Saddle Entry from Top

The Saddle Entry from Top is a fundamental leg entanglement technique that allows the top player to transition from various passing positions into the Saddle (also known as Honey Hole or Inside Sankaku). This entry is critical for modern leg lock systems and represents one of the most direct paths to dominant leg attack positions. The technique exploits moments when the bottom player’s legs are extended or when they attempt defensive movements that expose their leg positioning.

This entry serves as a cornerstone of modern leg lock methodology and has revolutionized competitive no-gi grappling. The saddle position provides maximum control over the opponent’s hip and leg while creating immediate submission threats through inside heel hooks, toe holds, and kneebars. Understanding proper entry mechanics is essential for any practitioner looking to develop a comprehensive leg lock game.

The technique requires precise timing, spatial awareness, and the ability to recognize leg entanglement opportunities during passing sequences. Success depends on controlling the opponent’s near leg while stepping over to secure the saddle configuration. When executed correctly, this entry creates a dominant position with minimal escape options for the opponent.

Starting Position: Headquarters Position Ending Position: Saddle Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%

Key Principles

• Control the opponent’s near leg before attempting entry
• Step over with correct leg to create proper entanglement angle
• Maintain connection throughout the transition to prevent scrambles
• Use opponent’s defensive reactions to facilitate entry
• Secure hip control immediately upon entering saddle configuration
• Keep opponent’s leg trapped between your legs throughout entry
• Maintain base and balance during the rotation into saddle

Prerequisites

• Top position with at least one leg accessible (passing position, headquarters, or open guard top)
• Opponent’s near leg extended or exposed
• Control of opponent’s near leg with hands (ankle, knee, or pants grip)
• Space to step over opponent’s leg without being swept
• Understanding of saddle position mechanics and finishing positions
• Awareness of opponent’s far leg position to prevent counters

