Toe Hold

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

Figure-four grip the foot and rotate it to torque the ankle and knee. Also known as the Figure-four foot lock or the Ankle lock (toe hold). 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

    Control the leg with a strong entanglement.

    Toe Hold step 1 of 3: Ashi garami
  2. 02

    Figure-four the foot

    Grab the toes/instep with one hand, thread the other under and grip your own wrist for a figure-four.

    Toe Hold step 2 of 3: Figure-four the foot
  3. 03

    Rotate the foot

    Rotate the foot downward and in, twisting the ankle and loading the knee, apply slowly.

    Toe Hold step 3 of 3: Rotate the foot

Key details

  • Get a tight figure-four so the foot cannot spin out of the grip.
  • Control the knee line so the rotation reaches the joint.
  • Apply slowly, it stresses both ankle and knee.

Common mistakes

  • A loose grip that lets the foot rotate free.
  • No knee-line control, so it only tweaks the foot.
  • Cranking fast and injuring a partner.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

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