Danaher Leg Lock System

Danaher Leg Lock System is a advanced difficulty Submission Chain system. Integrates 4 components.

System ID: System Type: Submission Chain Difficulty Level: Advanced

What is Danaher Leg Lock System?

The Danaher Leg Lock System represents a paradigmatic shift in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, transforming leg attacks from opportunistic submissions into a comprehensive positional hierarchy. Developed by John Danaher and perfected by his students at the Renzo Gracie Academy, this system treats leg entanglements as positions rather than submissions, establishing control hierarchies, transition pathways, and finishing mechanics that mirror traditional upper body systems.

At its core, the system is built upon the ashi-garami family of positions—a spectrum of leg entanglements ranging from outside ashi-garami (least control) to inside sankaku (maximum control). Each position offers distinct control advantages, submission options, and transition pathways. The revolutionary aspect lies in treating these positions with the same systematic rigor as mount or back control, establishing clear objectives for control maintenance, position advancement, and systematic breaking before finishing.

The system’s effectiveness stems from its emphasis on mechanical hierarchy over opportunism. Rather than attempting submissions from weak positions, practitioners learn to recognize positional deficiencies, advance through the hierarchy systematically, and only commit to finishing attempts from positions of overwhelming control. This approach has proven devastatingly effective in competition, with Danaher’s students achieving unprecedented success through leg locks at the highest levels of no-gi grappling.

Core Principles

• Position Before Submission - Establish dominant leg entanglement before attempting finishes
• Control Hierarchy - Recognize and advance through ashi-garami positional spectrum
• Systematic Breaking - Use structured approach to compromise defensive structures
• Mechanical Advantage - Maximize leverage through proper body positioning and alignment
• Entry Systems - Establish leg entanglements through systematic guard passing and transitions
• Defensive Nullification - Remove opponent’s escape options through positional dominance
• Bite Point Optimization - Achieve ideal finishing position before applying force

Key Components

Ashi-Garami Positional Hierarchy (Establish clear positional objectives and advancement pathways in leg entanglements) The foundation of the system is the classification of leg entanglements into a spectrum from outside ashi-garami (50-50), through standard ashi-garami, to inside ashi-garami (4-11 position), saddle/honey hole position, and finally inside sankaku. Each position offers progressively greater control and finishing potential. Understanding this hierarchy allows practitioners to recognize when they have sufficient control to finish versus when they must advance position first.

Entry and Passing Integration (Create reliable pathways from common positions to leg entanglement control) Systematic entries to leg entanglements are established through guard passing sequences, X-guard transitions, and seated guard engagements. The system teaches specific pathways from common positions like single leg X-guard, de la riva guard, and headquarters position into various ashi-garami configurations. This integration ensures practitioners can reliably access leg entanglements rather than waiting for opportunistic moments.

Breaking Mechanics (Establish reliable methods for compromising defensive structures and achieving finishing positions) The systematic approach to compromising defensive leg positioning involves specific sequences for removing inside heel exposure defense, straightening the leg, clearing the knee line, and achieving the ideal bite point for submission. These mechanics apply across all heel hook, toe hold, and knee attack variations, providing a unified framework for finishing from any ashi-garami position. The breaking system emphasizes gradual, systematic pressure over explosive finishing attempts.

Transition Pathways (Enable dynamic position advancement and attack angle variation within leg entanglements) The system includes comprehensive transition sequences between different ashi-garami positions, allowing practitioners to advance the hierarchy when opponents defend or to switch attack angles when direct finishing is blocked. Key transitions include outside ashi to standard ashi, standard ashi to inside ashi, cross ashi entries, and the critical advancement to saddle position. Understanding these pathways prevents stagnation and enables systematic position improvement.

Implementation Sequence

1. Conceptual Foundation: Understand the positional hierarchy of ashi-garami variations and the fundamental principle of position-before-submission in leg entanglements Key points:

• Study the spectrum from outside ashi to inside sankaku
• Recognize control indicators for each position
• Understand mechanical advantages of each configuration
• Learn to assess position quality before attempting submissions

2. Entry Development: Develop reliable entries to standard ashi-garami from common guard positions and passing sequences Key points:

• Master single leg X to ashi-garami transition
• Develop seated guard pull to ashi-garami entry
• Learn leg weave pass counters into ashi positions
• Practice headquarters position entries to outside ashi

3. Control Establishment: Learn to establish and maintain control in standard ashi-garami position, focusing on inside heel exposure prevention and hip control Key points:

• Perfect near leg trap with figure-four or straight configuration
• Establish far leg control with cross-body positioning
• Maintain hip-to-hip connection to prevent escape
• Control opponent’s upper body to limit defensive frames

4. Breaking Sequences: Develop systematic breaking mechanics for straightening the leg, clearing the knee line, and achieving heel hook bite point Key points:

