Straight Footlock to Kneebar Chain is a advanced difficulty Submission Chain system. Integrates 5 components.
System ID: System Type: Submission Chain Difficulty Level: Advanced
What is Straight Footlock to Kneebar Chain?
The Straight Footlock to Kneebar Chain represents one of the most fundamental submission sequences in modern leg lock systems. This attacking framework capitalizes on the biomechanical connection between ankle and knee control, creating a seamless transition pathway that forces opponents into defensive dilemmas. When executed properly, the defender’s attempts to defend the footlock naturally expose the knee, while kneebar defense creates footlock opportunities.
This system is built on the principle that leg attacks should never be isolated techniques, but rather interconnected threats that compound pressure on the opponent. The chain begins with establishing positional control in ashi garami variations, securing the straight ankle lock as the primary attack, then transitioning to the kneebar when the opponent attempts specific defensive reactions. The beauty of this system lies in its simplicity—both submissions target the same leg, require similar positional prerequisites, and create natural transition opportunities through opponent movement.
Developed and popularized by modern leg lock specialists, this chain has become a cornerstone of contemporary no-gi grappling. It demonstrates the systematic approach to leg attacks where each submission feeds into the next, creating a closed loop of offensive threats. Mastery of this chain provides a reliable foundation for more complex leg lock systems while teaching the fundamental principles of submission chaining, reaction anticipation, and positional control maintenance.
Core Principles
- Position Before Submission - Establish and maintain ashi garami control throughout the chain
- Reaction-Based Transitions - Read opponent’s defensive movements to determine submission selection
- Heel Exposure Control - Manage heel positioning to maintain footlock threat while transitioning
- Hip Connection Maintenance - Keep hips connected to opponent’s leg to prevent escape
- Breaking Mechanics Over Force - Use proper breaking mechanics rather than muscling submissions
- Continuous Threat Cycling - Never abandon one submission completely when transitioning to another
- Grip Efficiency - Minimize grip changes during transitions to maintain control and speed
- Angle Adjustment Precision - Make small positional adjustments rather than large movements
Key Components
Ashi Garami Positional Control (Provides the stable platform from which all submissions in the chain are launched and maintained) The foundation of the entire system is establishing and maintaining proper ashi garami control. This includes inside position on the opponent’s leg, hip connection, and proper foot placement behind the opponent’s knee. The position must be stable enough to allow submission attempts while remaining mobile enough to transition between attacks. Key elements include leg entanglement depth, hip angle relative to opponent, and inside leg positioning.
Straight Ankle Lock Primary Attack (Creates the initial offensive threat and forces opponent into defensive patterns that expose kneebar opportunities) The straight footlock serves as the entry point and primary threat in this chain. Executed with a figure-four grip around the opponent’s foot, the attack creates pressure on the Achilles tendon and ankle joint through hip extension and arching. The key is maintaining consistent pressure while remaining sensitive to opponent defensive reactions. Proper execution requires wrist alignment, elbow positioning, and coordinated hip movement to generate breaking pressure.
Transition Mechanics (Enables seamless movement between submissions while maintaining positional control and offensive pressure) The transition from footlock to kneebar involves a coordinated sequence of grip changes, hip adjustments, and leg repositioning. As the opponent attempts to clear their heel or sit up to defend the footlock, the attacker releases the figure-four grip, slides their arm under the opponent’s knee, and adjusts hip position to create kneebar angle. This must be done while maintaining leg entanglement and hip pressure to prevent escape during the transition window.
Kneebar Finishing Position (Provides the complementary attack that capitalizes on footlock defensive reactions and completes the submission chain) The kneebar represents the secondary attack in the chain, targeting the knee joint through hyperextension. The finish requires proper grip placement across the opponent’s knee, hip positioning to create leverage, and coordinated full-body extension to generate breaking pressure. Key technical elements include knee isolation, hip placement relative to opponent’s leg, and maintaining control of the opponent’s heel to prevent rotation escapes.
