BJJ Graph

Outside Ashi-Garami

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Outside Ashi-Garami is a foundational leg entanglement position in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the practitioner controls their opponent’s leg from the outside angle, creating opportunities for heel hooks, ankle locks, and transitions to more dominant leg entanglements. This position serves as the gateway to advanced leg lock systems and represents a critical skill set for no-gi and submission-only competition.

The position is characterized by a figure-4 leg configuration where the attacking practitioner’s outside leg crosses over the opponent’s thigh while their inside leg triangles underneath the opponent’s knee, creating a locked clamp that isolates and controls the limb. The attacking practitioner maintains a perpendicular or diagonal body angle (45-90 degrees) to maximize leverage for submissions and control.

Outside Ashi-Garami exists as both an offensive attacking position (bottom perspective) and a defensive survival position (top perspective). From bottom, practitioners threaten outside heel hooks, straight ankle locks, and transitions to more dominant positions like saddle and inside ashi. From top, practitioners must work systematic escapes to prevent submissions while extracting their trapped leg and recovering advantageous position. Understanding both perspectives is essential for modern no-gi competition where leg entanglements have become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated.

Key Principles

  • Leg triangle configuration must remain tight with no space - constant squeezing and adjustment essential

  • Hip angle dictates control effectiveness - maintain perpendicular or diagonal angle (45-90 degrees)

  • Upper body grips determine available attacks - heel control enables heel hooks, ankle control enables ankle locks

  • Position is transitional not terminal - view as gateway to more dominant entanglements rather than primary finish position

  • Height differential creates escape opportunities when on top - standing position dramatically increases escape success rate

  • Submission threats from bottom prevent escapes - constant offensive pressure keeps opponent defensive

  • Systematic progression through leg lock hierarchy - outside ashi → inside ashi → saddle represents optimal advancement path

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeOffensiveDefensive
Risk LevelMediumHigh
Energy CostMediumMedium
TimeMediumShort

Key Difference: Outside leg angle enables direct heel hooks

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Leg triangle must be tight with no space between your legs and opponent’s leg - squeeze constantly and adjust configuration to eliminate gaps

  • Hip angle is critical - maintain perpendicular or diagonal angle (45-90 degrees) to opponent to create optimal leverage for submissions and prevent them from stacking

  • Control opponent’s hip rotation by preventing external rotation of their knee - use hand grips on knee/thigh to block their escape attempts

  • Upper body grips dictate attacks - heel control enables heel hooks, ankle control enables ankle locks, knee control prevents escapes

  • Active legs create control - squeeze figure-4 configuration constantly, adjust pressure based on opponent movement, never remain static

  • Threaten submissions to prevent escapes - constant submission pressure keeps opponent defensive and limits their ability to work escapes

  • Transition mindset - view outside ashi as entry position to more dominant entanglements rather than primary finishing position

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Loose leg triangle with space between legs and opponent’s leg

    • Consequence: Opponent can extract their leg or rotate hip to escape, position becomes unstable and ineffective for both control and submissions
    • ✅ Correction: Squeeze legs together tightly, pull right foot back toward buttocks to tighten figure-4, eliminate all space by actively adjusting leg configuration

  • ❌ Flat body position without proper hip angle to opponent

    • Consequence: Reduces leverage for submissions, makes it easier for opponent to stack or pass over, limits effectiveness of heel hook and ankle lock mechanics
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain perpendicular or diagonal angle (45-90 degrees) to opponent, angle torso toward their trapped leg, adjust hip position to face their leg

  • ❌ Failing to control opponent’s hip rotation with upper body grips

    • Consequence: Opponent can externally rotate their knee and hip to escape leg entanglement, renders submissions ineffective as their leg rotates away
    • ✅ Correction: Use hand grip on opponent’s knee or thigh to block external rotation, second hand controls heel/ankle for submission setup, maintain both grips simultaneously

  • ❌ Static position without submission threats or transitions

    • Consequence: Opponent has time to work systematic escape, position becomes stalemate without offensive pressure, allows opponent to develop escape strategy
    • ✅ Correction: Constantly threaten submissions (heel hook, ankle lock) to keep opponent defensive, flow between submission attempts and positional improvements, never remain static

  • ❌ Attempting to finish outside heel hook without proper hip angle or leg configuration

    • Consequence: Submission lacks leverage and power, risks opponent escaping or countering, can injure opponent accidentally with improper mechanics
    • ✅ Correction: Ensure tight figure-4 first, establish perpendicular hip angle, secure heel grip properly, rotate smoothly rather than explosively, tap early in training

  • ❌ Ignoring opponent’s free leg and allowing them to establish base

    • Consequence: Opponent can post with free leg to stand or create angles for escape, reduces control effectiveness, allows opponent to pressure forward
    • ✅ Correction: Monitor opponent’s free leg positioning, adjust body angle to prevent strong posting, use leg configuration adjustments to nullify their base attempts

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Protect your heel immediately by keeping it hidden from opponent’s grip, preventing heel exposure that enables heel hook finish

  • Maintain standing or elevated posture with height advantage, as standing position creates best escape opportunities and limits opponent’s leverage

  • Prevent hip external rotation by keeping knee pointing forward and not allowing knee to turn outward, which would expose heel to finishing position

  • Create frames on opponent’s hips/chest using hands and free leg to establish distance that prevents submission leverage

  • Extract leg using proper mechanics through internal hip rotation and systematic threading rather than straight pulling

  • Stay calm under pressure and work methodically through escape sequences, as panic leads to exposed heel and rushed movements

  • Counter-entangle when appropriate by establishing your own leg lock position as alternative escape route that creates mutual threats

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Pulling leg straight out against figure-4 triangle

    • Consequence: Strengthens opponent’s leg triangle, exposes heel to heel hook grip, accelerates submission threat by creating leverage for opponent
    • ✅ Correction: Rotate hip internally (inward), collapse opponent’s triangle structure, thread leg out systematically using circular hip movements rather than straight-line pulling

  • ❌ Dropping down to opponent’s level by lowering hips to mat

    • Consequence: Removes height advantage, makes escape significantly more difficult, allows opponent to improve angle and grip control, eliminates standing escape options
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain elevated posture on knees or standing, keep hips high, use height differential to create extraction opportunities and limit opponent’s leverage

  • ❌ Exposing heel by allowing foot to turn outward or become accessible

    • Consequence: Opponent can secure heel hook grip immediately, dramatically increases submission danger, may result in instant tap or injury
    • ✅ Correction: Keep heel hidden by maintaining inward foot position, actively control heel placement, shield foot with free leg if necessary, prioritize heel protection above all else

  • ❌ Panicking and making rushed, uncontrolled movements

    • Consequence: Creates opportunities for opponent to improve position, increases likelihood of heel exposure, wastes energy, leads to poor decision-making under pressure
    • ✅ Correction: Remain calm and methodical, work through systematic escape sequences, breathe deeply, trust your drilling and technique rather than explosive scrambling

  • ❌ Neglecting to create frames on opponent’s hips and chest

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to close distance and improve finishing mechanics, eliminates space needed for leg extraction, gives opponent better leverage for submissions
    • ✅ Correction: Immediately establish frames using hands on opponent’s hips/chest and free leg, maintain distance throughout escape sequence, use frames to prevent opponent advancement

  • ❌ Ignoring counter-entanglement opportunities when they arise

    • Consequence: Misses chances to create mutual threats that force opponent to defend, limits escape options to pure defense only, reduces overall escape success rate
    • ✅ Correction: Recognize moments when opponent’s legs become exposed, establish counter leg entanglements when appropriate, use mutual threat dynamics to facilitate escapes