Execution Steps

1. Secure near leg control: From top position (headquarters, knee slice, or passing position), establish control of the opponent’s near leg using both hands. Grip the ankle with your near hand and control the knee or thigh with your far hand. This prevents the opponent from retracting their leg and creates the foundation for entry. (Timing: Establish control when opponent extends leg defensively or during guard recovery)
2. Create entry angle: Step your outside leg (the leg furthest from opponent’s hips) toward the opponent’s hip line while maintaining leg control. Position your foot near their hip or on the mat beside their hip. This creates the proper angle for stepping over and prevents the opponent from rotating away. (Timing: Execute immediately after securing leg control)
3. Step over controlled leg: Bring your inside leg (nearest to opponent’s legs) over the opponent’s controlled leg. Your inside knee should clear their leg and land on the opposite side. Maintain constant pressure on their leg throughout this movement to prevent escape. Keep your weight distributed to avoid being swept. (Timing: Smooth, controlled movement coordinated with hip positioning)
4. Thread inside leg: Continue threading your inside leg under the opponent’s controlled leg, bringing your inside thigh underneath their thigh. Your legs should now form a triangle configuration around their leg with your inside thigh positioned under their leg and your outside leg positioned over their leg. (Timing: Immediately following step-over before opponent can adjust)
5. Secure saddle configuration: Lock your feet together (inside foot over outside foot) to complete the saddle entanglement. Ensure the opponent’s knee is trapped between your legs with their leg pulled across your body. Your inside thigh should be positioned high on their inner thigh, controlling their hip rotation. Adjust your position to face the opponent’s leg rather than their body. (Timing: Lock configuration while pulling opponent’s leg tightly into saddle)
6. Establish positional control: Fall to your outside hip, bringing the opponent’s leg with you. Control their far leg with your outside arm to prevent them from squaring up or clearing their knee line. Establish control of their heel/foot with your inside arm. Ensure your hips are connected to theirs and your legs maintain constant pressure on their trapped leg. (Timing: Smooth transition to bottom position while maintaining all controls)
7. Adjust to submission position: Make final adjustments to optimize your saddle configuration: ensure their toes point away from you (externally rotated), verify your legs are creating maximum pressure on their knee joint, and position their heel close to your chest for finishing control. From here, you can attack inside heel hooks, toe holds, or transitions to other ashi garami variations. (Timing: Final adjustment before attacking submissions)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent retracts near leg immediately upon contact (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Follow their leg retraction and switch to alternative passing position or pursue different leg entanglement entries such as Outside Ashi or 50-50. Can also use their retraction to advance to better passing position.
• Opponent brings far leg over to clear knee line and prevent entanglement (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Capture the incoming far leg with your outside arm and transition to X-Guard entry or Single Leg X position. Alternatively, use the moment they lift their far leg to advance into mount or side control if they overcommit to the defense.
• Opponent sits up aggressively during step-over to attack upper body (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain connection to their controlled leg and use their forward momentum to facilitate the entry. Can also abandon saddle entry temporarily to address upper body control, then return to leg entanglement from improved position.
• Opponent straightens controlled leg explosively to prevent step-over (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use the leg extension to transition to straight ankle lock or outside ashi garami position. Their attempt to straighten actually exposes their leg to different attack angles.
• Opponent inverts or rolls through to escape entanglement (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Follow their rotation while maintaining leg control, often ending in advantageous back attack position or top saddle. Their inversion can be used against them if you maintain connection throughout.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Stepping over with the wrong leg (inside leg first instead of positioning outside leg)
  • Consequence: Creates poor angle for saddle entry and leaves you vulnerable to sweeps or loss of position. The entanglement cannot be completed correctly.
  • Correction: Always step your outside leg toward opponent’s hip first to create proper angle, then thread inside leg over and under their controlled leg. Practice the footwork pattern in isolation.
• Mistake: Releasing leg control during the step-over transition
  • Consequence: Opponent immediately retracts their leg and escapes the entry, often leaving you in vulnerable scramble position or losing top position entirely.
  • Correction: Maintain constant hand control on opponent’s leg throughout entire entry sequence. Your grips should only release once your legs have secured the saddle configuration.
• Mistake: Failing to control opponent’s far leg after securing saddle
  • Consequence: Opponent squares their hips and clears their knee line, leading to easy escape from saddle or transition to better defensive position.
  • Correction: Immediately secure opponent’s far leg with outside arm upon completing saddle entry. Pin it to your chest or control the knee to prevent hip squaring.
• Mistake: Entering saddle while too high on opponent’s leg (near ankle rather than thigh)
  • Consequence: Creates weak control position with easy foot extraction for opponent. Saddle configuration lacks mechanical advantage and submissions are difficult to finish.
  • Correction: Ensure your inside thigh is positioned high on opponent’s inner thigh before locking feet. The saddle should trap their leg from hip to knee, not just the lower leg.
• Mistake: Rushing the entry without establishing proper angle first
  • Consequence: Poor saddle configuration that leaves gaps for escape, allows opponent to maintain offensive capabilities, or results in being swept during entry attempt.
  • Correction: Take time to position properly before committing to step-over. Quality of position matters more than speed of entry. Establish outside leg position first.
• Mistake: Failing to rotate body to face opponent’s leg after entry
  • Consequence: Maintains chest-to-chest orientation which gives opponent upper body control and paths to escape. Cannot effectively attack submissions without proper orientation.
  • Correction: Once saddle is secured, immediately rotate your upper body to face opponent’s trapped leg. Your chest should face their knee, not their face.
• Mistake: Locking feet before fully threading inside leg under opponent’s leg
  • Consequence: Creates shallow saddle position that is easier to escape and provides less control. Submissions from this configuration are much less effective.
  • Correction: Ensure inside thigh is completely under opponent’s leg before locking feet. The triangle of your legs should be tight and high on their leg.

