Outside Ashi-Garami Bottom is a leg entanglement position where you control your opponent’s right leg from the outside while on your back or side, with your legs creating a figure-4 configuration that isolates and controls their leg. This position is foundational in modern leg lock systems, particularly in no-gi and submission-only formats, offering multiple heel hook and ankle lock opportunities.
The position is characterized by your outside leg (left leg) crossing over their thigh while your inside leg (right leg) triangles underneath their knee, creating a locked configuration. Your upper body is typically perpendicular or angled to your opponent, with grips controlling their leg and preventing their hip rotation.
From this position, the practitioner has access to outside heel hooks, straight ankle locks, and transitions to more dominant leg entanglements. The position represents a neutral starting point in the leg entanglement game where both practitioners are working to improve their position or finish submissions. Understanding outside ashi is essential for modern no-gi competition, as it serves as the gateway to more advanced leg lock positions like saddle and inside ashi.
Position Definition
- Your legs form figure-4 around opponent’s right leg with left leg crossing over their thigh and right leg hooking underneath their knee, creating a tight triangular lock that isolates the limb
- Hip angle maintained perpendicular or diagonal to opponent (45-90 degrees), positioning your torso facing toward their trapped leg to maximize leverage for submissions and control
- Opponent’s trapped leg controlled and isolated with both upper body grips preventing hip rotation - typically one hand controlling heel/foot and other controlling knee/thigh to lock their leg in place
- Your right foot actively pulls back toward your buttocks to tighten the figure-4 configuration, eliminating all space between your legs and their trapped leg
Prerequisites
- Understanding of leg entanglement mechanics and risks, including knowledge of when positions become dangerous and proper tapping protocols
- Knowledge of heel hook anatomy and safety protocols, specifically understanding the rotational nature of heel hooks and their potential for rapid injury
- Experience with inside ashi garami or basic leg lock positions to understand fundamental leg control concepts before attempting outside ashi
- Training in leg lock-legal environments (no-gi, submission-only, ADCC rules) where heel hooks are permitted and training partners understand risks
- Proper instruction from qualified instructor experienced in modern leg lock systems and safety awareness
Key Defensive 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
Available Escapes
Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Straight Ankle Lock → Straight Ankle Lock Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Transition to Cross Ashi → Cross Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
50-50 Entry from Standing → 50-50 Guard
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
Kneebar Setup → Kneebar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 15%
- Intermediate: 30%
- Advanced: 45%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent attempts to rotate hip externally (turning knee outward) to escape:
- Execute Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission (Probability: 40%)
Else if opponent leans back or attempts to stand creating distance:
- Execute Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Transition to Cross Ashi → Cross Ashi-Garami (Probability: 35%)
Else if opponent remains static with leg trapped:
- Execute Straight Ankle Lock → Straight Ankle Lock Control (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission (Probability: 50%)
Else if opponent drives forward attempting to stack or smash:
- Execute Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Kneebar Setup → Kneebar Control (Probability: 45%)
Escape and Survival Paths
Direct Outside Heel Hook Path
Outside Ashi-Garami → Outside Heel Hook finish (if opponent remains static)
Saddle Advancement Path (Highest Percentage)
Outside Ashi-Garami → Saddle → Inside Heel Hook finish
Inside Ashi Transition Path
Outside Ashi-Garami → Inside Ashi-Garami → Straight Ankle Lock or Heel Hook finish
Cross Ashi System Path
Outside Ashi-Garami → Cross Ashi-Garami → Toe Hold or Heel Hook finish
Kneebar Counter Path
Outside Ashi-Garami → Kneebar Control (when opponent extends leg) → Kneebar finish
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: 30-60 seconds before transition or escape
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
Outside ashi garami represents the entry point to my leg lock system hierarchy, teaching fundamental concepts of hip control, leg configuration mechanics, and submission threat management. The position should never be viewed as a primary finishing position but rather as a transitional gateway toward more dominant configurations like saddle or inside ashi. The key principle is ‘legs follow the hips’ - if you control your opponent’s hip rotation first through proper hand positioning on their knee and thigh, their leg positioning becomes controllable. Beginners often make the critical error of chasing immediate submissions from outside ashi rather than using submission threats strategically to prevent escapes while advancing position. The outside heel hook from this position, while mechanically possible, has significantly lower percentage success compared to advancing to saddle first. Focus on creating a systematic hierarchy: establish outside ashi, threaten outside heel hook to freeze opponent, read their defensive reaction, then transition to inside ashi or saddle based on how they defend.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, I use outside ashi extremely aggressively as an entry position after leg drag passes or when pulling guard, but I rarely attempt to finish from it. The position’s value lies in its ability to immediately threaten submissions which forces opponents into defensive mode, buying time to advance to saddle where my actual finishing percentage is dramatically higher. Against high-level opponents, staying in outside ashi too long is dangerous because experienced grapplers know the escape mechanics and can systematically work to external rotation. My approach is to threaten the outside heel hook immediately upon entry - this freezes most opponents for 2-3 seconds, which is enough time to begin transitioning to saddle. If they defend the heel hook by turning their knee inward, that’s the perfect reaction to enter inside ashi. The key is speed and aggression - slow, methodical outside ashi play allows opponents to establish defensive grips and postures. Modern competition has shown that outside ashi is most effective as a 5-10 second transitional position rather than a place to spend significant time.
Eddie Bravo
While 10th Planet’s traditional focus has been rubber guard and back control systems, we’ve integrated modern leg entanglement positions as no-gi competition has evolved, particularly for advanced students competing in EBI or submission-only formats. Outside ashi fits into our system as an entry from failed lockdown half guard attempts or when electric chair setups are defended. The critical awareness for our students is understanding tournament rule sets - many IBJJF gi competitions still restrict heel hooks, so practitioners must be able to switch between heel hook threats and straight ankle locks based on context. What I emphasize is the creativity aspect - outside ashi creates unique angles for submissions that aren’t available from top positions, and understanding this leg entanglement game opens up entirely new strategic dimensions. However, safety is paramount, especially with heel hooks. The rotational nature of heel hooks means injuries happen rapidly with minimal warning, so we drill these positions extensively with zero finishing pressure in training, focusing on control and position rather than completion.