Outside Heel Hook

SAFETY: Outside Heel Hook targets the Knee joint, ankle joint, and surrounding ligaments. Risk: ACL tear (anterior cruciate ligament rupture). Release immediately upon tap.

Play as Attacker Play as Defender

The Outside Heel Hook is one of the most dangerous and effective leg lock submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, targeting the knee joint through rotational force applied to the heel and foot. Unlike inside heel hooks which attack from inside positioning, the outside heel hook is applied when controlling the opponent’s leg from the outside position, typically from outside ashi-garami or similar leg entanglement positions. This submission creates torque on the knee joint by rotating the foot and lower leg while the upper leg remains fixed, placing tremendous stress on the ACL, MCL, meniscus, and other knee structures.

The outside heel hook gained prominence in modern no-gi competition through the leg lock revolution and has become a fundamental finishing position in high-level competition. The mechanical advantage created by proper hip positioning and heel control makes this one of the highest percentage finishing attacks from leg entanglement positions. Due to its extreme injury potential and the speed at which damage occurs, this technique requires exceptional technical precision, safety awareness, and should only be practiced by experienced grapplers with trustworthy training partners.

The position demands systematic control before any finishing attempt: hip control with the inside leg prevents defensive rotation, hip extension removes slack from the system, and a deep heel cup provides the rotational lever. Only when all three control elements are established should the practitioner begin slow, progressive rotation. This submission represents the ultimate test of a grappler’s responsibility, as the margin between a clean tap and a catastrophic injury is razor-thin.

Category: Joint Lock Type: Leg Lock Target Area: Knee joint, ankle joint, and surrounding ligaments Starting Position: Outside Ashi-Garami From Position: Outside Ashi-Garami (Bottom) Success Rate: 45%

Safety Guide

Injury Risks:

Injury	Severity	Recovery Time
ACL tear (anterior cruciate ligament rupture)	CRITICAL	9-12 months with surgical reconstruction
MCL tear (medial collateral ligament damage)	CRITICAL	6-12 months depending on grade
Meniscus tear	High	3-6 months with potential surgery
LCL damage (lateral collateral ligament)	High	6-8 weeks to 6 months
PCL strain (posterior cruciate ligament)	High	3-6 months
Ankle ligament damage	Medium	4-8 weeks

Application Speed: EXTREMELY SLOW - minimum 5-7 seconds progressive pressure in training, NEVER sudden rotation

Tap Signals:

• Verbal tap (primary)
• Physical hand tap on partner or mat
• Physical foot tap with free leg
• Any vocal distress signal
• Frantic movement or panic response
• Any indication of discomfort

Release Protocol:

1. Immediately release rotational pressure on heel
2. Release the figure-four grip or heel cup
3. Remove hip pressure and extension
4. Allow opponent to straighten leg naturally
5. Check partner’s condition before continuing
6. Never apply rotation while releasing

Training Restrictions:

• NEVER apply sudden rotational force - always slow and progressive
• NEVER practice at competition speed during training
• NEVER continue past first sign of discomfort
• Only train with experienced partners who understand leg locks
• Always ensure clear communication before training leg locks
• Tap early and often - do not test flexibility limits
• Prohibited for white and blue belts in most IBJJF competitions
• Never practice on injured knees or with prior knee injuries without medical clearance

Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	game-over	60%
Failure	Outside Ashi-Garami	25%
Counter	Standing Position	15%

Attacker vs Defender

	Attacker	Defender
Focus	Execute and finish	Escape and survive
Key Principles	Control the hip to prevent rotation and escape before attack…	Rotate your knee line inward toward the attacker immediately…
Options	6 execution steps	4 defensive options

Playing as Attacker

→ Full Attacker Guide

Key Principles

• Control the hip to prevent rotation and escape before attacking the heel

• Cup the heel with arms in figure-four configuration to maximize rotational control

• Extend hips to create initial tension and straighten the leg

• Rotate the heel toward the outside (away from opponent’s centerline) while maintaining leg extension

• Keep opponent’s knee line pointing away from you to maximize torque on joint

• Apply rotation slowly and progressively - damage occurs rapidly once threshold is crossed

• Maintain constant pressure on opponent’s hip with your leg to prevent defensive rotation

Execution Steps

• Establish outside ashi-garami position: Secure outside ashi-garami with your inside leg hooking over opponent’s hip and your outside leg con…

• Cup the heel with both hands: Reach over the top of opponent’s foot and cup their heel with both hands, creating a figure-four gri…

• Extend hips to create leg straightness: Push your hips forward toward your opponent while maintaining heel control, creating extension in th…

• Position heel for rotational control: Adjust your grip so the heel is secured with maximum rotational potential. The heel should be cupped…

• Apply slow outside rotation to heel: While maintaining hip extension and hip control, begin rotating the heel toward the outside (away fr…

• Maintain pressure until tap: Continue the slow, steady rotational pressure while maintaining all control points: hip extension, h…

Common Mistakes

• Applying sudden or jerking rotation to the heel

  • Consequence: Catastrophic knee injury to training partner with permanent damage
  • Correction: Always apply rotation slowly and progressively over 5-7 seconds minimum in training. Feel for resistance and watch partner for tap signals. Speed in training is never acceptable for heel hooks.