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Isolated Movement Pattern (Weeks 1-2) - Learning the footwork and leg threading mechanics without resistance Practice the step-over and leg threading motion repeatedly with compliant partner who maintains static position. Focus on smooth execution and correct leg positioning. Drill from various top positions (headquarters, knee slice, float passing). Emphasize proper angle creation before committing to entry. (Resistance: None)

Phase 2: Controlled Entry Drilling (Weeks 3-4) - Adding basic defensive reactions and maintaining control throughout entry Partner provides light resistance by attempting to retract leg or turn away. Practice maintaining leg control while executing entry. Work on recognizing optimal timing windows during passing attempts. Begin connecting entry to basic inside heel hook finishing mechanics. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 3: Situational Sparring (Weeks 5-8) - Entering saddle from live passing scenarios with medium resistance Top player attempts to pass guard with saddle entry as primary objective when opportunities arise. Bottom player plays normal guard retention but allows entries to develop. Focus on transitioning smoothly from passing positions to saddle. Work counter responses to common defenses. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 4: Competition Timing (Weeks 9-12) - Recognizing and capitalizing on entry opportunities during full resistance Live rolling with focus on saddle entries from top position. Work on chaining entries with passing attempts so opponent cannot predict your intentions. Practice entries against opponents familiar with the defense. Develop ability to recognize fleeting opportunities during scrambles. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 5: System Integration (Months 4-6) - Connecting saddle entry to complete leg lock system and submission chains Integrate saddle entry with multiple submission attacks, transitions to other ashi garami positions, and entry/re-entry sequences. Practice against high-level leg lock defenders. Develop entries from increasingly complex passing positions and scrambles. Work on maintaining saddle against escape attempts. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6: Ongoing Refinement - Continuous improvement through competition testing and technical refinement Test entry against various body types and defensive styles. Analyze competition footage to identify new entry opportunities. Refine mechanics for efficiency and speed. Develop multiple entry paths to same position. Study high-level competitors’ variations and incorporate effective elements. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Headquarters Saddle Entry: Entry executed from headquarters passing position where you already have opponent’s near leg controlled between your legs. This variation emphasizes the step-over from an established passing position and is commonly used when opponent attempts to recover full guard. (When to use: When passing opponent’s guard and they extend their leg to create frames or attempt guard recovery)

Knee Slice to Saddle Transition: Entry from knee slice passing position where you abandon the pass to capture opponent’s bottom leg in saddle configuration. Uses the pressure and angle from knee slice to facilitate quick saddle entry when opponent defends the pass by turning away. (When to use: When opponent turns away during knee slice pass attempt, exposing their bottom leg)

Float Pass Saddle Conversion: Entry executed from floating passing position by controlling opponent’s near leg and threading your inside leg under while maintaining float pressure. This variation keeps opponent flat on their back during entry. (When to use: When opponent extends legs defensively during float pass attempts or tries to create distance)

Standing to Saddle Drop: Entry from standing position where you control opponent’s leg while standing, then drop into saddle configuration by stepping over and sitting through. More dynamic entry that can be executed from standing guard passing. (When to use: When opponent is seated or playing guard from bottom and extends leg for distance management)

X-Guard to Saddle Transition: When opponent establishes X-Guard from bottom, use your top position to step over their chopping leg and transition to saddle by threading under their extended leg. Converts their guard attempt into your leg entanglement. (When to use: When opponent attempts X-Guard entry but doesn’t complete the sweep immediately)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: Which leg should step over first when entering saddle from top position, and why is this sequencing critical? A: Your outside leg (furthest from opponent’s hips) should step toward their hip first to create the proper entry angle. This positioning prevents opponent from rotating away and creates the geometric foundation for threading your inside leg over and under their controlled leg. Stepping with the wrong leg first creates poor angles and leaves you vulnerable to sweeps or makes the entanglement impossible to complete correctly.

Q2: What is the most critical control to maintain throughout the saddle entry transition, and what happens if you lose it? A: Maintaining constant hand control on the opponent’s near leg (ankle and knee/thigh) throughout the entire entry sequence is most critical. If you release this control during the step-over or threading motion, the opponent will immediately retract their leg, escaping the entry entirely. This often leaves you in a vulnerable scramble position or causes complete loss of top position. The leg control should only be replaced by your leg entanglement, never released into empty space.

