The Saddle from top represents the highest-level leg entanglement position in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering unprecedented control and submission opportunities. Unlike traditional top positions that focus on weight distribution and pressure, the Saddle operates through structural control of the opponent’s leg using your entire body as a lever system. This creates a mechanical advantage so significant that size and strength differences become largely irrelevant when the position is properly established.
The offensive potential of top Saddle stems from its unique characteristic of creating multiple submission pathways that defend each other. When you attack an inside heel hook and the opponent defends by hiding their heel, they expose their ankle to straight footlock attacks. When they defend the footlock by pulling their toes back, they re-expose the heel. This creates what’s called a ‘submission dilemma’—every defensive action opens a new attacking opportunity. This self-defending submission system makes the Saddle dramatically more effective than isolated leg attacks from positions like Outside Ashi-Garami or Straight Ankle Lock Control.
Modern Saddle methodology emphasizes systematic entry pathways rather than opportunistic scrambles. The highest percentage entries come from Outside Ashi-Garami through what’s called the ‘back step,’ from Inside Ashi-Garami through hip switches, from 50-50 Guard through controlled elevations, and from Single Leg X-Guard through specific angle changes. Each entry pathway requires precise technical execution, as attempting to force the Saddle against a defensive opponent often results in losing the leg entanglement entirely. Understanding these systematic progressions separates competent leg lockers from elite specialists.
The position’s effectiveness has evolved dramatically as defensive knowledge has increased at high levels of competition. Early Saddle techniques focused almost exclusively on immediate submission attempts, which proved insufficient against technically sophisticated defenders. Contemporary approaches emphasize what instructors call ‘the hierarchy of controls’—achieving optimal perpendicular positioning, establishing specific grips in the correct sequence, maintaining hip pressure, and clearing defensive frames before attempting finishes. This methodical progression increases submission success rates while reducing the opponent’s ability to escape or counter during the attacking sequence.
From a strategic perspective, the Saddle functions differently depending on ruleset and competition format. In submission-only and many no-gi competitions where heel hooks are legal, the Saddle becomes a primary attacking platform worthy of significant positional investment. In IBJJF gi competitions where most leg locks are restricted or prohibited, the Saddle has limited utility and practitioners must understand alternative attacking systems. This ruleset awareness is non-negotiable, as training Saddle mechanics without understanding legal applications creates dangerous situations in both training and competition environments.
Position Definition
- You are positioned perpendicular to opponent’s body with their leg entangled by your legs, creating structural control of their hip, knee, and ankle joints through figure-four or similar leg configuration
- Your hips are pressuring into opponent’s trapped leg while maintaining inside position between their legs, preventing them from facing you directly or turning away to relieve pressure on vulnerable joints
- Opponent’s heel is exposed and oriented toward your chest or armpit, enabling finishing mechanics for heel hooks while your grips control the foot and ankle to prevent defensive hiding or rotation
Prerequisites
- You have achieved inside position between opponent’s legs
- You have established perpendicular alignment to opponent’s body
- You have controlled one of opponent’s legs with your leg entanglement
- You have cleared or prevented opponent’s defensive frames
Key Offensive Principles
- Perpendicular positioning creates maximum mechanical advantage on the leg
- Hip pressure prevents opponent rotation and maintains positional dominance
- Inside position is non-negotiable—losing it compromises entire control structure
- Control before submission—establish optimal position before attempting finishes
- Systematic entries have higher success rates than scramble-based opportunities
- Opponent’s defensive reactions should tighten your control, not create escape opportunities
- Grip sequencing matters—establish structural grips before finishing grips
Available Attacks
Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 80%
Outside Heel Hook → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Straight Ankle Lock → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Toe Hold → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Kneebar → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 28%
- Intermediate: 48%
- Advanced: 68%
Back Take Generic → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 55%
Position Change → Inside Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 85%
Back Step → Outside Ashi-Garami
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Decision Making from This Position
You have achieved perpendicular positioning with inside control but opponent is framing on your hips:
- Execute Clear frames systematically → Saddle (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Transition to Inside Ashi-Garami → Inside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 30%)
Opponent’s heel is fully exposed and you have established figure-four grip:
- Execute Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission (Probability: 80%)
- Execute Outside Heel Hook variation → Won by Submission (Probability: 20%)
Opponent is hiding heel by rotating knee inward:
- Execute Attack Straight Ankle Lock → Won by Submission (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Attack Toe Hold → Won by Submission (Probability: 40%)
Opponent is attempting to turn into you to escape:
- Execute Maintain hip pressure and ride the turn → Saddle (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Transition to Back Control → Back Control (Probability: 45%)
You have loose control with space between your bodies:
- Execute Reestablish hip pressure and perpendicular alignment → Saddle (Probability: 50%)
- Execute Transition to Outside Ashi-Garami → Outside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 35%)
- Execute Elevate to 50-50 → 50-50 Guard (Probability: 15%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Primary Inside Heel Hook Path
Outside Ashi-Garami → Back step entry → Saddle → Hip pressure establishment → Figure-four grip → Inside Heel Hook
Submission Chain Path
Saddle → Inside Heel Hook attempt → Opponent hides heel → Straight Ankle Lock → Opponent pulls toes back → Inside Heel Hook finish
50-50 to Saddle Sequence
50-50 Guard → Hip elevation → Clear opponent's knee line → Establish perpendicular alignment → Saddle → Outside Heel Hook
Back Take Alternative
Saddle → Opponent turns defensively → Maintain hip control → Insert hooks → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 50% | 45% | 40% |
| Intermediate | 70% | 65% | 60% |
| Advanced | 85% | 85% | 80% |
Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds from entry to finish or opponent escape
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The Saddle is the most mechanically sophisticated position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because it requires simultaneous control of multiple joint systems while maintaining dynamic balance against an opponent’s defensive movements. The position’s effectiveness stems from what I call ‘structural lockdown’—your entire body functions as an integrated lever system that immobilizes the opponent’s leg regardless of their size or strength. The key to mastery is understanding the hierarchy of controls: perpendicular alignment creates the foundation, hip pressure maintains positional dominance, inside position prevents rotation, and systematic grip progression enables finishing mechanics. Most practitioners fail at the Saddle not because they lack submission knowledge, but because they attempt to finish before establishing these prerequisite controls. When properly executed, the Saddle creates what I term a ‘submission constellation’—multiple attacking options that defend each other, forcing the opponent into defensive dilemmas where every protective action opens new attacking pathways.
Gordon Ryan
In competition, the Saddle is my highest-percentage finishing position when I can establish it against elite opposition. The difference between a loose leg entanglement and a dominant Saddle comes down to small technical details that most people overlook: exactly where you place your hip pressure, how you angle your shoulders, which grip sequence you use to control the heel. I’ve submitted world champions from this position not because I’m stronger, but because I’ve drilled the systematic entry pathways thousands of times until they’re automatic. Against lower-level opponents, you can often get away with sloppy Saddle mechanics and still finish. Against high-level guys who know the defenses, you need perfect technical execution. My approach is to establish the position systematically from Outside Ashi, clear all their defensive frames methodically, and only attempt the finish when I know their escape windows are completely closed. That patience and systematic progression is what separates training room leg locks from competition finishes.
Eddie Bravo
The Saddle, or Honey Hole as we call it in 10th Planet, revolutionized no-gi grappling when it started becoming mainstream in competition. What makes this position so effective is that it combines the leg control of wrestling with the submission sophistication of jiu-jitsu. You’re not just holding a leg—you’re creating a mechanical trap where the opponent’s natural defensive instincts work against them. In our system, we teach specific entry pathways from positions like electric chair and lockdown because those are high-percentage setups where the opponent is already compromised. The key innovation we’ve added is emphasizing the submission chains—if they defend the heel hook by hiding their heel, immediately attack the straight ankle lock or toe hold. If they defend those by pulling their toes back, the heel is exposed again. This creates a submission loop where you’re constantly attacking and the opponent is constantly defending, which is exhausting both mentally and physically. Train this position slowly and with control, because the injury potential is real if you’re reckless with the submissions.