⚠️ SAFETY: Straight Ankle Lock targets the Ankle joint, Achilles tendon, and foot ligaments. Risk: Ankle sprain or ligament damage. Release immediately upon tap.
The Straight Ankle Lock (also called Straight Footlock) is the most fundamental lower body submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, targeting the ankle joint through hyperextension while controlling the leg in Ashi Garami or similar entanglement positions. Unlike heel hooks which attack multiple planes, the straight ankle lock creates a single-axis pressure on the ankle, making it the safest entry point for leg lock training and the foundational technique from which all other lower body attacks develop. The submission works by securing the opponent’s foot in your armpit, creating a fulcrum point with your forearm across the top of the foot, then extending your hips forward while pulling back on the foot to create hyperextension of the ankle. The straight ankle lock is legal at all belt levels in IBJJF competition (unlike heel hooks and most knee attacks), making it an essential tool for competitors and a critical defensive skill for all practitioners. When properly applied, the submission creates progressive pressure that allows training partners to recognize the danger and tap before injury occurs, though the ankle joint can be compromised rapidly if excessive force is applied. The technique’s effectiveness lies in proper leg control, hip positioning, and the relationship between your chest and the opponent’s knee line—control these elements and the finish becomes inevitable regardless of the opponent’s defensive efforts.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Ankle Lock Target Area: Ankle joint, Achilles tendon, and foot ligaments Starting Position: Ashi Garami Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle sprain or ligament damage | Medium | 2-6 weeks depending on severity |
| Achilles tendon strain or rupture | High | 3-6 months for complete rupture, 4-8 weeks for strain |
| Tibialis anterior tendon damage | Medium | 3-6 weeks |
| Foot bone fracture (rare but possible with explosive application) | High | 6-12 weeks |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum in training, allowing partner to recognize depth and tap safely
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (clearly audible ‘tap’ or ‘stop’)
- Physical hand tap on opponent or mat (minimum 2 taps)
- Physical foot tap with free leg
- Any distress signal including unusual sounds or movements
Release Protocol:
- Immediately stop hip extension the moment tap is felt or heard
- Release armpit grip on the foot and allow it to slide free
- Open leg entanglement by releasing hooks and creating space
- Move away from the leg to prevent re-engagement
- Check with partner verbally to ensure they are okay
Training Restrictions:
- Never spike or jerk the submission—apply smooth, progressive pressure only
- Never use competition speed in training rolls—always allow 3-5 second window
- Always maintain verbal communication with training partners about pressure levels
- Never continue pressure after tap signal is given
- Beginners should train this submission under direct instructor supervision initially
- Never combine explosive entries with immediate finishing pressure
Key Principles
- Leg Control First: Secure dominant Ashi Garami position before attempting finish—the submission fails without proper leg entanglement
- Foot Across Centerline: The opponent’s foot must cross your body’s centerline and secure deep in armpit to create proper leverage angle
- Forearm Blade Position: Place the blade of your forearm (thumb-side) across the top of the foot near the ankle, not the toes
- Hip Extension Creates Finish: The submission comes from extending your hips forward into the opponent’s leg while maintaining armpit control
- Chest to Knee Relationship: Keep your chest tight to the opponent’s knee to prevent leg extraction and maintain control throughout
- Progressive Pressure Application: Build pressure gradually over 3-5 seconds in training, allowing partner to recognize danger before injury point
- Opponent’s Knee Direction: Control whether the knee points up (standard) or down (figure-four variation) to limit defensive options
Prerequisites
- Establish Ashi Garami leg entanglement with your inside leg hooking behind opponent’s trapped knee
- Secure opponent’s foot across your centerline and into your armpit with both hands controlling the heel and foot
- Position your chest tight to the opponent’s knee to prevent leg extraction
- Create angle so opponent’s trapped leg is relatively straight while your body is perpendicular or angled
- Establish outside leg position (on hip, floor, or backside for stability depending on variation)
- Break opponent’s grips on your gi or limbs that might disrupt your finishing mechanics
- Ensure opponent’s heel is deep in your armpit, not just held in your hands
Execution Steps
