⚠️ SAFETY: Achilles Lock targets the Achilles tendon and ankle joint. Risk: Achilles tendon rupture or tear. Release immediately upon tap.
The Achilles Lock is a fundamental leg lock submission that targets the Achilles tendon and ankle joint by creating hyperextension and compression. Unlike heel hooks which attack rotational integrity, the Achilles Lock applies straight pressure to the posterior ankle, making it one of the safer leg attacks when applied with control. This submission is legal at all IBJJF belt levels (with straight ankle variations) and serves as the foundation for understanding leg lock mechanics. The position is typically entered from Ashi Garami variations, Single Leg X Guard, or during scrambles when controlling an opponent’s leg. The effectiveness of the Achilles Lock depends on precise hip placement, proper grip configuration, and the ability to create a fulcrum against the opponent’s Achilles tendon using your forearm or wrist bone. Understanding this submission is essential for developing a complete leg lock game and provides critical defensive awareness for all practitioners.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Leg Lock Target Area: Achilles tendon and ankle joint Starting Position: Ashi Garami Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles tendon rupture or tear | High | 6-12 months with surgery, potential permanent damage |
| Ankle ligament damage (ATFL, deltoid ligament) | Medium | 4-8 weeks with proper rehabilitation |
| Calf muscle strain or tear | Medium | 2-6 weeks depending on severity |
| Plantar fascia strain | Low | 1-3 weeks with rest |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum from initial pressure to full extension. Never spike or jerk the submission.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any distress signal)
- Physical hand tap on partner or mat
- Physical foot tap with free leg
- Any unusual screaming or distress vocalization
- Loss of resistance or going limp
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release hip extension and return hips to mat
- Maintain leg control but remove all pressure from ankle
- Slowly open guard and release leg in controlled manner
- Check with partner verbally before resuming training
- Never release suddenly or drop the leg
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply at competition speed during training
- Always communicate with training partner about pressure levels
- Stop immediately at any sign of discomfort
- Beginners should only practice setup and positioning without pressure
- Never combine with twisting or rotational pressure
- Avoid training this submission if partner has existing ankle or Achilles injuries
Key Principles
- Hip extension creates the primary breaking mechanism - hips must drive forward while controlling the heel
- The fulcrum point (forearm or wrist bone) must be positioned precisely on the Achilles tendon, not the calf muscle
- Foot position matters critically - opponent’s toes must point toward you with heel controlled in your armpit
- Your knees must stay tight together to prevent the opponent from extracting their leg through the gap
- Head and shoulders should drive backward while hips extend forward, creating opposing forces
- The grip must be configured to prevent the foot from turning - figure-four or gable grip with heel trapped
- Control the leg before applying pressure - position first, then slowly extend hips for the finish
Prerequisites
- Establish Ashi Garami position with opponent’s leg captured between your legs
- Your inside leg must be across opponent’s hip to prevent them from coming up or turning
- Your outside leg must hook behind opponent’s trapped knee to control leg extension
- Opponent’s heel must be secured in your armpit with foot positioned correctly (toes toward you)
- Your hips must be close to opponent’s hip - no space between your seat and their leg
- Upper body posture allows you to lean back and create the breaking angle
Execution Steps
- Secure the leg position: From Ashi Garami, ensure your inside leg is firmly across the opponent’s hip with your foot on the mat for base. Your outside leg hooks behind their trapped knee with your foot locked to your own hip. Your knees should be squeezed tightly together with no gap. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to establish solid position) [Pressure: Light]
- Grip configuration for heel control: Reach across and grab your opponent’s heel with both hands. Configure a figure-four grip (one hand grabs opposite wrist) or gable grip (palms together). The heel must be trapped deep in your armpit with the Achilles tendon exposed. Ensure the foot cannot rotate or turn. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to secure grip) [Pressure: Light]
- Position the fulcrum point: Adjust your grip so that either your radius bone (wrist bone on thumb side) or your forearm creates a sharp edge directly against the opponent’s Achilles tendon. This should be positioned approximately 2-3 inches above the heel. The sharper the angle, the more effective the submission. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to find exact placement) [Pressure: Light]
