Jason Rau Ankle Lock System

Last updated Sep 08, 2026

Submission Chain Advanced difficulty

What is Jason Rau Ankle Lock System?

The Jason Rau Ankle Lock System is a BJJGraph study framework for connecting ankle-lock control with the positional decisions created by a defender’s changing posture.

Dynamic Ankle Locks provides a specific course companion for studying grips and leg position alongside seated, kneeling and standing reactions. Its syllabus extends beyond straight ankle locks to other submissions and back-take options. That distinction matters when choosing a section for a particular training session.

The plan below is BJJGraph’s original study sequence. It begins with recognising whether the ankle and leg remain connected to the attacker as the defender changes posture. A lost connection can make a positional transition more sensible than continuing the original submission. Select permitted techniques with a coach, and keep advanced Aoki-lock or heel-hook branches separate from a straight-ankle-only practice objective.

Study this system with BJJ Fanatics

Explore a relevant instructional alongside this guide. Check the syllabus and sample on BJJ Fanatics to decide whether it suits your training.

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Dynamic Ankle Locks

with Jason Rau

Who it suits: Students with coached leg-entanglement experience; the syllabus includes Aoki locks and heel hooks alongside straight-ankle material.

Connects ankle-lock grips and leg positions with posture-dependent reactions and secondary positional options.

View course & syllabus on BJJ Fanatics

Core Principles

  • Assess the leg connection as well as the hand grip.
  • Name whether the defender is seated, kneeling or standing before choosing a response.
  • Treat a posture change as a new control problem rather than a reason to squeeze harder.
  • Distinguish straight ankle locks from other submissions in the course.
  • Keep back-take options available when the original leg connection is no longer useful.
  • Define allowed attacks before an entanglement round begins.

Key Components

Grip and leg-position pairing (Identify whether the whole position supports the attempted attack.) Compare the selected ankle grip with the leg arrangement supporting it rather than evaluating either in isolation.

Posture classification (Choose the relevant lesson for the actual exchange.) Observe the different balance and connection problems presented by a seated, kneeling or standing defender.

Connection-loss response (Avoid chasing the original finish after its positional basis is gone.) Notice when the attacker can no longer maintain useful leg contact despite retaining the foot with the hands.

Secondary-route selection (Make the next objective explicit instead of switching locks blindly.) Compare guard recovery or a coached back-take route with a permitted secondary submission.

Implementation Sequence

  1. Choose one straight-ankle position: Begin in a familiar leg entanglement and identify the grip and leg contact used in the selected lesson.

  2. Test seated posture: Let the partner make one small seated adjustment. Stop when either the grip or supporting leg connection ceases to control the exchange.

  3. Compare a kneeling reaction: Use the corresponding course section to review what changes when the partner comes to their knees. Keep the entry task free of finishing pressure.

  4. Name the loss of connection: Rehearse a deliberate release or positional fallback when the legs can no longer support the original attack.

  5. Add one secondary route: Select a coach-approved back-take or other permitted branch. Compare its required control with the option of recovering guard.

Where to begin in the instructional

Review the initial grip and leg-position lessons, then compare seated and kneeling reactions before studying secondary routes.

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What Challenges Will You Face?

  • The hands retain the foot while the legs lose contact.: Stop and diagnose the leg-position problem instead of increasing finishing effort.
  • The same answer is used against every defender posture.: Separate seated and kneeling rounds and identify the different control requirements.
  • A straight-ankle drill drifts into another leg lock.: Name permitted attacks in advance and reset before an unagreed branch.
  • A back take is assumed whenever the ankle lock fails.: Check that the new route has its own connection and choose guard recovery when it does not.

How to Measure Your Progress

Connection assessment: Observe whether the grip and leg position work together. Proficiency indicators:

  • Identifies supporting contact
  • Recognises a hand-only hold
  • Can release deliberately

Posture recognition: Classify the defender’s posture before selecting a response. Proficiency indicators:

  • Distinguishes seated from kneeling
  • Recognises a standing change
  • Chooses a relevant study section

Branch boundaries: Check that the drill remains within its agreed submission scope. Proficiency indicators:

  • Names allowed locks
  • Recognises a different branch
  • Resets before an unagreed attack

Fallback quality: Review the next objective after losing ankle-lock control. Proficiency indicators:

  • Can recover guard
  • Can describe a back-take requirement
  • Declines an unsupported transition

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

BJJGraph suggests two entry-and-control rounds from the same ankle-lock position: one with the partner seated and one with a slow kneeling reaction. Keep finishing pressure out of the comparison. Record whether the first loss is the hand grip or supporting leg contact, then use that observation to select a course lesson and a coached fallback.

Progression Path

Pairing (Focus: Recognise the relationship between the ankle grip and supporting leg position.) Posture (Focus: Compare seated and kneeling defensive reactions.) Disconnection (Focus: Practise deliberate release and guard recovery.) Branching (Focus: Add one permitted secondary route with clear control requirements.)

Common Mistakes

  • Holding the foot after the rest of the entanglement has disappeared.
  • Treating all ankle-related submissions as interchangeable.
  • Forcing a back take without establishing its entry connection.

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

  • Straight Ankle Lock (Submission) - The primary submission to distinguish from secondary branches.
  • Straight Ankle Lock Control (Position) - The initial control reference.
  • Ashi Garami (Position) - A leg-entanglement study context.
  • Seated Guard (Position) - A posture context for comparison.
  • Butterfly Guard (Position) - A related lower-body connection context.
  • Matrix (Position) - A reference for a secondary positional route.
  • Back Control (Position) - A possible destination with separate entry requirements.
  • Aoki Lock (Submission) - A different submission to identify when selecting permitted material.
  • Leg Entanglement (Principle) - Background for evaluating leg contact.
  • Connection Principles (Principle) - Explains why retaining a hand grip alone may be insufficient.

Take one idea into your next session

BJJGraph suggestion: identify whether hand control or leg contact disappears first as the partner changes posture.

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Check the sample and current price on BJJ Fanatics: Dynamic Ankle Locks →

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