- Secure the Foot Deep in Armpit: With both hands controlling the opponent’s foot and heel, pull the foot across your centerline and wedge it deeply into your armpit (opposite side from the trapped leg). The heel should be fully enclosed by your armpit and latissimus, with your elbow pinched down to trap it. Your hands should be palm-to-palm or figure-four gripped around the ankle and heel area, not the toes. (Timing: Initial setup phase, establish before applying pressure) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Position Forearm Blade Across Top of Foot: Rotate your gripping arms so the blade of your forearm (the thumb-side, radial bone side) lies across the top of the opponent’s foot near where the foot meets the ankle. This creates the fulcrum point for hyperextension. Your wrist should be relatively straight, not bent, to maximize structural strength. The forearm must be high on the foot, not down near the toes where leverage is lost. (Timing: After armpit control established) [Pressure: Light]
- Lock Chest to Opponent’s Knee: Drive your chest forward and down onto the opponent’s knee, creating tight connection. This prevents them from pulling their leg free and ensures your hip extension translates directly into ankle pressure. Your head should be positioned on the outside of their knee (away from their free leg), and your shoulders should be square to their trapped leg. Maintain this connection throughout the finish. (Timing: Simultaneously with forearm positioning) [Pressure: Firm]
- Adjust Hip Position and Angle: Scoot your hips slightly away from the opponent to create proper angle—you want your body perpendicular or at a slight angle to their trapped leg, not parallel. Your inside leg should maintain the hook behind their knee while your outside leg posts on the ground or their hip for base. This angle ensures your hip extension drives into their leg rather than sliding off to the side. (Timing: Final adjustment before pressure application) [Pressure: Light]
- Extend Hips While Pulling Foot Back: Begin extending your hips forward into the opponent’s leg while simultaneously pulling back on their foot with your armpit and arms. The movement should be coordinated—hip extension drives forward pressure while your arms maintain the foot’s position in the armpit. Think of trying to touch your chest to their knee while arching your back slightly. Apply this pressure smoothly and progressively over 3-5 seconds in training. (Timing: Finishing phase, 3-5 second progression) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Increase Pressure Until Tap or Adjust: Continue smooth hip extension and foot retention, increasing pressure gradually. If the opponent defends by grabbing their trapped leg or creating frames, maintain control and adjust angle rather than releasing. If they begin to extract their leg, abandon the finish and return to position control. The tap will come from ankle hyperextension—watch for the tap signal and release immediately upon receiving it. Never jerk or spike the pressure rapidly. (Timing: Final progression to tap) [Pressure: Firm]
- Release Protocol Upon Tap: The moment you feel or hear the tap, immediately stop hip extension, release the armpit grip allowing the foot to slide free, and open your leg entanglement. Create space and move away from the leg to prevent accidental re-engagement. Verbally confirm your partner is okay. Never hold the pressure even momentarily after a tap signal—ankle injuries can occur rapidly once the joint’s capacity is exceeded. (Timing: Immediate upon tap signal) [Pressure: Light]
Opponent Defenses
- Grabbing their own trapped leg with both hands to create a frame and prevent hip extension (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Rather than fighting the grip, shift your angle more perpendicular to their leg, tighten your chest to their knee, and use small hip movements to maintain pressure. Often the grip fatigues and opens up transition to heel hook or back take if they turn away.
- Turning their knee inward (internal rotation) to relieve pressure on the ankle (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Allow the knee to turn slightly while maintaining foot control, then transition to figure-four grip variation or switch to toe hold which capitalizes on this defensive rotation. Do not fight the knee rotation directly—follow it to a better attack.
- Sitting up and reaching for your head or collar to break your posture down (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use your free outside arm to frame against their reaching arm or shoulder, maintaining distance. Keep your head positioned on the outside of their knee where they cannot easily reach it. If they succeed in breaking you forward, transition to back take as they expose their back.
- Extracting their heel from your armpit by pulling their leg back explosively (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Anticipate this by keeping your elbow pinched tight and your grip strong before applying finishing pressure. If they succeed in extraction, do not chase the submission—return to Ashi Garami control and re-establish the setup properly. Chasing creates scrambles that favor the defender.
