just follow their rotation and you’re in position for back attacks. What I love about honey hole is how it forces opponent into bad decisions. They can’t just defend statically; they have to move, and every movement opens attacks. We drill this extensively in 10th Planet gyms because it represents modern no-gi evolution while maintaining fundamental control principles.