Q3: How should you position your inside thigh relative to the opponent’s leg in the final saddle configuration, and why does this positioning matter for submission effectiveness? A: Your inside thigh should be positioned high on the opponent’s inner thigh, as close to their hip as possible, with your legs forming a tight triangle around their leg from hip to knee. This high positioning creates maximum control over their hip rotation and prevents them from squaring their hips or clearing their knee line. When positioned too low (near their ankle), the saddle lacks mechanical advantage, allows easier foot extraction, and makes submissions extremely difficult to finish. The higher the position on their leg, the more control you have and the more effective your submissions become.

Q4: What should you do immediately after securing the saddle configuration to prevent the most common escape? A: Immediately control the opponent’s far leg with your outside arm by pinning it to your chest or controlling their knee. This prevents them from squaring their hips and clearing their knee line, which is the most high-percentage escape from saddle position. Without this control, even a well-executed entry can be escaped quickly by a knowledgeable opponent.

Q5: If the opponent retracts their near leg immediately upon contact during your entry attempt, what are two effective responses instead of forcing the original entry? A: First option: Follow their leg retraction and transition to an alternative passing position or pursue different leg entanglement entries such as Outside Ashi or 50-50, using their defensive movement against them. Second option: Use their leg retraction to advance to a better passing position entirely, such as moving to side control or mount while they’re focused on leg defense. The key principle is adaptability—when one entry path closes, immediately recognize and pursue the opened alternatives rather than forcing a defended technique.

Q6: What body orientation must you achieve after entering saddle, and why is this different from typical top positions? A: You must rotate your upper body to face the opponent’s trapped leg rather than maintaining chest-to-chest orientation typical of most top positions. Your chest should face their knee, not their face. This orientation is critical because it prevents opponent from obtaining upper body control, optimizes your leverage for heel and toe attacks, and positions your hips correctly for maintaining the entanglement. Failing to rotate and remaining chest-to-chest gives the opponent paths to escape and prevents effective submission attacks.

Q7: During the step-over phase, what specific timing window provides the highest success rate for entry, and how do you recognize this window? A: The highest success rate occurs when the opponent extends their leg defensively during guard recovery or to create framing distance against your passing pressure. You recognize this window by observing leg extension combined with their focus on upper body defense or attempts to create distance. Their leg is momentarily exposed because their attention is divided. Additionally, strong entry windows occur when opponent attempts to turn away during passing pressure, when they reach for your legs to defend, or during transitions between guard positions when their legs are in motion. The key is recognizing when their leg is extended AND their attention is elsewhere.

Safety Considerations

When practicing saddle entries, ensure controlled execution with clear communication between partners regarding resistance levels. The saddle position leads directly to inside heel hooks which can cause severe knee injuries if applied without control. During drilling, establish tap-early protocols and never apply sudden explosive force to leg locks. Partners should understand proper tapping procedures and recognize when they are caught in vulnerable positions. Instructors should ensure students have adequate experience with positional control before progressing to submission applications from saddle. Always practice on mats with sufficient padding, and beginners should master the entry mechanics with zero resistance before adding any defensive pressure. Avoid practicing this technique if either partner has existing knee or hip injuries without medical clearance. The rotation into saddle can place stress on the practitioner’s own knees, so execute entries smoothly rather than explosively to protect your own joints.

Position Integration

The Saddle Entry from Top serves as a critical bridge between traditional passing positions and modern leg entanglement systems. This technique represents the intersection of pressure passing and submission-focused grappling, allowing practitioners to threaten both passing completion and immediate leg attacks. Within the broader BJJ positional hierarchy, saddle entry from top has revolutionized how top players approach guard passing—no longer must the top player fully pass to access dominant positions, as the saddle itself provides immediate submission threats and positional control.

This entry integrates seamlessly with headquarters position, knee slice passing, float passing, and long step approaches, creating a comprehensive top game where leg entanglement becomes a primary objective rather than an opportunistic attack. The technique also connects to the full ashi garami system (Outside Ashi, Inside Ashi, 50-50, Cross Ashi), as the saddle entry mechanics provide the foundation for understanding how to access all leg entanglement positions from top. Understanding this entry is fundamental for any modern no-gi competitor and increasingly relevant in gi competition where leg locks are permitted. The saddle entry represents a paradigm shift in BJJ strategy where the traditional goal of achieving side control or mount can be replaced by the equally dominant and more submission-oriented saddle position.

