DARCETechnique Library
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Heel Hook

  • BJJ
  • Leg Locks
  • advanced
  • Ashi garami
  • 3 steps

Control the leg, trap the heel and rotate it to torque the knee, extremely dangerous, drill with care. Also known as the Inside/outside heel hook. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Ashi garami

    Secure a strong leg entanglement so their knee line is controlled.

    Heel Hook step 1 of 3: Ashi garami
  2. 02

    Catch the heel

    Trap the foot, cup the heel in the crook of your elbow and lock your hands.

    Heel Hook step 2 of 3: Catch the heel
  3. 03

    Rotate the heel

    Keeping the knee pinned by your legs, rotate the heel to torque the knee, apply slowly in training.

    Heel Hook step 3 of 3: Rotate the heel

Key details

  • Control the knee line with your legs, the rotation must load the knee, not just the ankle.
  • Cup the heel, do not grip the foot.
  • Apply slowly; the heel hook gives almost no warning before injury.

Common mistakes

  • Attacking the heel without controlling the knee.
  • Cranking fast, this injures training partners.
  • Letting them rotate their knee to safety by losing the entanglement.

Related techniques

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