Make your straight ankle lock bite with single leg X and a reliable belly-down finish.
The Bottom Line
You will learn to create bite on the straight ankle lock using SLX, butterfly ashi, and lapel SLX entries. You will get a dependable belly-down switch that solves common finishing problems. You will not get a full SLX sweep encyclopedia or a heel-hook-heavy no-gi system.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Gi or no-gi ankle-lockers
Skip if: You only study heel hooks
Tech focus: Straight Ankle Lock, Single Leg X, Butterfly Ashi, 50/50, Lapel Single Leg X
Biggest takeaway: Belly-down finish unlocks SAL taps
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What You'll Learn
A focused two-volume system that turns single leg X into a sweep-and-submit hub, with lapel SLX variations and a reliable belly-down straight ankle lock finish. It starts with drills and mechanics, then covers entries, switches to 50/50, and counters to common defenses.
Expect gi and no-gi applicability, but note that several sequences use lapel control. The emphasis is on finishing SAL and forcing respect so passes slow down.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Straight Ankle Lock
- Single Leg X
- Butterfly Ashi
- 50/50
- Lapel Single Leg X
- Toe Hold
- Knee Bar
- Calf Slicer
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 1 hour and 12 minutes
- Volumes: 2
- Released: 2019
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I used the belly-down switch to convert stalemates into taps without cranking, and opponents began respecting my single leg X more.
Why Tarik Hopstock?
Hopstock is a Frontline black belt under Eduardo Rios and a recognized innovator in modern guard play. He popularized lapel-enhanced SLX and a crisp belly-down SAL. BJJ Heroes lists medals at major IBJJF events and regular elite competition. He has continued to compete against top Europeans, including ADCC Trials runs. His teaching style is direct and mechanics-driven.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Belly down is the answer for stubborn ankle locks.
- Frequently recommended as a go-to in ankle lock threads.
- Budget-friendly price and white-belt legal finish in gi.
- Tarik is praised as a strong single leg X player.
- Lapel SLX entries change passing behavior quickly.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some buyers got less value than from Bird Wiltse.
- Ankle locks are hard to finish from initial ashi alone.
- Heel-hook focused no-gi players find the scope narrow.
- Lapel material adds less if you train only no-gi.
Free Preview Lesson
Smart Alternatives
- Death From Below by Mikey Musumeci – Broader SAL system with defense answers and guard-based entries. (Price: $197.00, 4 vols)
- The Bird Lock System by Sathya Wiltse – Modern SAL grip variations and deep troubleshooting. (Price: $79.00, 4 vols)
- Dynamic Ankle Locks by Jason Rau – Balanced curriculum with belly-down finishes and counters. (Price: $79.00, 3 vols)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Belly Down Footlock From Single Leg X by Tarik Hopstock on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