Reverse Transition Back to Footlock (Closes the loop of the submission chain, ensuring continuous offensive pressure regardless of defensive response) When opponents defend the kneebar by bending their knee or pulling it free, the system allows for transitioning back to the straight ankle lock. This involves re-establishing the figure-four grip while maintaining ashi garami control, creating a continuous loop of offensive threats. The reverse transition is often faster than the initial transition because the opponent is already extended from kneebar defense.
Implementation Sequence
- Position Establishment: Establish ashi garami control with inside position on opponent’s leg. Secure hip connection, entangle opponent’s leg with your legs, and establish proper angle. Your inside leg should be behind opponent’s knee, outside leg should control their hip, and your hips should be connected to their leg. Key points:
- Achieve inside positioning before attempting submissions
- Connect hips to opponent’s leg to prevent escape
- Control opponent’s hip with outside leg
- Position inside leg behind opponent’s knee for depth
- Establish angle that allows both footlock and kneebar attacks
- Footlock Attack Initiation: Secure the straight ankle lock by establishing figure-four grip around opponent’s foot. Position your forearm against their Achilles tendon, lock hands in front of their ankle, and begin applying pressure through hip extension and back arch. Maintain this attack with progressive pressure while observing opponent’s defensive reactions. Key points:
- Figure-four grip with wrist bone against Achilles
- Elbows tight to body for maximum leverage
- Extend hips and arch back to create pressure
- Keep opponent’s toes pointed toward you
- Monitor opponent’s defensive movements for transition cues
- Reading Defensive Reactions: As you maintain footlock pressure, identify opponent’s defensive strategy. Common defenses include heel clearing (pulling heel free), sitting up to release pressure, or rotating away. Each defensive reaction creates specific opportunities for transitioning to kneebar. The key is maintaining enough footlock pressure to force a defensive commitment while remaining ready to transition. Key points:
- Heel clearing defense indicates kneebar opportunity
- Sitting up defense creates space for kneebar entry
- Rotation defense may require position adjustment first
- Don’t release footlock completely until kneebar is secured
- Use opponent’s movement energy to facilitate transition
- Transition to Kneebar: When opponent commits to footlock defense (especially heel clearing or sitting up), transition to kneebar. Release figure-four grip, slide attacking arm under opponent’s knee, and adjust hip position to create perpendicular angle to their leg. Simultaneously maintain leg entanglement and hip pressure to prevent escape during transition. Secure grip across opponent’s knee and prepare for kneebar finish. Key points:
- Time release of footlock grip with opponent’s defensive commitment
- Slide arm under knee while maintaining hip connection
- Adjust hips to perpendicular angle for kneebar leverage
- Secure control of opponent’s heel to prevent rotation
- Complete grip establishment before applying breaking pressure
- Kneebar Finish or Re-transition: Apply kneebar pressure through hip elevation and full-body extension while controlling opponent’s heel. If opponent defends by bending knee or pulling leg free, immediately re-establish figure-four grip and return to footlock attack. This creates a continuous loop where defensive reactions to one submission expose opportunities for the other. Key points:
- Isolate knee joint before applying maximum pressure
- Control heel to prevent rotation escapes
- Extend entire body to generate breaking force
- If opponent bends knee, transition back to footlock immediately
- Maintain leg entanglement throughout entire sequence
- System Cycling and Refinement: Continue cycling between footlock and kneebar based on opponent’s defensive reactions. With each cycle, refine your positioning, timing, and transition mechanics. Advanced practitioners can add variations such as calf slicers, toe holds, or position transitions to expand the system. The goal is creating a seamless, inescapable loop of submission threats. Key points:
- Each cycle should improve positional control
- Reduce transition time with practice and familiarity
- Add deceptive elements to hide transition intentions
- Expand system with additional leg attack variations
- Maintain offensive initiative throughout entire sequence
How to Measure Your Progress
Position Retention Rate: Measures ability to maintain ashi garami control throughout the submission chain without losing position or allowing escapes Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Maintains position for one full submission attempt before losing control
- Intermediate: Completes 2-3 transition cycles while maintaining positional control
- Advanced: Can cycle between submissions indefinitely without position loss
- Expert: Maintains position even against skilled opponents attempting systematic escapes