Related Techniques

• Saddle - Destination position - where this entry leads
• Inside Heel Hook - Primary submission from ending position
• Outside Ashi Entry - Alternative leg entanglement entry from similar positions
• Headquarters Position - Common starting position for this entry
• Knee Slice Pass - Alternative starting position and passing option
• Inside Ashi-Garami - Related position in leg entanglement system
• Toe Hold - Alternative submission from saddle position
• X-Guard to Ashi Transition - Complementary technique when opponent attempts X-Guard
• Leg Weave Pass - Alternative passing approach from similar positions
• 50-50 Guard - Related leg entanglement position
• Cross Ashi-Garami - Alternative ashi garami variation
• Kneebar - Alternative submission from saddle position

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The saddle entry from top position represents a fundamental understanding of how leg entanglement systems integrate with passing mechanics. The critical element most practitioners miss is that this is not a separate technique from passing—it IS passing, just to a different destination. The geometry of the saddle entry requires precise leg positioning: your outside leg creates the angle while your inside leg performs the actual entanglement. This is not a scramble position; it should be entered with the same systematic precision as entering side control. The control hierarchy is absolute: first control the near leg with your hands, then establish your outside leg position for angle, then thread your inside leg for entanglement, and finally secure the configuration with your feet locked. Each step must be completed before progressing to the next. The common error of rushing this sequence results in poor entries that are easily escaped. When executed with proper mechanics, the saddle entry from top provides one of the highest-percentage paths to leg lock submissions in modern grappling. The position’s effectiveness stems from the opponent’s hip being controlled in three dimensions simultaneously—your inside thigh prevents internal rotation, your outside thigh prevents external rotation, and your locked feet prevent extension. This tri-directional control is why the saddle position is so dominant and why proper entry mechanics are essential to achieving it.
• Gordon Ryan: In competition, the saddle entry from top is one of my highest-percentage techniques because it puts opponents in an immediate dilemma: defend the pass or defend their leg. They can’t do both effectively. I use this entry constantly when passing because modern guard players are trained to defend traditional passing positions, but many still don’t properly defend leg entanglement entries. The key to making this work at the highest levels is disguising your intention—I’ll threaten a knee slice or headquarters pass, and when they commit to defending that pass, their leg becomes exposed for saddle entry. Timing is everything. You want to catch their leg when it’s extended during their defensive movements, not when they’re tight and compact. Against high-level opponents, I’ll often use failed passing attempts to set up the saddle entry, letting them feel like they’re successfully defending until I switch to the leg entanglement. The reality is that once you’re in the saddle with proper control, the inside heel hook finish is extremely high percentage. I’ve won numerous matches by submission from this position, and the entry from top is how I get there most often. Train this entry until it’s automatic, because in competition you’ll have split seconds to recognize and capitalize on the opening. The difference between good and great leg lockers is often their ability to enter the position efficiently from top.
• Eddie Bravo: The saddle entry from top is a game-changer for 10th Planet practitioners because it fits perfectly with our pressure-heavy passing styles and no-gi focus. What I love about this entry is how it creates chaos for traditional guard players who aren’t comfortable with leg entanglements. We teach our students to think of this as a passing position itself, not just a submission hunt. From the saddle, you have multiple attack paths—inside heel hooks, toe holds, transitions to the truck position, or even coming back on top if needed. The key innovation we’ve added is using the entry as part of combination attacks. For example, if they defend the saddle entry hard, that defense often opens up the back take or traditional passing completion. It’s beautiful jiu-jitsu because you’re creating multiple dilemmas simultaneously. I also emphasize getting students comfortable entering saddle from weird scramble positions, not just clean passing scenarios. In 10th Planet competition style, things get messy, and being able to recognize saddle entry opportunities during transitions and scrambles is crucial. We drill this from standing, from failed guard pulls, from turtle—anywhere the legs get exposed. The modern game has shifted toward leg locks being primary attacks rather than secondary options, and this entry is a big reason why. Master this entry and you’ll see your submission rate skyrocket, guaranteed.