BJJ Graph

Inside Sankaku

Dec 09, 20258 min read

Inside Sankaku, also known as the ‘Honey Hole’ or ‘411’, is an advanced leg entanglement position where the opponent’s leg is trapped in a figure-four configuration that exposes the inside of their heel. This position is considered one of the most dominant leg entanglements in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering exceptional control and high-percentage submission opportunities. The configuration allows for devastating mechanical advantage in applying inside heel hooks while severely limiting the opponent’s defensive options. The position is characterized by the practitioner’s legs forming a triangle around the opponent’s trapped leg, with the heel facing toward the attacker’s centerline. This entanglement emerged as a cornerstone of modern leg lock systems, particularly in no-gi grappling, and has become essential knowledge for advanced practitioners competing in submission-only formats. The position provides superior control over the opponent’s hip mobility while creating optimal angles for attacking with the inside heel hook. Understanding the systematic breakdown of defensive barriers - establishing the fundamental entanglement structure, controlling hip mobility, dominating the knee line to prevent rotation, and isolating heel exposure - is critical for success from this position. The strategic trade-off of Inside Sankaku is that while it offers tremendous offensive control, both practitioners are engaged in leg entanglements, requiring the top player to maintain superior positioning and control to prevent counter-attacks. Modern competition has proven this position to be among the highest percentage finishing positions when proper control protocols are followed.

Key Principles

  • Establish and maintain tight hip-to-hip connection to prevent opponent from creating escape space

  • Control the knee line barrier to prevent defensive rotation and maintain inside heel exposure

  • Systematically break down defensive layers before attempting submission - position before submission

  • Maintain proper leg configuration with outside leg crossed over inside leg to secure entanglement

  • Distribute weight through hips rather than hands to maximize control pressure on the entanglement

  • Remain aware of counter-attack opportunities and protect your own legs while maintaining offensive control

  • Use strategic patience to tire opponent’s defensive efforts before committing to finishing attacks

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensiveOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelHighMedium
Energy CostHighMedium
TimeShortMedium

Key Difference: Hip entanglement with superior control

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Protect your heel immediately by hiding it against your own hip to prevent optimal submission angle

  • Never turn into opponent attempting to pass knee line as this leads directly to Saddle position

  • Create hip mobility and space before attempting leg extraction - distance is the key to escape

  • Address the submission threat first before attempting positional escapes to prevent injury

  • Use technical escapes rather than explosive movements that can result in injury if submission is locked

  • Maintain awareness of opponent’s upper body positioning to prevent them from consolidating control

  • Recognize when the position is lost and tap early rather than risking serious knee or ankle injury

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Turning into opponent trying to pass knee line

    • Consequence: Leads directly into Saddle position with even worse control and heel exposure
    • ✅ Correction: Escape by creating distance and moving away from opponent, not through them

  • ❌ Attempting explosive movements when submission is locked

    • Consequence: Severe knee and ankle ligament damage from forcing movement against locked heel hook
    • ✅ Correction: Tap immediately when submission is locked rather than attempting escape

  • ❌ Neglecting heel protection while attempting escape

    • Consequence: Heel becomes fully exposed during escape attempt, allowing opponent easy submission finish
    • ✅ Correction: Keep heel hidden against your own hip throughout entire escape sequence

  • ❌ Giving up back position to escape leg entanglement

    • Consequence: Trades one dangerous position for another, giving up points and back control
    • ✅ Correction: Focus on technical leg extraction rather than sacrificing back

  • ❌ Failing to address submission threat before positional escape

    • Consequence: Opponent finishes submission during your escape attempt
    • ✅ Correction: Defend submission first, then work on positional escape only when safe

  • ❌ Losing composure and panicking

    • Consequence: Poor decision making, wasted energy, and increased injury risk from frantic movements
    • ✅ Correction: Stay calm, follow systematic escape protocols, tap when necessary

