Toe Hold Control Top

Toe Hold Control Top is an advanced leg entanglement position where the top practitioner controls the opponent’s leg with the goal of executing a toe hold submission. This position is characterized by the top player securing the opponent’s foot in their armpit while establishing control over the lower leg, creating a direct path to the toe hold finish. The position requires precise ankle isolation and proper grip configuration to prevent escapes while maintaining the structural integrity needed for submission application. As a top-side leg entanglement position, Toe Hold Control Top offers significant offensive advantages through the combination of postural control and isolated joint attack. The top player maintains superior leverage by controlling the opponent’s leg across their body while using their bodyweight and arm configuration to create rotational pressure on the ankle joint. This position is frequently entered from various ashi garami variations, saddle positions, or during leg entanglement transitions when the opponent’s foot becomes exposed. Success in this position depends on maintaining proper distance management to prevent the opponent from sitting up while simultaneously securing the mechanical advantage necessary for the toe hold finish. The position exemplifies modern leg lock methodology where control precedes submission, emphasizing positional dominance before attempting the finish.

Position Definition

• Top player’s chest positioned over opponent’s lower leg with bodyweight creating downward pressure preventing leg extraction while maintaining forward pressure on the knee line
• Opponent’s foot secured deeply in top player’s armpit with the toes pointing toward the ceiling, blade of the foot pressed against the lateral ribs for maximum rotational control
• Top player’s arms wrapped around opponent’s ankle and foot with hands clasped in a figure-four or gable grip configuration, creating a closed system that isolates the ankle joint from the rest of the leg
• Opponent’s knee oriented either inward or outward depending on the toe hold variation being pursued, with the top player’s hip positioning controlling the knee line to prevent rotational escape
• Top player’s base distributed across their knees and hips with sufficient weight distribution to prevent opponent from sitting up while maintaining mobility for angle adjustments

Prerequisites

• Successful entry from ashi garami position with foot isolated from hip control
• Opponent’s foot exposed and accessible for grip establishment
• Top player has established superior angle preventing immediate leg extraction
• Proper distance management achieved to control opponent’s upper body posture
• Initial control of opponent’s leg preventing immediate defensive rotation

Key Offensive Principles

• Maintain deep foot positioning in armpit with consistent pressure against the ribcage to maximize rotational leverage on the ankle joint
• Control opponent’s knee line through hip positioning and body angle to prevent rotational escape and maintain structural integrity of the leg entanglement
• Establish tight grip configuration around ankle with elbows close to body, eliminating space that allows foot extraction or grip breaking
• Distribute bodyweight strategically to prevent opponent from sitting up while maintaining enough mobility to adjust angles for submission finishing
• Keep opponent’s leg isolated from their hip by maintaining proper distance and angle, preventing them from generating defensive power through hip extension
• Monitor opponent’s free leg positioning constantly to defend against counters and transitions while maintaining primary leg control
• Progress control systematically from position establishment to grip refinement to submission application, never rushing the finish before control is absolute

Available Attacks

Toe Hold → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 35%
• Intermediate: 55%
• Advanced: 75%

Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 50%
• Intermediate: 65%
• Advanced: 80%

Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami

Success Rates:

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

Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle

Success Rates:

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

Straight Ankle Lock → Straight Ankle Lock Control

Success Rates:

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

Kneebar from Top → Kneebar Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 65%

Opponent Escapes

• Ashi Garami Escape → Open Guard (Opponent Success: 35%)
• Hip Escape → Open Guard (Opponent Success: 40%)
• Saddle Defense → Half Guard (Opponent Success: 30%)
• Technical Standup → Standing Position (Opponent Success: 25%)
• Rolling Back Take → Back Control (Opponent Success: 20%)

Escape Counters

• Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle
  • Opponent attempts to pull their leg back and sit up to escape
• Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami
  • Opponent rotates their knee outward attempting to clear the entanglement
• Kneebar from Top → Kneebar Control
  • Opponent extends their leg straight while attempting to kick free
• Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami
  • Opponent rotates their knee inward and attempts to turn away

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent maintains flat posture and cannot sit up:

• Execute Toe Hold → Won by Submission (Probability: 75%)
• Execute Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 65%)

If opponent sits up and begins to extract their leg:

• Execute Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle (Probability: 70%)
• Execute Inside Ashi Entry → Inside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 60%)

If opponent extends leg and pushes away with straight leg:

• Execute Kneebar from Top → Kneebar Control (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Straight Ankle Lock → Straight Ankle Lock Control (Probability: 60%)

If opponent rotates knee outward and attempts to clear entanglement:

• Execute Outside Ashi Entry → Outside Ashi-Garami (Probability: 70%)
• Execute Toe Hold → Won by Submission (Probability: 55%)

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Failing to secure deep foot positioning in the armpit before attempting the toe hold finish