• Attempting submission before securing positional control

  • Consequence: Partner escapes easily and position is lost, or partial pressure applied incorrectly causing injury without proper control
  • Correction: Establish outside ashi-garami fully, break all grips, and secure heel control before applying any rotational pressure. Position before submission always.

• Failing to control opponent’s hip with inside leg

  • Consequence: Opponent rotates knee line inward, escaping the submission and potentially reversing position
  • Correction: Keep constant pressure with inside leg across opponent’s hip and lower abdomen. This prevents their primary defensive rotation and maintains outside positioning.

Playing as Defender

→ Full Defender Guide

Key Principles

• Rotate your knee line inward toward the attacker immediately to reduce rotational torque on the knee joint before any rotation is applied

• Fight the hands aggressively to prevent the heel cup from being established - breaking grips early is far easier than escaping a locked figure-four

• Never allow full leg extension by keeping your knee bent and actively pulling your heel toward your hip to maintain slack in the system

• Tap immediately if the heel is cupped with locked hands and rotation has begun - there is no shame in tapping early to heel hooks

• Use your free leg to create frames on attacker’s hips and push to create separation that weakens their control structure

• Stay calm and systematic rather than panicking with explosive movements that can accelerate injury

• Recognize the point of no return and differentiate between positions you can escape and positions requiring immediate tap

Recognition Cues

• Opponent secures outside ashi-garami with their inside leg hooking over your hip and outside leg controlling your trapped leg from the outside

• Opponent’s hands reach for your heel, attempting to cup it with both arms in a figure-four or similar grip configuration

• You feel hip extension pressure as opponent pushes their hips forward to straighten your trapped leg, removing slack from the system

• Your knee line is pointing away from the attacker (outward), indicating they have achieved the outside positioning needed for the heel hook

Escape Paths

• Rotate knee inward while stripping heel grip with both hands, then extract leg through the weakened triangle using internal hip rotation and standing base

• Create frames on attacker’s hips with free leg, push to create separation while maintaining bent knee position, then thread leg out using circular hip movement rather than straight pulling

• Roll toward the trapped leg to follow the rotation direction, relieving pressure while creating scramble opportunities to extract or transition to top position

Variations

Outside heel hook from 50-50 guard: From 50-50 guard position where legs are mirrored, transition to outside control by freeing your inside leg and establishing it over opponent’s hip. This creates the outside ashi position from 50-50, allowing the standard outside heel hook attack. Often used when inside heel hook attempts from 50-50 are defended. (When to use: When opponent successfully defends inside heel hook from 50-50 by controlling your legs, or when you achieve 50-50 but have better outside positioning available)

Outside heel hook from backside 50-50: From backside 50-50 (back-to-back leg entanglement), you have natural outside control of opponent’s leg. Establish heel control while maintaining back-to-back positioning. The mechanics are similar but your body is facing away from opponent. This variation is common in scrambles and transitions. (When to use: During scrambles from leg entanglements, or when opponent forces backside 50-50 during leg lock exchanges)

Outside heel hook from cross ashi-garami: From cross ashi position where you control opponent’s opposite leg (right leg controlling their left leg), you have outside positioning. This creates a different angle of attack and is often more difficult for opponent to defend due to the crossed configuration limiting their mobility. (When to use: After passing to cross ashi from guard transitions, or when opponent presents cross-body leg during scrambles)

Standing outside heel hook (takedown finish): When opponent is standing and you secure outside ashi from bottom or during scramble, you can attack the heel hook while sitting with them standing. Fall back to create extension and finish the submission during the takedown. This variation is common in no-gi competition and requires excellent timing. (When to use: When securing outside ashi from bottom during standing exchanges, or when opponent attempts to stand from leg entanglement)

From Which Positions?

• Outside Ashi-Garami
• Cross Ashi-Garami
• 50-50 Guard
• Backside 50-50
• Ashi Garami
• Saddle
• Honey Hole

Related Submissions

• Inside Heel Hook
• Heel Hook from Saddle
• Kneebar
• Toe Hold
• Straight Ankle Lock
• Calf Slicer
• Estima Lock Finish
• Outside Heel Hook from Backside 50-50
• Outside Heel Hook from Cross Ashi
• Inside Heel Hook from Honey Hole

Additional Related Content

• Outside Ashi-Garami - Primary attacking position for this submission
• Inside Heel Hook - Mirror submission from inside positioning
• Saddle - Alternative attacking position with similar mechanics
• Cross Ashi-Garami - Entry position providing outside control
• Kneebar Control - Alternative leg attack control position from same entanglements
• 50-50 Guard - Common entry position requiring transition to outside control
• Leg Entanglement - Conceptual principle underlying all leg lock positions
• Backside 50-50 - Transition position with natural outside control
• Ashi Garami - Parent leg entanglement category
• Straight Ankle Lock Control - Lower-risk alternative control position from similar entanglements

Match Outcome

Successful execution of Outside Heel Hook leads to → Game Over

All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.