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Control opponent’s hip mobility through proper leg positioning and maintaining tight hip-to-hip connection throughout the entanglement

  • Maintain the knee line control to prevent defensive rotation by keeping your legs configured to block opponent’s ability to turn into you

  • Create and maintain proper angles for inside heel hook by positioning opponent’s heel toward your centerline with optimal leverage

  • Establish strong hip connection to prevent escapes by keeping your hips close to opponent’s hips and eliminating space

  • Isolate the trapped leg from defensive resources by controlling the knee joint and preventing opponent from using their free leg effectively

  • Control upper body positioning when possible to prevent counters, particularly being aware of opponent’s ability to attack your legs

  • Distribute weight strategically to maintain control while preparing for submission attempts without sacrificing positional security

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Poor hip connection - maintaining too much distance from opponent’s hips

    • Consequence: Opponent easily creates space to escape the entanglement and extract their trapped leg, nullifying all control and submission threats
    • ✅ Correction: Keep hips tight to opponent’s hips at all times, using your core strength to maintain connection and eliminate space, adjusting your position to stay connected as they move

  • ❌ Failure to control knee line - allowing opponent to clear the knee line barrier

    • Consequence: Opponent can rotate defensively to neutralize the inside heel hook angle and potentially escape or counter-attack your legs
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain proper leg configuration with your outside leg crossed over to block knee line, actively adjusting leg position to prevent opponent from turning through

  • ❌ Crossing ankles improperly - locking ankles in a way that reduces control or creates vulnerability

    • Consequence: Weakened positional control, potential for ankle injury, and creation of escape opportunities for opponent through the weakened structure
    • ✅ Correction: Cross your outside leg over your inside leg at the proper angle, maintaining flexibility in the ankle lock and being ready to adjust as needed for control

  • ❌ Hunting submissions prematurely - attacking heel hook before establishing complete positional control

    • Consequence: Loss of position as opponent exploits your premature attack to escape, potentially allowing them to pass or counter-attack your legs
    • ✅ Correction: Establish all control points first (hip connection, knee line control, proper angle) before committing to the submission, following systematic breakdown of defenses

  • ❌ Neglecting upper body awareness - focusing only on leg control while ignoring opponent’s upper body

    • Consequence: Opponent may attack your legs, establish grips that aid their escape, or use upper body positioning to create leverage for defensive movements
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain awareness of opponent’s upper body positioning, control their hands when possible, and be prepared to defend counter-attacks while maintaining leg entanglement

  • ❌ Incorrect weight distribution - putting too much weight on hands or upper body instead of hips

    • Consequence: Reduced control pressure on the entanglement, making it easier for opponent to move and escape while tiring your arms unnecessarily
    • ✅ Correction: Distribute weight primarily through your hips into the entanglement point, using hands for balance and adjustment rather than primary pressure

  • ❌ Attacking wrong heel - confusing inside and outside heel hook positions and angles

    • Consequence: Ineffective submission attempts with poor mechanical advantage, wasted energy, and potential loss of position
    • ✅ Correction: Verify heel position (heel toward your centerline equals inside heel hook), understand the mechanical difference, and attack only when proper angle is established

  • Outside Ashi-Garami - Primary entry position with similar leg entanglement theory but different heel exposure angle

  • Saddle - Alternative leg entanglement with both legs trapped, higher control but different submission mechanics

  • 50-50 Guard - Symmetrical leg entanglement that can transition to Inside Sankaku when one player establishes superior positioning

  • Single Leg X-Guard - Common entry position that facilitates transition into Inside Sankaku

  • Cross Ashi-Garami - Related entanglement with similar leg configuration but opposite heel exposure

  • Kneebar Control - Alternative submission option when heel hook defenses are strong

  • Back Control - Alternative advancement when opponent sacrifices back to defend leg attack

  • Deep Half Guard - Guard position that can transition to leg entanglements including Inside Sankaku