Best Heel Hook Instructional: Top BJJ Fanatics Picks

The most structured and competition-validated heel hook system available. Lachlan Giles proved this system at ADCC 2019 by heel hooking three athletes 20-40kg heavier than him, including Kaynan Duarte and Patrick Gaudio.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~12h 18m across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2020
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels (strong foundations through advanced)
• 🕸 50/50 Heel Hooks

What It Covers

Volumes 1-2 build the foundation: keeping the knee line, retational control, breaking mechanics, seated 50/50, 80/20 position, and 90/10 variants. Volumes 3-4 cover non-heel hook attacks from 50/50 (kneebars, toeholds), outside senkaku strategies, double trouble (attacking both legs), and a complete counter leg locking system.

Volumes 5-6 deliver the entries: K guard, De La Riva, reverse De La Riva, inverted, backstepping, and leg drag entries to 50/50. Volumes 7-8 add sweeps, back takes, non-leg-lock attacks, narrated rolling, and full ADCC 2019 competition footage with commentary and mistake analysis.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Physio background provides knee anatomy insights no other instructor offers (Lachlan has a PhD in physiotherapy)
• Primary attacks are visibly marked for easy navigation through 12+ hours of content
• ADCC competition footage with honest mistake analysis adds real-world context
• The entry catalog (K guard, DLR, RDLR, inverted, backstepping) is the most comprehensive for reaching 50/50
• Troubleshooting sections cover what-if scenarios for every common execution problem

What the Community Says

“The structure of the instructional is what sets it apart.”

FightingFit Jiujitsu (May 2021)

“One of the best instructionals ever made.”

The Grappling Conjecture (August 2021)

“Absolutely superb detail and explanations” with “great structure and editing.”

David Bista, BJJ World

“Day and night difference compared to other instructionals – concise and to the point without excessive repetition.”

Sherdog forum users

Weakness

Focused exclusively on 50/50 heel hooks. No kneebars, outside heel hooks from other positions, or ankle locks. Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks covers a broader range of positions (saddle, single leg X, closed guard entries). Garry Tonon’s Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts covers similar concepts in ~7 volumes with faster pacing. Some practitioners who prefer saddle/inside sankaku systems (the Gordon Ryan approach) may find the 50/50 focus limiting.

My Recommendation

Best for: No-gi competitors who want to specialize in 50/50 heel hooks. Both beginners (strong foundational chapters) and advanced practitioners refining their game.

Avoid if: You want a broad leg lock system covering multiple positions. For that, pair this with Craig Jones for saddle work or Danaher for the complete theoretical framework.

Pairs with: Lachlan’s K Guard (entries to reach 50/50) or Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks (saddle-based finishing as a complementary system)

The most accessible heel hook instructional on the market. Craig Jones’ simple teaching style turns complex saddle mechanics into techniques you can hit within your first week of studying the material.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 4 DVDs
• 📅 Released: 2018
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 All levels
• 🕸 Saddle-Based Heel Hooks

What It Covers

DVD 1 covers single leg X mechanics, leg pummeling, countering the running escape, heel exposure, and outside-to-saddle transitions. DVD 2 teaches saddle finishing (2 variations), running man defense counters, reverse X guard to saddle, and push defense counters.

DVD 3 covers 50/50 (triangle breaks, crossed feet breaks, criss-cross), Estima lock from single leg X, and back takes from multiple positions. DVD 4 is the chain attack volume: guillotine to heel hook, toehold to heel hook, kimura to heel hook, closed guard heel hooks, knee shield attacks, and standing entries.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Craig’s teaching style uses the simplest language in BJJ to explain techniques A to Z (David Bista, BJJ World)
• Chain attacks in DVD 4 (guillotine/kimura/toehold to heel hook) are unique to this set
• At ~$77, both this and the Battle Tested sequel combined cost less than one Danaher or Gordon Ryan set
• Saddle-centric approach provides a different attacking philosophy than Lachlan’s 50/50 focus

What the Community Says

“Craig Jones is using the most simple language to explain to you techniques that will really make a difference.”

David Bista, BJJ World (brown belt, 4+ years leg locking)

“Everything is very well structured” with logical progression from fundamentals.

David Bista, BJJ World

Weakness

Released in 2018, so it doesn’t reflect Craig’s evolved game. Some r/bjj users recommend his newer Make Z-Guard Great Again (for entries) and Systematic Submission Dilemmas (for finishing) as updated alternatives. Less systematic than Danaher’s Enter The System or Lachlan’s Leg Lock Anthology. No foundational philosophy chapter on leg lock principles, and fewer entry positions than Lachlan’s set.

My Recommendation

Best for: Budget-conscious practitioners wanting proven leg lock instruction. Those who prefer saddle-based systems over 50/50 and learn best from simple, direct teaching.

Avoid if: You want 2024-2026 meta techniques. Craig’s newer releases have evolved significantly. Also not ideal if you want deep 50/50 coverage (go to Lachlan for that).