- Create the initial angle: Begin to lean your upper body backward while keeping your hips close to the opponent. Your shoulders should start moving away from the opponent’s leg. This creates the foundational angle needed for the submission. Do not extend hips yet. (Timing: 2-3 seconds gradual lean) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Hip extension for breaking pressure: While maintaining the backward lean, begin to slowly extend your hips forward and upward. Drive your hips toward the ceiling while pulling the heel into your armpit. The combination of hip extension, backward lean, and fulcrum pressure creates the Achilles lock. Apply pressure progressively over 3-5 seconds. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive pressure) [Pressure: Firm]
- Final adjustment and finish: Make micro-adjustments to maximize pressure: ensure toes are still pointed toward you, fulcrum is on Achilles (not calf), and your knees remain tight. If opponent hasn’t tapped, incrementally increase hip extension while maintaining all positional controls. Stop immediately upon tap. (Timing: 1-3 seconds for adjustments) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Opponent turns their knee inward to rotate the foot and relieve pressure on Achilles tendon (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Immediately tighten your knees together and use your inside leg to prevent hip rotation. Adjust your grip to maintain heel control and reposition fulcrum as foot alignment changes. You may need to transition to outside Ashi or switch to toe hold.
- Opponent sits up and drives forward into you to remove the angle and reduce hip extension (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use your inside leg posted on their hip to create a strong frame. Maintain backward lean with your upper body and use your free hand to post behind you for base. Keep hips elevated and extend harder to maintain breaking pressure despite their forward movement.
- Opponent extracts their leg by pulling knee back through the gap between your legs (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Squeeze your knees together tighter before they create space. If you feel the leg starting to extract, immediately follow their hip movement and maintain outside leg hook behind their knee. You may need to transition to a different Ashi variation or re-establish position.
- Opponent grabs their own foot or shin to create a defensive frame and block your hip extension (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This defense is typically ineffective against proper technique. Continue hip extension - their arm frame will not prevent the Achilles compression. Focus on maintaining fulcrum position and angle. Their grip may actually help keep the foot positioned correctly.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the absolute minimum time you should take to apply pressure when finishing an Achilles Lock in training? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The absolute minimum is 3-5 seconds of progressive pressure from initial tension to full extension. This gives your training partner adequate time to recognize the submission and tap safely before any damage occurs to the Achilles tendon or ankle ligaments. In training, you should prioritize safety over speed and apply pressure even more slowly when working with newer partners.
Q2: Where exactly should the fulcrum point (wrist bone or forearm) be positioned for an effective Achilles Lock? A: The fulcrum point should be positioned directly on the Achilles tendon, approximately 2-3 inches above the heel bone. It should not be on the calf muscle (too high) or on the heel bone itself (too low). You should be able to feel the hard, cord-like structure of the tendon under your wrist bone or forearm edge. The sharper and more precise this placement, the more effective the submission.
Q3: What are the three primary components that create breaking pressure in an Achilles Lock? A: The three primary components are: (1) Hip extension - driving your hips forward and upward toward the ceiling, (2) Backward lean - moving your shoulders and upper body away from the opponent while maintaining heel control, and (3) Fulcrum pressure - the sharp edge of your wrist bone or forearm pressing into the Achilles tendon. These three elements work together to create opposing forces that compress and hyperextend the ankle joint.
Q4: If your opponent begins to extract their leg by pulling it through the gap between your legs, what is your primary defensive adjustment? A: Your primary adjustment is to immediately squeeze your knees together tighter to close any gap. Your legs should function like a vice with no space for extraction. Additionally, ensure your outside leg hook behind their knee is secure, and follow their hip movement if they’re pulling back. If extraction continues, you may need to transition to a different Ashi variation (inside or outside) or re-establish position before attempting the submission.