• Learn inside heel exposure clearance techniques
• Practice systematic leg extension under control
• Master knee line clearance for optimal finishing angle
• Develop sensitivity for recognizing ideal bite point achievement

5. Hierarchical Advancement: Master transitions between ashi-garami positions to advance control hierarchy when opponents defend effectively Key points:

• Learn outside ashi to standard ashi advancement
• Practice standard ashi to inside ashi transition
• Master entry to saddle/honey hole position
• Develop cross ashi-garami as alternative attack angle

6. Finishing Mechanics: Perfect submission finishes from dominant positions with emphasis on control maintenance during finish Key points:

• Master inside heel hook from saddle position
• Develop outside heel hook from standard ashi
• Learn toe hold variations from all ashi positions
• Practice straight ankle lock as position-maintenance tool

7. Defensive Integration: Understand defensive priorities and escape sequences to pressure-test the system and recognize vulnerabilities Key points:

• Learn inside heel exposure defense as primary priority
• Practice hip escape fundamentals from ashi positions
• Understand safe rolling directions for each configuration
• Develop sensitivity for recognizing submission danger levels

8. Systematic Competition Application: Integrate complete system into live training and competition with strategic decision-making frameworks Key points:

• Develop game plans centered on leg entanglement entries
• Practice position recognition and advancement under resistance
• Build submission attempt timing based on position quality
• Integrate with upper body attacks for complete offensive system

What Challenges Will You Face?

• Premature Finishing Attempts - Students attempt heel hooks from insufficient control positions, leading to escapes and position loss: Emphasize position quality assessment before finishing. Establish clear control benchmarks (inside heel cleared, leg straight, knee line cleared) that must be achieved before committing to finish. Drill position advancement until it becomes automatic to improve position rather than force submissions.
• Entry Difficulty - Practitioners struggle to reliably enter ashi-garami positions against aware opponents: Develop systematic entry sequences from common positions rather than isolated techniques. Focus on single leg X-guard as primary gateway position, practice seated guard pulls with immediate leg entanglement, and integrate ashi entries into existing guard passing sequences to create multiple pathways.
• Positional Stagnation - Getting stuck in outside ashi-garami or 50-50 without ability to advance hierarchy: Drill specific transition sequences between ashi-garami positions until movement becomes fluid. Focus on recognizing defensive reactions that create advancement opportunities. Practice saddle position entry from all ashi configurations as ultimate control position.
• Defense Ignorance - Lack of understanding defensive priorities leads to dangerous training situations and injury risk: Mandate comprehensive defensive instruction parallel to offensive system development. Ensure all practitioners understand inside heel exposure defense, safe rolling directions, and tap-early protocols. Establish training culture that prioritizes long-term safety over short-term submission success.
• Mechanical Confusion - Difficulty distinguishing between different heel hook, toe hold, and ankle lock mechanics from similar positions: Study each submission’s specific mechanical requirements and ideal finishing configurations. Practice isolated breaking mechanics before combining with position control. Understand that inside heel hooks require hip rotation, outside heel hooks need knee line clearance, and toe holds demand figure-four ankle control with distinct mechanical emphasis for each.

How to Measure Your Progress

Entry Success Rate: Measure ability to reliably establish ashi-garami positions from common starting points Proficiency indicators:

• Can enter standard ashi-garami from single leg X-guard 70%+ of attempts
• Successfully transitions from seated guard to leg entanglement against resistance
• Recognizes and capitalizes on ashi-garami opportunities during guard passing sequences
• Establishes leg entanglement control within 30 seconds of engagement in training

Positional Hierarchy Recognition: Ability to accurately assess position quality and make appropriate advancement decisions Proficiency indicators:

• Correctly identifies current ashi-garami position under pressure
• Recognizes when control is insufficient for finishing attempt
• Chooses appropriate transition to advance position hierarchy
• Understands control differences between outside/standard/inside ashi configurations

Breaking Mechanics Precision: Technical execution of systematic leg straightening and bite point achievement Proficiency indicators:

• Successfully clears inside heel exposure defense without losing position
• Achieves full leg extension while maintaining ashi-garami control
• Recognizes optimal bite point before applying finishing pressure
• Maintains control during breaking sequences without creating escape opportunities

Submission Finish Rate from Position: Success rate of submission attempts when proper position has been established Proficiency indicators:

• 70%+ finish rate from saddle/honey hole position in training
• 50%+ finish rate from standard inside ashi-garami
• Rarely loses position during finishing attempts
• Can achieve tap with controlled, progressive pressure rather than explosive force

Defensive Competency: Understanding and application of proper defensive priorities in leg entanglements Proficiency indicators:

• Maintains inside heel exposure defense automatically under pressure
• Recognizes dangerous positions and taps appropriately to avoid injury
• Successfully escapes from outside ashi and 50-50 positions regularly
• Understands safe rolling directions for each ashi-garami configuration

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

The Danaher Leg Lock System requires progressive, systematic drilling that builds from isolated mechanics to integrated sequences. Begin with positional drilling focusing on establishing and maintaining control in each ashi-garami position without submission attempts. Progress to transition drilling between positions, emphasizing smooth advancement through the hierarchy. Only after control and transition mechanics are solid should breaking sequences be introduced, initially with compliant partners and gradually increasing resistance. Finishing mechanics are practiced last, always emphasizing control maintenance over explosive submission attempts. Defensive drilling must be trained in parallel, ensuring all participants understand inside heel exposure defense and safe escape protocols before attempting advanced positions.

