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Inside Ashi Garami Bottom | BJJ Position Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202510 min read

Inside Ashi Garami Bottom

bjjstateleg-entanglementbottomadvancedleg-locks

State Properties

  • State ID: S244
  • Point Value: 0 (Neutral)
  • Position Type: Offensive leg entanglement
  • Risk Level: High
  • Energy Cost: Medium
  • Time Sustainability: Medium

State Description

Inside Ashi Garami Bottom is a fundamental leg entanglement position where the attacker controls one of the opponent’s legs between their own legs while positioned on their back or side. The position is characterized by the outside leg hooking around the opponent’s trapped leg with control of the heel, while the inside leg is positioned across the opponent’s hip to control distance and prevent escape.

Inside Ashi Garami serves as the foundational position for modern leg lock attacks and is the entry point for more advanced leg entanglements. The position requires technical precision and safety awareness, particularly when applying heel hooks.

Visual Description

You are positioned on your back or side with one of your opponent’s legs trapped between your legs. Your outside leg (the leg on the same side as their trapped leg) hooks around their leg with your foot positioned near or controlling their heel, creating a secure grip on their lower leg. Your inside leg is positioned across their hip or thigh, acting as a frame to control distance and prevent them from pulling their leg free. Your upper body is positioned to face their trapped leg, with your torso angled and your hands securing their heel with a C-grip or figure-four grip, depending on the submission you’re setting up. Your hips are mobile and can adjust to create angles for attacking heel hooks or ankle locks. The configuration creates a triangle-like control around their leg while your hip positioning provides both offensive leverage and defensive structure, making it difficult for them to free their leg or counter-attack while giving you access to multiple leg lock submissions.

Key Principles

  • Secure heel control with proper gripping
  • Use inside leg to control distance and hip positioning
  • Maintain mobile hips for angle creation and attacks
  • Control opponent’s knee line with outside leg
  • Transition fluidly between submissions and positions
  • SAFETY FIRST: Always apply leg locks slowly and progressively

Prerequisites

  • Understanding of leg lock safety protocols
  • Basic leg entanglement mechanics
  • Ankle lock proficiency before heel hooks
  • Training with experienced partners

State Invariants

  • Outside leg controlling opponent’s trapped leg
  • Inside leg positioned across opponent’s hip
  • Opponent’s leg trapped between your legs

Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State)

Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)

Counter Transitions

Expert Insights

  • Danaher System: Inside Ashi Garami is the foundational position of the leg lock system and the entry point students must master before progressing to more advanced entanglements. Emphasizes that control must be perfected before attempting submissions - the hierarchy is position before submission. The critical element is heel control; without proper heel control, no leg lock is truly effective. Teaches systematic progression: establish inside ashi, perfect control, attack straight ankle lock until mastered, then progress to heel hooks only with proper instruction and safety awareness.
  • Gordon Ryan: Uses Inside Ashi as a dynamic position rather than static control, constantly transitioning between different leg entanglements to keep opponent defending. Prefers to use Inside Ashi as a quick entry to saddle position, viewing it as a transitional position rather than a finishing position. In competition, establishes Inside Ashi and immediately begins working towards more dominant leg entanglements or direct submission attacks.
  • Eddie Bravo: While 10th Planet system traditionally focused on other positions, modern leg lock integration includes Inside Ashi as a key component. Emphasizes the importance of safety in training and the need for progressive learning. Views Inside Ashi as a powerful position that requires respect and proper instruction due to the dangerous nature of heel hooks.

Common Errors

  • Error: Poor heel control
    • Consequence: Allows opponent to free leg and escape, eliminates submission opportunities.
    • Correction: Secure heel with C-grip or figure-four grip, maintain constant pressure, position heel against your torso for maximum control.
  • Error: Weak inside leg positioning
    • Consequence: Reduces control and allows opponent to create distance and escape entanglement.
    • Correction: Keep inside leg tight across opponent’s hip, use it to control distance and prevent them from pulling away.
  • Error: Not controlling opponent’s knee line
    • Consequence: Gives opponent defensive leverage and reduces submission effectiveness.
    • Correction: Control opponent’s knee with your outside leg, prevent them from straightening leg, maintain proper angle for attacks.
  • Error: Applying heel hooks without proper control
    • Consequence: DANGER - Can cause serious injury to partner and indicates lack of control mastery.
    • Correction: Master position control and straight ankle locks first, only apply heel hooks in controlled training environment with experienced partners and proper safety protocols.
  • Error: Staying static without transitions
    • Consequence: Allows opponent time to escape or counter, reduces submission success.
    • Correction: Constantly threaten submissions and position improvements, transition between entries fluidly, maintain offensive pressure.

Training Drills

  • Inside Ashi Entry and Control: Practice entering Inside Ashi from various positions (guard, scrambles, transitions) with progressive resistance (0%, 25%, 50%), focusing on securing heel control and establishing proper leg positioning.
  • Straight Ankle Lock Mastery: Drill straight ankle locks exclusively from Inside Ashi for extended period before progressing to heel hooks, developing proper mechanics, control, and safety awareness.
  • Position Transitions: Flow between Inside Ashi, Outside Ashi, 50-50, and Saddle positions, learning to recognize optimal moments for transitions and maintaining control throughout.
  • Heel Control Retention: Partner attempts to extract leg using proper escape techniques while you maintain heel control and adjust position, developing sensitivity and control maintenance.
  • Safety Protocol Drills: Practice communication, tap recognition, and controlled release of submissions, establishing safe training habits for leg lock practice.

Decision Tree

If opponent’s heel exposed and controlled:

Else if opponent defends heel exposure:

Else if opponent attempts to pass:

Else (opponent maintains defensive posture):

Position Metrics

  • Position Retention Rate: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%
  • Advancement Probability: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%
  • Submission Probability: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 65%
  • Position Loss Probability: Beginner 50%, Intermediate 35%, Advanced 20%
  • Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds

Optimal Submission Paths

Direct submission path (safe progression): Inside Ashi Garami Bottom → Straight Ankle Lock → Won by Submission

Advanced submission path: Inside Ashi Garami Bottom → Inside Heel Hook → Won by Submission

Position advancement path: Inside Ashi Garami Bottom → Transition to Saddle → Saddle Position → Leg Lock Submissions → Won by Submission

Bilateral entanglement path: Inside Ashi Garami Bottom → Transition to 50-50 → 50-50 Guard Bottom → Submissions → Won by Submission

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