BJJ Graph

Leg Hook Bottom

Dec 09, 202515 min read

Leg Hook Bottom Position represents a critical transitional state within the half guard family, characterized by the bottom player’s ability to control one of the top player’s legs using their own leg hooks while maintaining a defensive frame. This position often emerges when the bottom practitioner is working to recover full guard from side control or prevent the completion of a guard pass. The leg hook provides crucial control over the top player’s base and mobility, creating opportunities for sweeps, back takes, and guard recovery while simultaneously defending against passes. Unlike traditional half guard where the legs are wrapped around the opponent’s trapped leg, the leg hook position features more dynamic leg entanglement that can quickly transition to deep half guard, X-guard variations, or single leg X positions. The position requires constant movement and adjustment, as the top player will actively work to free their trapped leg and establish dominant pressure. Success in this position depends on maintaining active frames with the arms, using the leg hook to off-balance the opponent, and timing transitions to more advantageous positions. The leg hook bottom position is particularly valuable in no-gi grappling where traditional gi grips are unavailable, making the leg-based control even more essential for defensive success.

Position Definition

  • Bottom player on their side or back with one leg hooked around opponent’s leg, creating entanglement that restricts top player’s mobility and base while maintaining connection through constant pressure
  • Top player applying forward pressure attempting to flatten bottom player or free their trapped leg, typically with weight distributed toward bottom player’s torso and attempting to establish dominant shoulder control
  • Bottom player maintains at least one defensive frame with arms (underhook, crossface defense, or pushing against opponent’s hips/shoulders) to prevent being flattened completely and losing all offensive options
  • Bottom player’s free leg positioned to create additional barriers, push opponent’s hips, or establish additional hooks for guard recovery or sweep execution
  • Top player’s trapped leg bent and controlled by bottom player’s leg hook, limiting their ability to step over or extract the leg for passing progression

Prerequisites

  • One of opponent’s legs controlled with your leg hook establishing initial control point
  • Defensive frame established with at least one arm preventing immediate flattening
  • Opponent attempting to pass or maintain top pressure with forward intent
  • Bottom player maintaining hip mobility and not completely flattened to mat
  • Space management preventing opponent from achieving full crossface control

Key Defensive Principles

  • Maintain constant leg hook tension to control opponent’s base and prevent leg extraction
  • Keep hips mobile and active, never allowing opponent to flatten you completely to the mat
  • Establish and maintain defensive frames with arms to create distance and prevent crushing pressure
  • Use free leg dynamically to push opponent’s hips, create barriers, or establish additional hooks
  • Time transitions to better positions (deep half, X-guard, sweep attempts) based on opponent’s weight distribution
  • Protect against crossface control which would severely limit mobility and escape options
  • Combine leg hook control with upper body frames to create off-balancing opportunities

Available Escapes

Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 40%
  • Intermediate: 55%
  • Advanced: 70%

Old School Sweep → Mount

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Single Leg X Entry → Single Leg X-Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 35%
  • Intermediate: 50%
  • Advanced: 65%

X-Guard to Ashi Transition → Ashi Garami

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 25%
  • Intermediate: 40%
  • Advanced: 55%

Rolling Back Take → Back Control

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 20%
  • Intermediate: 35%
  • Advanced: 50%

Lockdown Sweeps → Lockdown

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 30%
  • Intermediate: 45%
  • Advanced: 60%

Shin Shield Recovery → Knee Shield Half Guard

Success Rates:

  • Beginner: 45%
  • Intermediate: 60%
  • Advanced: 75%

Opponent Counters

Counter-Attacks

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent drives forward with heavy pressure attempting to flatten you:

Else if opponent attempts to extract their trapped leg by stepping back or standing:

Else if opponent establishes strong crossface and tries to flatten you completely:

Else if opponent maintains good posture but doesn’t drive forward aggressively:

Common Defensive Mistakes

1. Allowing opponent to establish dominant crossface control without fighting hands

  • ❌ Consequence: Severely limits mobility and makes it nearly impossible to create frames or execute sweeps, leading to being flattened and passed
  • ✅ Correction: Actively fight opponent’s crossface attempts with near-side hand, maintain frames at opponent’s neck or shoulder to prevent head control

2. Maintaining static leg hook without adjusting tension or angle based on opponent movement

  • ❌ Consequence: Opponent can systematically work to free their trapped leg through patience and pressure, eventually extracting and completing pass
  • ✅ Correction: Constantly adjust leg hook tension, angle, and depth based on opponent’s weight shifts and escape attempts to maintain control

3. Completely flattening out to back instead of staying on side with proper hip angle

  • ❌ Consequence: Eliminates all mobility and offensive options, makes sweeps impossible, and allows opponent to pin shoulders and advance position
  • ✅ Correction: Stay on your side maintaining hip mobility, use bottom elbow as posting point to prevent being flattened completely

4. Failing to use free leg actively for creating distance or establishing additional hooks

  • ❌ Consequence: Wastes crucial defensive tool that could prevent opponent’s pressure, create space for escapes, or set up transitions to better positions
  • ✅ Correction: Keep free leg active pushing opponent’s hips, creating butterfly hooks, or preparing for deep half transitions

5. Attempting sweeps or transitions without first establishing proper frames and breaking opponent’s base

  • ❌ Consequence: Sweep attempts fail because opponent maintains solid base and pressure, wasting energy and potentially allowing passes
  • ✅ Correction: First establish frames and use leg hook to off-balance opponent before committing to sweep or transition attempts

6. Gripping opponent’s gi or body without purpose instead of creating functional frames

  • ❌ Consequence: Wastes grip strength and arm position without preventing passes or creating offensive opportunities
  • ✅ Correction: Every grip and frame should serve specific purpose: preventing crossface, creating distance, or setting up transitions

Training Drills for Defense

Leg Hook Retention Drill

Partner starts in leg hook bottom position while training partner attempts to extract trapped leg using various methods (stepping back, driving forward, circling). Bottom player focuses on maintaining leg hook control through adjustments while establishing frames. Work 2-minute rounds alternating between maintaining position and attempting extractions.