Progression Path

Foundation Phase (Months 1-2) (Focus: Conceptual understanding, basic entries, standard ashi-garami control establishment) - 8-10 weeks of focused study Transition Development (Months 3-4) (Focus: Movement between ashi-garami positions, hierarchy advancement, defensive fundamentals) - 8-10 weeks with positional sparring emphasis Breaking Mechanics (Months 5-6) (Focus: Systematic leg straightening, bite point achievement, submission setup without finishing) - 8-10 weeks of controlled breaking practice Finishing Integration (Months 7-9) (Focus: Complete submission sequences from position establishment through finish) - 12 weeks integrating all previous phases Competition Application (Months 10-12) (Focus: Strategic implementation, entry timing, position recognition under resistance) - 12 weeks of competition-level training Mastery and Refinement (12+ months) (Focus: System customization, advanced variations, teaching ability development) - Ongoing lifetime development

Common Mistakes

• Attempting heel hooks from outside ashi or 50-50 without advancing position first
• Neglecting defensive training and inside heel exposure protection fundamentals
• Using explosive force for submissions rather than systematic positional breaking
• Failing to establish hip-to-hip connection before attempting leg control
• Ignoring upper body control, allowing opponents to frame and create escape space
• Practicing only offensive system without understanding defensive priorities and injury prevention

Which Positions, Transitions, and Principles Connect to This System?

• Ashi Garami (Position) - Primary position family for entire system - all techniques built from ashi-garami configurations
• Inside Ashi-Garami (Position) - High-control position within system offering dominant heel hook access
• Honey Hole (Position) - Maximum control configuration - primary finishing position in system hierarchy
• Outside Ashi-Garami (Position) - Entry-level position in hierarchy - starting point for advancement sequences
• 50-50 Guard (Position) - Outside ashi variation requiring position advancement for finishing opportunities
• Single Leg X-Guard (Position) - Primary gateway position for entries to ashi-garami family
• Inside Sankaku (Position) - Maximum control position at top of ashi-garami hierarchy
• De La Riva Guard (Position) - Entry position for transitions to ashi-garami configurations
• Headquarters Position (Position) - Passing position with direct entries to outside ashi-garami
• Seated Guard (Position) - Guard position offering immediate leg entanglement entries
• Saddle (Position) - Elite control position offering highest percentage heel hook finishes
• Cross Ashi-Garami (Position) - Alternative attack angle for switching between ashi-garami configurations
• Ushiro Ashi-Garami (Position) - Back-facing ashi variation offering unique submission angles
• Straight Ankle Lock Control (Position) - Control maintenance position used throughout ashi-garami transitions
• Kneebar Control (Position) - Alternative lower body control accessible from ashi-garami positions
• Inside Heel Hook (Submission) - Primary finish from saddle/honey hole and inside ashi positions
• Outside Heel Hook (Submission) - Alternative finish from standard and outside ashi-garami positions
• Straight Ankle Lock (Submission) - Control maintenance tool and alternative finish from all ashi positions
• Toe Hold (Submission) - Secondary attack option from ashi-garami positions when heel hook is defended
• Kneebar (Submission) - Alternative lower body finish accessible from ashi-garami transitions
• Heel Hook (Submission) - Primary submission family for entire system with multiple variations
• Heel Hook Variations (Submission) - Comprehensive heel hook techniques adapted to different ashi-garami positions
• Toe Hold from 50-50 (Submission) - Alternative attack from outside ashi when heel hook path is blocked
• Kneebar from 50-50 (Submission) - Secondary lower body attack from outside ashi-garami configurations
• X-Guard to Ashi Transition (Transition) - Critical entry pathway from X-guard positions to leg entanglements
• Inside Ashi Entry (Transition) - Core technique for establishing inside ashi-garami position
• Saddle Entry from Top (Transition) - Advanced entry to maximum control position from passing situations
• Ashi Garami Escape (Transition) - Defensive sequences that inform offensive control maintenance strategies
• Outside Ashi Entry (Transition) - Entry technique for establishing outside ashi-garami from standing or passing
• Leg Entanglement (Principle) - Fundamental principle underlying all ashi-garami control concepts