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent can extract their foot from the control, eliminating submission leverage and allowing complete escape from the leg entanglement
• ✅ Correction: Establish complete foot isolation with the blade of the foot pressed against ribs before any rotational pressure is applied, ensuring the foot cannot slip out during the finish

2. Allowing opponent to sit up to a perpendicular angle while maintaining only foot control

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent gains superior posture that enables powerful leg extraction through hip extension and creates opportunity for counter-attacks or complete position reversal
• ✅ Correction: Maintain constant forward pressure with chest over opponent’s lower leg and use body positioning to control the knee line, preventing the postural recovery that enables escape

3. Gripping too high on the ankle or shin instead of isolating the foot itself

• ❌ Consequence: Rotational pressure dissipates across larger surface area without concentrating force on the ankle joint, resulting in ineffective submission attempts and wasted energy
• ✅ Correction: Secure grips specifically around the foot and lower ankle with hands clasped below the ankle joint, creating concentrated rotational leverage directly on the targeted structure

4. Neglecting to control opponent’s free leg positioning during toe hold setup

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent uses free leg to push on hip or knee, creating distance that facilitates leg extraction or enables them to sit up and escape the position entirely
• ✅ Correction: Monitor free leg constantly and use hip positioning or knee pressure to limit opponent’s ability to generate pushing power with their non-trapped leg

5. Rotating the foot too quickly without establishing structural control of the position

• ❌ Consequence: Premature rotation alerts opponent to submission danger before control is absolute, triggering explosive defensive reactions that may result in losing the position or injury to opponent
• ✅ Correction: Follow systematic progression of control establishment, grip refinement, and only then submission application, ensuring opponent has no escape before applying rotational pressure

6. Maintaining static position without adjusting angle based on opponent’s defensive reactions

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent finds consistent escape route through predictable positioning, eventually extracting their leg or reversing position through superior adaptability
• ✅ Correction: Continuously adjust body angle and hip positioning in response to opponent’s movements, maintaining control through dynamic positioning rather than static strength

Training Drills for Attacks

Toe Hold Control Establishment Drill

Partner starts in ashi garami bottom position with foot exposed. Top player practices securing deep foot positioning in armpit, establishing proper grip configuration, and controlling knee line through hip positioning. Focus on systematic progression from initial entry to complete control without rushing to submission. Perform 5 repetitions per side with partner providing progressive resistance levels.

Duration: 5 minutes per side

Positional Sparring from Toe Hold Control Top

Begin in established toe hold control top position with proper grips secured. Bottom player attempts various escape sequences including sitting up, leg extraction, and rotation while top player maintains position and transitions between ashi garami variations and toe hold finishing positions. Reset when bottom player escapes or top player achieves submission position.

Duration: 3-minute rounds

Submission Sequence Flow Drill

Top player flows between toe hold control, outside ashi, inside ashi, and saddle positions based on partner’s defensive movements. Partner provides realistic but controlled resistance, creating scenarios that require position adjustment and transitional control. Practice maintaining connection through all transitions without allowing leg extraction. 10 complete flow sequences per side.

Duration: 8 minutes

Defensive Counter Recognition Drill

Partner in bottom position performs specific escape attempts including hip escape, leg pullback, knee rotation, and sit-up at random intervals. Top player must recognize the escape type and execute appropriate counter-transition such as saddle entry, ashi variation change, or angle adjustment. Emphasize reaction speed and maintenance of control through defensive sequences. 15 defensive scenarios per round.

Duration: 6 minutes per side

Optimal Submission Paths

Direct finish path from established control

Toe Hold Control Top → Toe Hold → Won by Submission

Ashi variation adjustment path

Toe Hold Control Top → Outside Ashi-Garami → Toe Hold → Won by Submission

Saddle transition path for resistant opponents

Toe Hold Control Top → Saddle Entry from Top → Saddle → Toe Hold → Won by Submission

Straight ankle backup path

Toe Hold Control Top → Straight Ankle Lock Control → Straight Ankle Lock → Won by Submission

Extended leg exploitation path

Toe Hold Control Top → Kneebar Control → Kneebar from Top → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	45%	35%	30%
Intermediate	60%	55%	50%
Advanced	75%	70%	65%

Average Time in Position: 20-45 seconds

Related Positions and Techniques

• Toe Hold Control Bottom - Sibling variant representing defensive perspective of same position
• Toe Hold - Primary submission finish from this position
• Outside Ashi-Garami - Common transition target when opponent rotates knee outward
• Inside Ashi-Garami - Alternative ashi position accessed through knee line rotation
• Saddle - Advanced transition when opponent sits up or attempts leg extraction
• Straight Ankle Lock Control - Alternative submission control position with similar leg entanglement
• Danaher Leg Lock System - Systematic framework governing position hierarchy and transition logic
• Craig Jones Leg Lock System - Modern application methodology emphasizing control before submission
• Leg Entanglement - Fundamental concept governing all ashi-based positions and controls
• Submission Control Position - Conceptual framework for maintaining dominant position during submission attempts