Q5: Why must the opponent’s toes be pointed toward you (not turned outward) for an effective Achilles Lock? A: The toes must point toward you because this foot alignment exposes the Achilles tendon to direct pressure from your fulcrum point. If the foot turns outward (external rotation), the Achilles tendon rotates away from the pressure point and the compression moves to the side of the ankle instead. This not only makes the submission ineffective but also changes the injury mechanics. Proper foot alignment is essential for both technique effectiveness and controlled application of pressure to the intended target area.
Q6: What should you do immediately after your training partner taps to an Achilles Lock? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately release hip extension and return your hips to the mat to remove all breaking pressure. Maintain leg control but eliminate pressure from the ankle. Then slowly open your guard and release the leg in a controlled manner - never drop it suddenly. Verbally check with your partner before resuming training to ensure they’re okay. This controlled release protocol prevents additional injury and maintains a safe training environment.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Achilles Lock represents the entry point into the leg lock system - it is the submission that teaches fundamental principles of heel control, hip extension, and fulcrum mechanics that apply across all leg attacks. The primary technical error I observe is practitioners attempting to muscle the submission with arm strength rather than using hip extension as the primary motor. Your arms are merely connectors - they position the fulcrum and control the heel, but your hips generate the breaking pressure. The second critical element is understanding that the Achilles Lock, when applied correctly, should feel inevitable to the opponent rather than sudden. Proper positioning eliminates their escape options before you even begin to apply pressure. In training, this submission must be approached with exceptional care because the Achilles tendon has less blood supply than many other tissues, making injury recovery particularly difficult. Apply pressure slowly and progressively, treating every repetition as an opportunity to refine positional control rather than pursuing the tap. The student who masters the Achilles Lock with perfect technique and safety consciousness has built the foundation for understanding the entire leg lock ecosystem.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the Achilles Lock is incredibly high-percentage when you truly commit to the position and understand the mechanics. Too many people bail on the position or apply it half-heartedly, but if you establish proper Ashi control and configure your grips correctly, this submission is extremely difficult to defend. The key distinction between training and competition application is psychological - in training, you must give your partners time to tap and apply pressure slowly. In competition, while you still extend your hips progressively, you’re applying pressure with intent to finish immediately. That said, even in competition I’m extending my hips over 2-3 seconds rather than spiking it - it’s about committed, progressive pressure versus slow, teaching pressure. The Achilles also serves as an excellent setup for other leg attacks. When opponents defend by turning their knee, you can transition to outside Ashi or toe hold. When they pull back, you can follow to inside Ashi or 50-50. The submission itself is dangerous but manageable with proper technique - I’ve finished countless Achilles Locks in competition and training without causing serious injury because I understand the mechanics and apply them precisely. Master this before moving to heel hooks.
- Eddie Bravo: The Achilles Lock is fundamental, but it’s also where a lot of people get creative with variations in the 10th Planet system. We look at it not just as an isolated submission but as part of a leg control system that includes transitions to Electric Chair, Vaporizer, and other positions. One variation we emphasize is the belly-down Achilles Lock where you turn face-down and use your body weight - this is particularly effective in no-gi when grips are sweaty and harder to maintain. The traditional gi approach of sitting back works great, but when you go belly-down, you can use your chest and shoulder pressure to drive the submission while maintaining better control. Safety-wise, this is one area where we’re extremely conservative in the gym. The Achilles tendon is no joke - I’ve seen too many injuries from people cranking ankle locks too fast. In our system, you drill the position and mechanics extensively before ever applying pressure, and even advanced students go slow in training. The innovation comes in how you enter the position and chain submissions together, not in how fast or hard you apply pressure to the joint. Create the dilemma - threaten the Achilles, be ready to transition to knee attacks or sweeps when they defend. Keep your training partners healthy so they can train tomorrow.