Calf Slicer
- BJJ
- Slicers
- advanced
- Leg entanglement
- 3 steps
Wedge your shin behind their knee, fold their lower leg over it and pull to crush the calf into the bone. Also known as the Calf crush or the Knee slice (leg). Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the calf slicer from the truck or a leg entanglement when the opponent’s leg is bent. Wedge your shin high behind their knee before you fold. Apply it only where your rules and training partners allow it.
Step by step
- 01
Control the leg
Secure a leg entanglement and slide your shin behind the back of their knee.
- 02
Fold over the wedge
Bend their leg so the calf folds tightly over your shin, your shin acting as the fulcrum.
- 03
Pull & compress
Hug their foot to your chest and pull to drive your shin up into the calf muscle. Apply slowly.
Key details
- Place your shin high behind the knee so the fold is sharp.
- Pull the foot toward you to close the joint over the wedge.
- The bite is bone-on-muscle. Keep your shin, not your calf, as the wedge.
Common mistakes
- A low wedge near the ankle that only stretches instead of compressing.
- Letting their leg straighten and slip off the shin.
- Cranking fast. Calf slicers are extremely painful and quick to injure.
Common counters
Opponents straighten the leg, turn out of the entanglement, or push your shin away. A low wedge only stretches the leg. Keep the shin high behind the knee.
How to drill it
From a leg entanglement, wedge the shin and fold slowly while your partner taps early, five reps on each side. Then do two rounds of one minute of entanglement work with no finish.
Related techniques
- Guard PullBJJFrom standing grips, sit down and pull the opponent into your closed guard to start the bottom game.
- Bicep SlicerBJJWedge the blade of your forearm into the crook of their elbow and curl their wrist to crush the biceps against the bone.
- KneebarBJJStraighten the leg and bridge your hips against the back of the knee to hyperextend the joint.
Train it with the AI coach