### Heel Hook Technique The **heel hook** is a potent lower body submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that targets the opponent's ankle and knee by twisting the foot. It's essential to execute this submission with great caution, as it places significant stress on the ligaments and tendons of the knee. --- #### 1. **Setup from Ashi Garami (Single Leg X-Guard) Position** 1. **Establish the Position:** - Start by establishing the **Ashi Garami** position by wrapping one of your legs around the opponent's leg, with your foot placed on their hip. - Your other leg should be placed behind the opponent's knee, using your knee to pinch their leg securely. 2. **Control the Opponent's Leg:** - Use your arm on the side of the leg you're attacking to cup the heel of the opponent's trapped foot. - Use your other arm to hug and control the shin, keeping their leg close to your chest. 3. **Initiate the Heel Hook:** - Clamp your top arm tightly around their heel, cupping it firmly. - With the foot in place, use your body to apply a twisting motion to the opponent's foot. Your goal is to cause the ankle to rotate externally. 4. **Finishing the Submission:** - Pull their toes towards you as you twist the heel, causing rotational force through the knee. - To amplify the torque efficiently, you may slightly hip out in the opposite direction of the twist, increasing pressure on the knee. 5. **Maintain Control:** - Continue securing the leg with your legs and maintain controlled pressure until your partner taps, ensuring that the force is both controlled and kept minimal to avoid injury. --- ### Best Practices and Cautions: - **Control and Precision:** Focus on precise control and grip, rather than brute force. - **Tap Early:** Communicate effectively with your training partners about tapping before actual pain or damage occurs. - **Avoid in Competition (Beginner Levels):** Many competitions restrict heel hooks in lower experience levels due to safety concerns. --- ### Additional Positions to Perform the Heel Hook: - **50/50 Guard:** A versatile position where both practitioners have leg entanglement opportunities. - **De La Riva Guard (Inverted Hook):** When transitioning into leg locks from a tactical guard position. - **Outside Ashi Garami:** An alternative variation of the single leg X-guard. ---