Inside Ashi-Garami Top, also known as Standard Ashi Garami or Single Leg X, is a foundational leg entanglement position where the top player controls one of opponent’s legs between their own legs while maintaining inside control with one leg across opponent’s hip. This position serves as the entry point for many advanced leg attack systems and provides direct access to straight ankle locks, heel hooks (where legal), and kneebars. The position balances control with offensive capability, allowing the top player to threaten submissions while maintaining relatively safe positioning.
Inside Ashi-Garami represents the standard position in modern leg lock systems, serving as the foundation from which more complex entanglements develop. The “inside” designation refers to the inside leg (closest to opponent’s body) being placed across their hip rather than their far hip, which distinguishes it from outside ashi. This inside positioning provides better control over opponent’s hip movement and creates direct pathways to more advanced positions like honey hole and saddle.
The position excels in no-gi grappling where leg attacks are permitted, offering a systematic approach to leg attacks that can be developed from beginner to advanced levels. White and blue belts typically work straight ankle locks from this position, while advanced practitioners layer in heel hooks and transition to more complex entanglements. The position’s effectiveness stems from the mechanical control it provides over one leg while leaving hands free for grips and adjustments.
Position Definition
- One opponent leg trapped between your legs with tight control from hip to ankle, preventing extraction through clamping pressure from both your legs squeezing inward
- Inside leg positioned across opponent’s near hip with foot planted on far side of their body, creating rotational control and preventing opponent from squaring their hips to you or turning to face you directly
- Outside leg hooking behind opponent’s trapped knee with instep or ankle engaged against the back of their knee joint, securing leg position and preventing straightening or extraction of their leg
- Perpendicular body alignment to opponent maintained at approximately 90-degree angle, with your torso facing their trapped leg, shoulders back, and hips elevated off the mat to generate submission leverage and control
- Upper body positioned with shoulders away from mat in elevated posture, maintaining distance control while keeping hands free for grips on opponent’s trapped leg, belt, or upper body to prevent them from sitting up or creating defensive frames
Prerequisites
- Basic leg lock mechanics and safety protocols including proper tap recognition and submission release procedures
- Understanding of leg entanglement hierarchy and progression from basic to advanced positions within ashi garami system
- Hip mobility for maintaining position and creating angles for submissions without losing leg control
- Ankle and knee attack fundamentals including straight ankle lock mechanics and finishing principles
- Knowledge of legal and illegal leg attacks based on rule set (IBJJF, ADCC, submission-only) and belt level restrictions
- Ability to recognize and defend opponent’s counter-attacks from bottom position including leg extraction attempts
Key Offensive Principles
- Inside Leg Control: Maintain inside leg across opponent’s hip to prevent rotation and maintain inside position, blocking their ability to face you and create defensive frames
- Outside Leg Hook: Keep outside leg hooked behind opponent’s knee to prevent leg extraction and control knee flexion, ensuring trapped leg cannot straighten
- Hip Elevation: Elevate hips to create pressure and improve submission leverage while maintaining connection to opponent’s leg through both your legs
- Distance Management: Control distance between bodies to facilitate attacks while preventing counters and maintaining safe positioning away from opponent’s hands
- Progressive Control: Build from basic control to advanced entanglements systematically, advancing only when control is secure and opponent’s defensive options are limited
- Perpendicular Alignment: Maintain approximately 90-degree body angle to opponent to maximize mechanical advantage for submissions and position advancement
Available Attacks
Straight Ankle Lock → Straight Ankle Lock Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 50%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Inside Heel Hook → Saddle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Toe Hold → Toe Hold Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Kneebar Finish → Kneebar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Transition to Honey Hole → Honey Hole
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Transition to Outside Ashi → Outside Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Back Take from Ashi → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Sweep to Top Position → Standing Position
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Transition to Cross Ashi → Cross Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent remains stationary with leg trapped and shows little defensive movement or awareness:
- Execute Straight Ankle Lock → Straight Ankle Lock Control (Probability: 75%)
- Execute Toe Hold → Toe Hold Control (Probability: 65%)
If opponent turns knee inward to defend ankle lock and creates heel hook opportunity:
- Execute Inside Heel Hook → Saddle (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Transition to Honey Hole → Honey Hole (Probability: 60%)
If opponent rotates hips away and attempts to clear inside leg from hip:
- Execute Switch to Outside Ashi → Outside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Advance to Saddle → Saddle (Probability: 55%)
If opponent extends trapped leg forcefully to create distance and escape:
- Execute Kneebar Finish → Kneebar Control (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Maintain Control and Reset → Inside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 50%)
If opponent sits up aggressively and reaches for your legs or upper body:
- Execute Back Take Transition → Back Control (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Sweep to Top Position → Standing Position (Probability: 45%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Shortest Path to Finish
Inside Ashi-Garami → Straight Ankle Lock → Won by Submission
High-Percentage Advanced Path
Inside Ashi-Garami → Honey Hole → Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Systematic Control Path
Inside Ashi-Garami → Saddle → Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Alternative Kneebar Path
Inside Ashi-Garami → Kneebar Control → Kneebar Finish → Won by Submission
Outside Transition Path
Inside Ashi-Garami → Outside Ashi-Garami → Outside Heel Hook → 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 before submission attempt or advancement
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Inside ashi garami represents the foundational position in the systematic approach to leg attacks. The position’s effectiveness derives from its mechanical simplicity—one leg is controlled between your legs while your inside leg blocks hip rotation. This creates a clear hierarchy of control that beginners can understand while offering advanced practitioners a platform for complex attacks. The key biomechanical principle is the perpendicular alignment, which maximizes your mechanical advantage over the opponent’s leg while minimizing their ability to generate defensive force. When teaching this position, I emphasize that it serves as the entry point to an entire system of leg attacks. Students must master inside ashi retention before advancing to more complex positions like honey hole or saddle. The straight ankle lock from inside ashi should be viewed not just as a submission but as a forcing mechanism—opponent’s defensive reactions to the ankle lock create opportunities for advancement to superior positions.
Gordon Ryan
Inside ashi is my entry point for almost all leg attacks. I look for this position constantly—from guard passing, from failed takedowns, from opponent’s guard pulls. Once I secure inside ashi, I immediately evaluate whether to stay and attack from here or transition to honey hole or saddle. The straight ankle lock from inside ashi is extremely high percentage, especially when opponent is focused on defending heel hooks. In competition, I use inside ashi as both a finishing position and a transitional position depending on opponent’s reactions. The key is understanding when to stay and when to advance—this decision-making separates good leg lockers from great ones. Against less experienced opponents, I finish directly from inside ashi with ankle locks. Against elite competition, I use the position to force reactions that allow advancement to honey hole where I have even more control. The position’s versatility makes it essential for modern no-gi grappling.
Eddie Bravo
While inside ashi isn’t traditionally part of the 10th Planet system, I’ve incorporated it because it connects beautifully with our existing positions. From inside ashi, you can transition to positions we already use like the truck and leg attacks we’ve developed. The position fits our philosophy of control before submission—establish inside ashi, control their leg completely, then attack. I teach students to think of inside ashi as a gateway position—it’s rarely where you finish, but it’s often where you start. The position also works well in combination with upper body attacks, which is important in our system. If leg locks aren’t available, you can transition to back attacks or other submissions using the control you’ve established. The creativity comes from mixing inside ashi entries with our unorthodox guard systems like rubber guard and lockdown, creating unexpected paths to leg entanglements that opponents don’t anticipate.