⚠️ SAFETY: Toe Hold targets the Ankle, toes, and foot ligaments. Risk: Ankle ligament tears (lateral and medial collateral ligaments). Release immediately upon tap.
The Toe Hold is a powerful leg lock submission that attacks the ankle joint and foot by controlling the heel and applying rotational pressure to the toes and forefoot. Unlike straight ankle locks that compress the joint, the Toe Hold creates a twisting, hyperextending force that threatens multiple structures simultaneously - the ankle ligaments, the small joints of the toes, and the plantar fascia. This makes it an extremely effective finishing technique when applied correctly, but also one that requires exceptional control and awareness due to the injury potential.
The Toe Hold is most commonly applied from leg entanglement positions such as Ashi Garami, 50-50 Guard, or the Saddle position. The submission works by securing the opponent’s heel against your chest or shoulder while gripping the toes and ball of the foot, then rotating the foot inward (internally rotating) while extending the ankle. This combination of rotation and extension creates tremendous pressure on the ankle joint and can force a tap very quickly. The technique is legal in most advanced no-gi competitions but often restricted at lower belt levels due to its injury potential.
What makes the Toe Hold particularly dangerous and effective is the speed at which it can be applied and the difficulty opponents have in recognizing the danger until it’s too late. Unlike heel hooks which have clear warning signs, the Toe Hold can go from a controlling position to a fight-ending submission in a fraction of a second. This rapid application, combined with the fact that the ankle and foot contain numerous small, vulnerable structures, makes proper safety protocols absolutely essential when training this technique.
Category: Joint Lock Type: Leg Lock Target Area: Ankle, toes, and foot ligaments Starting Position: Ashi Garami Success Rates: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle ligament tears (lateral and medial collateral ligaments) | High | 6-12 weeks with potential for chronic instability |
| Toe fractures and dislocations | Medium | 4-8 weeks |
| Plantar fascia rupture | High | 8-16 weeks |
| Lisfranc joint injury (midfoot dislocation) | CRITICAL | 3-6 months, may require surgery |
| Achilles tendon strain | Medium | 4-6 weeks |
Application Speed: EXTREMELY SLOW - 5-7 seconds minimum from initial grip to any pressure. This is NOT a technique to ‘snap on’ in training.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (say ‘tap’ loudly)
- Physical hand tap on partner or mat (multiple taps)
- Physical foot tap with free leg
- Any verbal distress signal
- Slapping the mat with hand
Release Protocol:
- Immediately stop all rotational pressure
- Release toe grip completely
- Release heel control
- Allow opponent’s foot to return to neutral position naturally
- Do not let go abruptly - maintain light contact until opponent signals they are okay
- Check with training partner before continuing
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply sudden rotational force - all pressure must be gradual
- Never grip individual toes - always grip across multiple toes and ball of foot
- Never combine with explosive hip extension
- Always allow clear tap access for both hands
- Stop immediately at any sign of discomfort
- Never train this submission at competition speed
Key Principles
- Heel control is primary - the heel must be secured against your torso before attempting the toe grip
- Rotation and extension work together - neither alone creates the submission, both are required
- Grip the entire forefoot, not individual toes - this distributes pressure and prevents toe fractures
- Your chest/shoulder becomes the fulcrum - the heel stays pinned while the foot rotates around it
- Hip position controls escape options - proper hip placement prevents opponent from rolling out
- The submission tightens as you fall back - lying back increases the extension component
- Opponent’s knee must be controlled - free knee movement allows escapes
Prerequisites
- Secure leg entanglement position (Ashi Garami, 50-50, or Saddle)
- Control opponent’s heel tightly against your chest or shoulder
- Opponent’s knee is controlled and cannot rotate freely
- Your outside leg is over opponent’s trapped leg to prevent extraction
- Your inside leg controls opponent’s hip or blocks their ability to turn into you
- Clear access to opponent’s foot and toes
- Stable base - you must be balanced to apply controlled pressure
- Opponent’s foot is exposed and not tucked behind your leg
Execution Steps
- Establish heel control: From your leg entanglement position, use both hands to grip the opponent’s heel firmly. Pull the heel tight against your chest or shoulder, creating a secure anchor point. The heel should be trapped between your forearm and torso, making it impossible for the opponent to pull their foot away. This is your primary control and must be established before proceeding. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to secure firmly) [Pressure: Firm]
