What is Aaron Benzrihem Ankle Pick System?
The Aaron Benzrihem Ankle Pick System links gi grips and off-balancing to same-side or cross-body ankle picks from standing, seated guard, and a three-point stance.
An ankle can be within reach without being a useful takedown target. Build the upper-body connection first, observe which foot the opponent makes available, and choose a finishing direction that matches the grip. Comparing standing and seated starts can help you see when the same idea needs a different entry.
Basics To Advanced: Ankle Picks For Jiu Jitsu by Aaron Benzrihem is the matched instructional. Benzrihem distinguishes standing, seated, and three-point starts, with same-side and cross-body finishes and setups from feints and grip changes. The drills, sequence, and assessment criteria below are an original BJJGraph study plan; use them to organize practice alongside the course and feedback from a coach.
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Basics To Advanced: Ankle Picks For Jiu Jitsu
with Aaron Benzrihem
Who it suits: Gi players connecting a standing takedown to their seated guard game. The grip-focused syllabus is especially relevant if you already maintain collar or sleeve contact.
Benzrihem distinguishes standing, seated, and three-point starts, with same-side and cross-body finishes and setups from feints and grip changes.
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Core Principles
- Choose the target ankle in relation to the upper-body grip.
- Prompt a step before reaching down without support.
- Keep standing and seated starting conditions distinct.
- Maintain balance as the level changes.
- Continue through the landing rather than stopping at ankle contact.
Key Components
Grip and target relationship (Connect the hand position to a specific attack.) Choose one upper-body grip and identify whether the same-side or opposite ankle is the intended target before lowering your level.
Standing setup (Create an observable entry cue.) Use one reviewed feint or snap to prompt a step, then attempt the ankle contact only when that step appears.
Seated connection (Test what changes when starting below the opponent.) From seated guard, preserve the selected upper-body grip while rehearsing the move toward the ankle at a cooperative pace.
Finishing direction (Separate touching the ankle from completing the takedown.) Begin with ankle contact established and practice the agreed finish while the defender gives a single balance reaction.
Implementation Sequence
- Grip and target relationship: BJJGraph study task: Choose one upper-body grip and identify whether the same-side or opposite ankle is the intended target before lowering your level. Key points:
- Connect the hand position to a specific attack.
- Standing setup: BJJGraph study task: Use one reviewed feint or snap to prompt a step, then attempt the ankle contact only when that step appears. Key points:
- Create an observable entry cue.
- Seated connection: BJJGraph study task: From seated guard, preserve the selected upper-body grip while rehearsing the move toward the ankle at a cooperative pace. Key points:
- Test what changes when starting below the opponent.
- Finishing direction: BJJGraph study task: Begin with ankle contact established and practice the agreed finish while the defender gives a single balance reaction. Key points:
- Separate touching the ankle from completing the takedown.
- Connect and review: Link the first two practiced tasks in a constrained round, then add the next stage only when both partners can identify the cue and stopping condition. Record the earliest control failure and return to that stage for the next set.
Where to begin in the instructional
Begin with the starting-position comparison and finishing mechanics, then one standing setup and one seated entry before studying three-point variations.
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How to Measure Your Progress
Grip and target relationship: Connect the hand position to a specific attack. Proficiency indicators:
- Can describe the starting condition for grip and target relationship.
- Recognizes the agreed defensive response without prompting.
- Can identify where the task broke down and select a relevant reset.
Standing setup: Create an observable entry cue. Proficiency indicators:
- Can describe the starting condition for standing setup.
- Recognizes the agreed defensive response without prompting.
- Can identify where the task broke down and select a relevant reset.
Seated connection: Test what changes when starting below the opponent. Proficiency indicators:
- Can describe the starting condition for seated connection.
- Recognizes the agreed defensive response without prompting.
- Can identify where the task broke down and select a relevant reset.
Finishing direction: Separate touching the ankle from completing the takedown. Proficiency indicators:
- Can describe the starting condition for finishing direction.
- Recognizes the agreed defensive response without prompting.
- Can identify where the task broke down and select a relevant reset.
Take one idea into your next session
BJJGraph practice suggestion: Choose one upper-body grip and identify whether the same-side or opposite ankle is the intended target before lowering your level. Then connect it to standing setup. Compare the first lost control point after each round.
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Check the sample and current price on BJJ Fanatics: Basics To Advanced: Ankle Picks For Jiu Jitsu →