Transition Speed and Efficiency: Evaluates the speed and smoothness of transitions between footlock and kneebar, including grip changes and hip adjustments Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Completes transitions in 3-4 seconds with visible mechanical steps
- Intermediate: Transitions in 1-2 seconds with coordinated movement
- Advanced: Sub-second transitions that feel seamless and automatic
- Expert: Transitions are imperceptible to opponent until new submission is secured
Defensive Reaction Recognition: Measures ability to identify opponent’s defensive patterns and select appropriate submission based on their reactions Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: Can identify obvious defensive movements after they are fully committed
- Intermediate: Recognizes common defensive patterns early in their development
- Advanced: Anticipates defensive reactions before opponent fully commits
- Expert: Creates defensive dilemmas that force predictable reactions for exploitation
Submission Finish Rate: Tracks percentage of submission attempts that result in tap or positional advancement when finishing opportunity arises Proficiency indicators:
- Beginner: 20-30% finish rate with clear opportunities
- Intermediate: 40-50% finish rate including defended attempts
- Advanced: 60-70% finish rate against resistant opponents
- Expert: 75%+ finish rate with ability to force tap from marginal positions
Expert Insights
- John Danaher: The straight footlock to kneebar chain represents the most fundamental submission sequence in leg lock systems because it teaches the essential principle that submissions should never exist in isolation. Every submission attempt should create defensive reactions that expose additional submission opportunities, forming a closed loop of offensive threats. The footlock forces the opponent to extend their leg and clear their heel, which simultaneously exposes the knee to attack. When they defend the kneebar by bending their leg, they return to footlock vulnerability. This creates a perpetual dilemma where defense of one submission enables the other. The key to mastery is understanding that the goal is not necessarily to finish either submission immediately, but rather to create a cycle of threats that progressively breaks down the opponent’s defensive structure. Position maintenance takes absolute priority over submission hunting—if you maintain ashi garami control while cycling through this chain, the submission finish becomes inevitable as the opponent’s defensive options narrow. This systematic approach to leg attacks transforms submissions from isolated techniques into interconnected components of a coherent offensive system.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the footlock to kneebar chain is my go-to leg attack sequence because it’s high-percentage, works against elite opponents, and creates clear path to victory. The beauty of this chain is its simplicity—you’re attacking the same leg with biomechanically similar submissions, so there’s minimal position adjustment required during transitions. I’ve found that most opponents defend the footlock by trying to clear their heel or sit up to release pressure, and both reactions walk directly into the kneebar. The key in competition is being aggressive with your initial footlock attack to force a committed defensive reaction, then transitioning decisively to the kneebar before they can reset their defense. Against elite grapplers, I’ll often cycle through the chain 2-3 times, progressively tightening my control and improving my angles with each cycle until the finish becomes unavoidable. The chain also has the psychological advantage of creating submission awareness fatigue—defending one submission immediately forces them into defending another, which breaks down their mental defensive composure over time. I’ve finished multiple ADCC matches using this exact sequence, and it remains one of my most reliable paths to victory in no-gi competition.
- Eddie Bravo: The footlock to kneebar chain is a perfect example of old-school technique meeting modern systematic approach. In the 10th Planet system, we’ve integrated this chain into our overall game by connecting it to our guard systems, especially from positions like Honey Hole and Lockdown variations where leg entanglements naturally occur. What I love about this chain is how it fits the 10th Planet philosophy of creating multiple offensive threats from every position. We teach it not just as a finishing sequence, but as a control system that keeps opponents trapped and defending while you hunt for opportunities. The innovation we’ve added is integrating it with our twisting and calf slicer attacks, creating a more complex web of submissions where the footlock and kneebar are just two options among many. When you combine this chain with rubber guard principles of breaking opponent’s posture and creating angles, you get a devastating leg attack system that works from both top and bottom positions. The key is staying creative and unpredictable—use the basic footlock-kneebar structure as your foundation, but don’t be afraid to add your own variations and transitions based on what your opponent gives you. Keep them guessing and defending multiple threats simultaneously.