- Rolling or cartwheeling to relieve pressure and escape the leg entanglement (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Maintain your inside leg hook and chest connection to their knee—this prevents the roll from being effective. If they commit to the cartwheel, follow them over while maintaining control and often you will land in a more dominant position or with their back exposed.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the correct speed of pressure application for a straight ankle lock in training, and why is this critical? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The straight ankle lock must be applied with slow, progressive pressure over 3-5 seconds minimum in training environments. This is critical because it allows your training partner to recognize the depth of the submission and tap before reaching the injury threshold. Ankle joints and Achilles tendons can be damaged rapidly once their capacity is exceeded, and explosive application leaves no safety margin for the tap signal to be given and received. Training is not competition—we preserve our partners’ health so we have people to train with long-term.
Q2: Where exactly should the opponent’s heel be positioned when applying a straight ankle lock, and what happens if this position is incorrect? A: The opponent’s heel must be secured deep in your armpit, fully enclosed by your armpit and latissimus muscle, with your elbow pinched down to trap it completely. If the heel is not deep in the armpit—if it’s only held in your hands or near your chest—you lose the critical leverage point and the opponent can easily extract their foot by pulling back. The armpit position creates a trapped fulcrum that makes extraction nearly impossible when combined with proper chest-to-knee connection, which is why it’s the essential first step of the submission.
Q3: What is the most important positional connection to maintain during the straight ankle lock finish, and why does losing it cause the submission to fail? A: The most important connection is your chest tight to the opponent’s knee throughout the finish. This chest-to-knee connection prevents the opponent from extracting their leg regardless of how they defend. If you lose this connection and space opens between your chest and their knee, they can pull their leg free by bending it or by simply pulling back explosively. All successful leg lock finishes prioritize position control over submission urgency—your chest connection is the position, and the ankle lock is simply the submission that results from maintaining it properly.
Q4: What are all the valid tap signals you must recognize when applying a straight ankle lock, and what is the correct response timing? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Valid tap signals include: verbal tap (‘tap’ or ‘stop’ clearly stated), physical hand tap on you or the mat (minimum 2 taps but respond to 1), physical foot tap with the free leg, and any distress signal including unusual sounds or movements suggesting panic or pain. The correct response is IMMEDIATE release the moment any tap signal is detected—stop hip extension instantly, release the armpit grip, open the leg entanglement, and create space. There is zero acceptable delay between tap recognition and release initiation. When in doubt about whether you felt a tap, release and ask.
Q5: What is the correct angle relationship between your body and the opponent’s trapped leg for maximum straight ankle lock effectiveness? A: Your body should be positioned perpendicular or at a slight angle to the opponent’s trapped leg, not parallel to it. When perpendicular, your hip extension drives pressure directly into their leg structure and translates efficiently into ankle hyperextension. If you are parallel to their leg, your hip extension slides along their leg rather than into it, dramatically reducing pressure and making the submission feel weak despite maximum effort. Small angle adjustments can transform an ineffective attack into an instant tap.
Q6: Why is it dangerous to grip the opponent’s toes or midfoot instead of securing their heel in your armpit, and what injury risks does this create? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Gripping the toes or midfoot fails to create the proper fulcrum point for ankle hyperextension, causing practitioners to compensate by applying excessive force to try to generate pressure. This can lead to foot bone fractures, toe injuries, or sudden joint damage if the foot unexpectedly slides into proper position while maximum force is being applied. Additionally, toe grips allow easy extraction, which can cause practitioners to instinctively jerk or spike pressure to prevent escape, creating the exact dangerous dynamic that causes training injuries. Proper heel control in the armpit ensures smooth, progressive pressure application that is both safer and more effective.