- Transition to toe grip: Maintaining heel control with one arm, reach your other hand across your body to grip the opponent’s toes and ball of the foot. Your grip should encompass all the toes - use a cupping grip with your palm on the ball of the foot and fingers wrapping around the toes. Never grip individual toes as this can cause fractures. The blade of your forearm should now run along the bottom of their foot. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for grip transition) [Pressure: Light]
- Adjust your torso angle: Lean slightly back and angle your upper body so that the opponent’s heel is pinned securely against your shoulder or upper chest. This creates the fulcrum point for the submission. Your body angle should be approximately 45 degrees from vertical. The heel must stay completely immobile against this point - any movement here compromises the submission. (Timing: 1 second to adjust position) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Begin internal rotation: With your toe grip secure, start rotating the foot inward (toward the opponent’s centerline) very slowly and progressively. This internal rotation is what creates the primary stress on the ankle ligaments. The rotation should be smooth and continuous, not jerky or sudden. You should feel resistance building as the ankle reaches its natural range of motion. IN TRAINING, this is where you stop and wait for the tap. (Timing: 3-5 seconds of progressive rotation) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Add extension component: While maintaining the rotational pressure, begin to extend the ankle by pulling the toes back toward the opponent’s shin. This is done by pulling with your toe grip while the heel remains pinned. The combination of rotation and extension attacks multiple structures simultaneously. This should be added gradually, not explosively. Your elbows should stay tight to your body for maximum control. (Timing: 2-3 seconds of gradual extension) [Pressure: Firm]
- Final pressure adjustment: If the tap has not occurred, make a final small adjustment by slightly falling back (this increases extension) while maintaining the rotational torque. Your legs should be actively controlling the opponent’s leg and hip to prevent escapes. The pressure should be distributed across the entire ankle and foot complex. At this point, the submission should be complete. IN TRAINING, never reach this point - tap should occur during steps 4-5. (Timing: 1-2 seconds maximum) [Pressure: Maximum]
- Immediate release on tap: The instant you feel or hear the tap, release the rotational pressure completely and let the toe grip go. Maintain gentle heel control briefly to support the foot as it returns to neutral position, then release completely. Ask your partner if they are okay before continuing. This immediate release is critical to preventing injury. (Timing: Immediate - less than 1 second) [Pressure: Light]
Opponent Defenses
- Crossing the trapped foot over the knee of the free leg (creating a triangle configuration) (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Before they complete the cross, use your outside hand to grip their free leg’s knee and push it away, breaking the connection. Alternatively, transition to attacking the free leg instead.
- Rolling toward you to relieve rotational pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use your inside leg as a post against their hip or torso to prevent the roll. Alternatively, allow the roll and follow them into a modified Saddle position where you maintain the submission.
- Straightening the trapped leg explosively to create space and extract heel (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Your legs must be actively blocking this extension. Keep your outside leg heavy over their thigh and your inside leg controlling their hip. If you feel the leg straightening, immediately abandon the toe grip and re-establish heel control.
- Grabbing their own ankle or your hands to prevent rotation (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Maintain patience and work to clear their grips systematically. Use hip pressure and leg positioning to make them uncomfortable. Often they will release grips to address positional discomfort, giving you the opportunity to finish.
- Tucking toes away and hiding the foot (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: This must be addressed before attempting the submission. Use your free hand to pry the foot out from behind your leg. Alternatively, switch to a straight ankle lock or heel hook if the foot remains inaccessible.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the minimum time that should be taken when applying rotational pressure during training? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: A minimum of 3-5 seconds of progressive, controlled rotation. In training, this should be even slower - 5-7 seconds is recommended. The rotation must never be sudden or explosive. The goal in training is to allow your partner to recognize the submission and tap safely, not to finish as quickly as possible. Competition speed application is only appropriate in actual competition and even then must be controlled to avoid injury.
