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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Technique: Leg Locks & Heel Hook

Author: Gina Dean
Date Posted: January 30, 2009

The lock directed at the joints of the leg is referred as leg lock. Ankle lock, knee lock, hip lock and foot lock are some of the common types used in leg lock technique. Leg lock is a more difficult technique than arm lock to apply since legs are generally stronger than arms. This technique is used in martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, catch wrestling, mixed martial arts, Sambo, shoot wrestling and submission wrestling. It is not recommended for common judos.

Leg lock requires the entire power of the body to attack and hold stronger joints like the knee. Compared to arm locks, leg locks usually require more specified positions than the general directions or mounts. Leg lock is always applied in a slow, steady and controlled manner. In repeated self defense mechanism under applied leg locks with excess force, bone fractures or dislocation with excessive muscle damage is sure to occur.

There are few different types of leg lock techniques. The Knee Bar- A knee bar also known as straight leg bar which extends the knees greatly causing severe pain. The knee bar technique is performed by holding the opponents leg in between your legs and arms so that the opponent's knee points towards the body. By pushing the hips forward, the opponent's leg is straightened and knee is extended in spite of putting a lot of effort to control it. Ankle Lock- Ankle Lock or shin lock is applied to the ankle joints. Straight Ankle Lock- It is practiced in the continuation process of general ankle lock technique. It is applied using attackers’ legs to isolate one of the opponents’ legs. Toe hold and heel hook are other leg lock techniques used widely.

A heel hook is a leg lock technique which affects multiple joints. It is applied by transversal foot twist. It follows the principle of torsional force which produces torque. This torque is transferred to joints specially knee joints. Leg lock is a dangerous technique of fighting and heel hook is the most dangerous of all the leg locks. It generally produces higher injury rates related to knee ligaments. This technique is banned in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Sambo. However it is allowed in other professional wrestling, submission wrestling and other mixed martial arts competition. In heel hook foot is twisted medially or laterally. So it is commendable to use it effectively and momentarily.

There are different variations of heel hooks. The most common and general is the placement of legs around a leg of an opponent, and holding the opponent's foot in the armpit on one of the sides. The legs are used to control the movement of the opponent’s body while the opponent's foot is twisted by holding the heel with one of the arms and twist the whole body. This creates severe lateral torque on the ankle. A similar heel hook can be practiced by holding the opponent's foot in the opposite armpit, and twisting it laterally. This heel hook is generally known as inverted heel hook, reverse heel hook or inside heel hook. Earlier, the heel hook was used almost by all the performers. But due to its severe and bad effects, it was banned in further development of leg lock techniques.

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Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu articles.

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