Duration: 5 rounds of 2 minutes each side

Dynamic Transition Flow

From leg hook bottom position, practice flowing between deep half guard, single leg X, and back to leg hook position. Partner provides moderate resistance but allows transitions to complete. Focus on smooth weight transfers and maintaining control throughout transitions. Gradually increase resistance as technique improves.

Duration: 3 rounds of 3 minutes continuous flow

Crossface Defense Drill

Partner in top position actively works to establish crossface control while bottom player uses frames, head position, and hand fighting to prevent crossface. Once crossface is prevented, bottom player attempts one offensive transition (sweep or position improvement). Reset and repeat. Emphasizes proactive defense rather than reactive escapes.

Duration: 4 rounds of 2 minutes each side

Old School Sweep Repetitions

Isolate the old school sweep from leg hook position with partner providing graduated resistance. Start with compliant partner allowing sweep completion, progress to moderate resistance, finish with full resistance. Focus on timing the sweep when opponent’s weight is forward and using leg hook control to prevent base recovery.

Duration: 10 repetitions each side at each resistance level

Escape and Survival Paths

Leg Lock Path via Deep Half

Leg Hook Bottom → Deep Half Entry → Deep Half Guard → Ashi Garami → Straight Ankle Lock

Back Attack Path

Leg Hook Bottom → Rolling Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke

Sweep to Mount Path

Leg Hook Bottom → Old School Sweep → Mount → Armbar from Mount

Kimura Path from Underhook

Leg Hook Bottom → Underhook Sweep from Half → Side Control → Kimura from Half Guard

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill LevelRetention RateAdvancement ProbabilitySubmission Probability
Beginner45%35%15%
Intermediate60%50%25%
Advanced75%65%40%

Average Time in Position: 30-90 seconds before transition or pass

Expert Analysis

John Danaher

The leg hook bottom position represents a fascinating study in biomechanical leverage and base disruption. What makes this position particularly valuable from a systematic perspective is that the leg hook creates a mechanical disadvantage for the top player that is difficult to overcome without proper technique. The bottom player’s leg hook acts as a powerful fulcrum point that can be used to off-balance the opponent in multiple directions - forward into deep half guard, backward to create distance for guard recovery, or laterally for sweep opportunities. The critical element that most practitioners miss is the relationship between the leg hook tension and the defensive frames created with the arms. These two control systems must work in concert - the leg hook disrupts the opponent’s base while the frames prevent them from using their superior top position to flatten you and eliminate your mobility. From a training methodology perspective, you must develop the ability to maintain leg hook control while simultaneously fighting hands and establishing frames, as losing either element severely compromises the position’s defensive and offensive capabilities. The transition to deep half guard is particularly high-percentage because it capitalizes on the natural defensive response of the top player driving their weight forward to prevent being swept backward.

Gordon Ryan

In competition, the leg hook bottom position is one of those spots where you’re walking a tightrope between recovering guard and getting passed, so your timing and decision-making have to be absolutely on point. What I’ve found at the highest levels is that you can’t afford to be passive in this position - if you just hold the leg hook without active frames and constant pressure, good passers will systematically break you down and complete the pass. The key is using the leg hook to create immediate threats that force your opponent to react, giving you windows to transition to better positions. Against elite competition, I’m looking for the deep half entry almost immediately if they drive forward with pressure, or I’m converting to single leg X if they try to stand and break my hooks. The old school sweep can work at any level if you time it right when their weight commits forward. What separates advanced practitioners in this position is their ability to read the opponent’s weight distribution and pressure instantly and select the appropriate transition without hesitation. You need to have all your options so ingrained that you can execute them explosively when the window opens, because that window is often only available for 1-2 seconds at the elite level.

Eddie Bravo

The leg hook position is where a lot of my half guard system really starts to shine, man. From 10th Planet perspective, this is one of those transitional spots where you can flow into lockdown, deep half, or even set up the electric chair if you know what you’re doing. What I teach my students is to never be static with that leg hook - you gotta be constantly adjusting, constantly threatening, constantly making the top guy uncomfortable. One thing that most people don’t realize is how important your free leg is in this position. That free leg can push their hips, create butterfly hooks, help you get under for deep half, or even start setting up leg locks if you transition to outside positions. The beauty of no-gi grappling from leg hook position is that without gi grips, the top player really has to rely on weight and pressure, which makes them predictable. You know they’re either going to try to smash you flat or try to step over and pass, and both of those reactions give you opportunities. I’m also a huge fan of using the leg hook to set up back takes - if you can get that leg hook deep and combine it with good hand fighting, you can roll under to the truck position or take the back. The key is not seeing this as a defensive position you’re stuck in, but as an offensive launching pad for all kinds of crazy stuff.