Q2: Why is it critical to grip the entire forefoot rather than individual toes? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Gripping individual toes creates dangerous point pressure that can easily fracture the small toe bones, which are fragile and not designed to handle rotational stress. By gripping the entire forefoot with a cupping grip (palm on ball of foot, fingers wrapped around all toes), you distribute the pressure across multiple structures and focus the submission on the ankle joint where it belongs. This makes the submission both safer and more effective, as the rotational force is transmitted to the ankle rather than being absorbed by broken toes.
Q3: What are the two primary mechanical components that make the Toe Hold effective? A: The Toe Hold requires both internal rotation and ankle extension working together. Internal rotation (turning the foot inward toward the centerline) stresses the lateral ankle ligaments and creates torque through the ankle joint. Ankle extension (pulling the toes back toward the shin) puts additional stress on the plantar fascia and anterior ankle structures. Neither component alone creates an effective submission - they must work in combination, with the heel serving as a fixed fulcrum point and the toes/forefoot being rotated and extended simultaneously.
Q4: What is the proper immediate response when your training partner taps to a Toe Hold? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately stop all rotational pressure and release the toe grip completely. Maintain gentle control of the heel for a brief moment to support the foot as it returns to neutral position, then release that as well. Do not release gradually or maintain any pressure after the tap. Check verbally with your partner to ensure they are okay before continuing to train. The release must be instantaneous - there is zero benefit to holding pressure after a tap and significant injury risk. This immediate release protocol is essential for safe training and maintaining trust with training partners.
Q5: From what positions is the Toe Hold most commonly applied, and what is the key positional requirement before attempting the submission? A: The Toe Hold is most commonly applied from leg entanglement positions including Ashi Garami (standard inside position), 50-50 Guard (symmetrical leg entanglement), Saddle/Honey Hole position (superior hip and leg control), and Outside Ashi Garami. The key positional requirement is secure heel control - the opponent’s heel must be firmly pinned against your torso (chest, shoulder, or ribs) before attempting to grip the toes. Without this heel control, the opponent can simply pull their foot away and escape. Additionally, proper leg positioning to control the opponent’s knee and hip is essential to prevent escapes through rolling or rotation.
Q6: What is the most dangerous injury that can result from a Toe Hold, and how can it be prevented in training? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The most dangerous injury is a Lisfranc joint injury, which is a dislocation or fracture-dislocation of the midfoot joints. This injury can require surgery and has a 3-6 month recovery time with potential for permanent damage and chronic pain. It can be prevented in training by: 1) Never applying explosive or sudden rotational force, 2) Always giving partner ample time to recognize and tap to the submission (5-7 seconds minimum), 3) Stopping immediately at any tap or distress signal, 4) Using a proper grip that distributes pressure across the forefoot rather than isolating individual joints, 5) Maintaining communication with training partners about pressure levels, and 6) Never training Toe Holds at competition speed or intensity.