Q7: What should you do if your opponent grabs their own trapped leg with both hands to defend the straight ankle lock, and why is this the correct response? A: Rather than fighting their grip directly (which often fails and burns energy), you should adjust your angle to be more perpendicular to their leg, tighten your chest-to-knee connection, and use small hip movements to maintain pressure while their grip fatigues. Often this defense opens transitions to other attacks—heel hooks if they turn their knee away, or back takes if they commit to the grip and expose their back. The key principle is not to abandon good position control just because the immediate finish is temporarily blocked. Maintain connection and either the finish will open or better attacks will present themselves.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The straight ankle lock is the cornerstone of the entire lower body submission system because it teaches the fundamental principle that leg locks are position-dependent rather than strength-dependent. Most people fail with this submission because they view it as an isolated attack—they grab the foot and immediately try to finish without establishing proper positional control first. The reality is that the straight ankle lock is simply the natural consequence of maintaining dominant Ashi Garami position with correct chest-to-knee connection, proper angle, and deep heel control in the armpit. When these positional elements are present, the finish requires minimal effort; when they are absent, no amount of strength will create a successful submission. This is why we always teach position before submission—establish your Ashi Garami, settle your weight, secure the connections, and only then consider finishing mechanics. From a safety perspective, the straight ankle lock is unique among leg submissions in that it provides clear progressive feedback to both the attacker and defender about submission depth, making it the ideal entry point for leg lock training. However, this does not mean it is injury-free—ankle joints have distinct structural limits, and once those limits are exceeded, damage occurs rapidly regardless of pain feedback. Therefore, training culture must emphasize slow application in the 3-5 second range minimum, allowing the tap signal to be given and received before structural damage occurs. Technically, the submission’s effectiveness is determined by forearm positioning across the top of the foot creating the fulcrum point, hip extension generating the force, and armpit retention preventing escape—these three elements work synergistically and failure in any one element causes the entire submission to fail.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the straight ankle lock is often underestimated because it lacks the dramatic finishing power of heel hooks, but this perspective misses its strategic value entirely. I’ve finished multiple high-level black belts with straight ankle locks not because the submission itself is superior, but because it creates the dilemma that opens other attacks. When you threaten the ankle lock legitimately, opponents must defend by either grabbing their leg (which opens back takes and transitions), turning their knee away (which opens heel hooks), or sitting up (which breaks their defensive structure). The submission itself is one option within a system—I’m often more interested in the defensive reaction it creates than the tap itself. That said, when the position is correct and the opponent’s defenses are exhausted, the straight ankle lock finishes at the highest levels of competition. The key distinction between training and competition application is pressure speed—in training, we apply pressure slowly over several seconds to allow the tap, but in competition, once I’ve confirmed my position is secure and my opponent has had opportunity to tap or defend, I apply finishing pressure much more quickly, in the 1-2 second range. This is possible because elite competitors understand submission depth and tap early before injury occurs, and because competition rules provide referee stoppage as a safety mechanism that doesn’t exist in training. The technical detail that separates beginner and advanced execution is the ability to maintain all your control connections—chest to knee, heel in armpit, forearm positioning—throughout the opponent’s defensive movements and scrambles, rather than having to reset position multiple times. Position retention under resistance is always the mark of technical mastery.
- Eddie Bravo: The straight ankle lock is fundamental but it doesn’t have to be basic—there are creative setups and variations that can catch people who think they understand the submission. One concept we emphasize in 10th Planet is using the ankle lock threat to create movement and opportunities for more complex positions rather than always hunting the finish directly. For example, from lockdown in half guard, threatening the straight ankle lock on the trapped leg can force the opponent to react in ways that open the electric chair sweep or transition to truck position. The ankle lock becomes part of the chain rather than the end goal. From a no-gi perspective where there’s no gi material to grab and stall with, leg entanglements become even more important, and the straight ankle lock is the gateway technique that gets people comfortable with that range. Safety-wise, we’ve built a culture at 10th Planet where people tap early and often to leg submissions, not because we’re soft but because we want everyone training long-term without injuries. We specifically coach new students that tapping to leg locks before you feel significant pain is the smart play—your ego heals overnight but ligament injuries can take months. The straight ankle lock is interesting because unlike a choke where you feel the pressure build gradually and have clear warning before going out, the ankle can go from uncomfortable to injured without much warning if someone applies it explosively. That’s why our drilling protocols require super slow application until people really understand the submission depth and can regulate their pressure automatically. One variation I particularly like is the belly-down ankle lock when people turtle to defend—you can maintain the submission while staying on top rather than going to your back, which is strategically valuable in MMA contexts or in positional sparring where guard pulls score negatively.