Q7: How should you adjust your technique if your opponent attempts to defend by rolling toward you? A: If the opponent attempts to roll toward you to relieve the rotational pressure, you have two primary options. First, you can prevent the roll by using your inside leg as a strong post against their hip or torso - this blocks their ability to rotate toward you and maintains the submission position. Your inside leg should be active and pushing to keep them flat. Second, if they have already initiated the roll with good momentum, you can allow the roll and follow them into a modified Saddle position, maintaining your heel and toe grips throughout the transition. In the Saddle position, you have even better control and can re-establish the submission with superior positioning. The key is to stay connected through the transition and never release your grips during the roll.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Toe Hold represents a fascinating study in mechanical advantage and joint manipulation. What makes this submission particularly effective from a systematic perspective is the way it attacks multiple structures simultaneously - the ankle mortise joint, the subtalar joint, the midfoot articulations, and the plantar fascia all experience stress during proper application. The key to understanding the Toe Hold is recognizing that it’s fundamentally a rotational attack that uses the heel as a fixed fulcrum point while the forefoot traces an arc around that fulcrum. The most common error I observe is students attempting to apply force without first establishing proper mechanical alignment - the heel must be completely immobilized against your torso, creating a stable fulcrum, before any rotational force is applied to the forefoot. From a safety standpoint, the Toe Hold demands exceptional control because the ankle complex contains numerous small, fragile structures that can be permanently damaged by explosive or poorly controlled application. In training, I insist that students take a minimum of five seconds to apply rotational pressure, allowing ample time for the training partner to recognize the submission and tap safely. The Toe Hold should be taught as part of a complete leg entanglement system, never in isolation, because the positional controls that make it effective are the same controls that enable transitions to heel hooks, knee bars, and ankle locks.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the Toe Hold is one of my go-to finishes from leg entanglement positions because it’s incredibly difficult to defend once the grips are locked in. What I love about the Toe Hold is that it works even when guys have studied your game and know your heel hook entries - they defend the heel so hard that they completely forget about their toes, and that’s when you get them. From the 50-50 position especially, I’ve finished numerous black belts with the Toe Hold because everyone is so focused on inside heel hooks that they’re not thinking about the rotation attack on the ankle. The key to making it work at the highest levels is having absolute control of the position first - your legs have to be actively controlling their hip and knee, not just passively wrapped around their leg. When I attack the Toe Hold in competition, I’m looking for that moment when they’ve just defended a heel hook attempt and they feel safe - that’s when their foot is most vulnerable because they’ve relaxed slightly. The grip is everything - you need that heel pinned so tight to your chest that there’s zero movement possible, and your toe grip has to cover the entire forefoot to maximize control. Against elite guys, I’ll often use the threat of the Toe Hold to set up heel hooks or knee bars - they defend one attack and expose themselves to another. It’s all about creating submission chains where every defense opens up a new attack. One thing that’s critical in training versus competition: in the gym, I apply this super slow and give guys tons of time to tap. In competition, I still control it but the application is much faster. You have to be able to differentiate between training partners who help you get better and opponents who are trying to beat you.
- Eddie Bravo: The Toe Hold is a beautiful submission that shows up in some unexpected places if you’re paying attention and thinking creatively. In the 10th Planet system, we’ve incorporated the Toe Hold into sequences from positions people don’t typically associate with leg locks - you can catch it from the Truck position, from certain lockdown variations, and even during transitions where the leg is temporarily exposed. What makes the Toe Hold special from an innovation standpoint is that it doesn’t require the same level of control as a heel hook - you can hit it in scrambles and transition situations where you only have momentary control of the foot. I teach my students to think of the Toe Hold as an opportunistic finish that’s always available any time you can secure a heel and reach the toes, which is way more often than people realize. The grip mechanics are crucial though - you want that cupping grip on the entire forefoot, never individual toes, because isolating toes is asking for injuries and we’re not trying to break training partners’ feet in the gym. One variation I really like is the standing Toe Hold from certain positions - if a guy is on his back and shoots a foot at your hip or tries to push off you, you can trap that ankle against your ribs and catch the Toe Hold standing. It looks unorthodox but it works. Safety-wise, this is one submission where we really drill into students that they need to chill the fuck out when applying it - ankle injuries are no joke and they can end training careers. In our gym, we have a strict rule that Toe Holds must be applied super slowly in training, give your partner like seven seconds to feel it coming and tap. Save the fast applications for tournaments. The Toe Hold also creates interesting dilemma situations when you combine it with other attacks - threaten the heel hook to get them to defend one way, then hit the Toe Hold when they’re focused on protecting the knee. Or vice versa - fake the Toe Hold to expose the heel. It’s all about keeping opponents guessing and creating positions where any defense they choose opens up a different submission.