Pairs with: Battle Tested Down Under Leglocks (the sequel, for advanced saddle work and narrated rolling) or Lachlan’s Leg Lock Anthology (for 50/50 coverage this set lacks)

The most detailed leg lock instruction from the greatest competition grappler alive. Gordon Ryan covers every major ashi garami position with a position-first philosophy: dominate the control position before finishing.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~8-10 hours across 8 volumes
• 📅 Released: 2020
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate to advanced
• 🕸 Complete Ashi Garami System

What It Covers

The series covers five major leg entanglement positions: irimi ashi garami (inside sankaku/saddle), cross ashi garami, outside ashi, 50/50, and standard ashi garami. For each position, Gordon teaches control mechanics, heel exposure against defensive opponents, inside and outside heel hook breaking pressure, common defensive reactions and counters, and drills his New Wave team uses daily.

Additional material includes transitioning between ashi garami positions, back takes from failed leg lock attempts, counter leg locking sequences, standing entries, and live rolling footage with breakdowns showing techniques in real sparring.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Position-first approach teaches you to dominate inside sankaku, cross ashi, etc. before focusing on the finish
• Covers both inside AND outside heel hooks comprehensively (Gordon insists you need both)
• Live rolling footage with breakdowns bridges the gap between drilling and sparring
• Team drills section provides structure for training partner work
• Companion BJJ FlowCharts available ($29-$40) for study reference

What the Community Says

“Extremely comprehensive with clear, stepwise options.”

Reddit/Sherdog community

“Not suitable for beginners – a solid base in positional control and safety is required.”

YourBJJGuide

Weakness

Requires prerequisite knowledge. This is not beginner-friendly despite the systematic layout. Heath Pedigo’s Heel Hook The World or Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks are better starting points. Gordon’s teaching style is efficient but lacks the personality of Craig Jones’ humor or Lachlan’s physio insights. At ~$174, it’s more expensive than Craig Jones’ $77 set. Some r/bjj users report significant overlap with Danaher’s Enter The System, raising the question of whether you need both (Danaher covers theory; Gordon covers application).

My Recommendation

Best for: Advanced no-gi competitors who already understand basic ashi garami and want to model their game after the GOAT. Competitors preparing for ADCC or sub-only tournaments.

Avoid if: You’re new to leg locks. Start with Pedigo or Craig Jones first, then come to Gordon once you have the basics.

Pairs with: Danaher’s Enter The System (for theoretical foundation) or Lachlan’s K Guard (for modern entries into the positions Gordon teaches you to dominate)

The foundational text for modern leg lock systems. Danaher revolutionized how BJJ approaches lower body attacks by teaching principles first: the four mechanical pillars, three families of ashi garami, and a philosophy that treats leg locks as dominant control positions rather than quick submissions.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~9-10 hours across 8 DVDs (Remastered)
• 📅 Released: 2017 (Remastered ~2018)
• 🥋 No-gi (Remastered version)
• 🎯 All levels (patient learners)
• 🕸 Complete Leg Lock Theory

What It Covers

DVD 1 covers the 4 mechanical pillars of jiu-jitsu (lever, directionality of force, kuzushi) and the 3 families of ashi garami: straight ashi, cross ashi (honey hole/saddle), and reverse ashi. DVDs 2-3 cover position development, pummeling, gravity drills, and straight ashi garami entries.

DVD 4 is the breaking mechanics bible: tension creation, grip analysis, heel hook function, leg cycling, the shared spiral concept, inside heel hooks, figure four toe holds, and kneebar mechanics. DVDs 5-6 cover cross ashi garami (honey hole) in depth. DVDs 7-8 contain the most comprehensive entry catalog of any leg lock instructional: sliding ashi, collaring elbow, front headlock to legs, arm drag to legs, knee shield entries, half guard entries, kani basami, deep half, RDLR, shin to shin, and more.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Principles-first teaching translates across ALL positions, not just specific techniques
• DVDs 7-8 have the most comprehensive leg lock entry catalog available
• Understanding Danaher’s framework makes every other leg lock instructional more valuable
• Remastered version fixes the audio problems that plagued the original release
• The leg lock-as-control-position philosophy was genuinely revolutionary when released

What the Community Says

“Within 30 minutes of initial viewing, I submitted a resisting opponent 4 times using the principles.”

Anthony Norman Chandler (blue belt, November 2018)

“The thing that stands out is his philosophy of leg locks – while most people see them as quick fixes, Danaher sees them as dominant control positions.”

BJJ World review

“Lachlan is a lot better because he explains things concisely… while Danaher explains stuff in a pseudointellectual manner so watching takes 2-3x more time.”

Reddit community (common criticism)

Weakness

Notoriously long-winded. Danaher uses 10 hours to cover what Lachlan Giles covers equally well in 12 hours with MORE techniques and competition footage. The academic/philosophical style alienates practitioners who want immediate technique, and many users report watching at 2x speed minimum. Craig Jones’ simple language approach is the polar opposite. Limited 50/50 depth compared to Lachlan’s entire set devoted to it. Originally released 2017, so specific techniques don’t reflect 2024-2026 meta developments like K guard entries.

My Recommendation

Best for: Intellectually-oriented grapplers who want to understand the complete theory behind leg locks. Coaches who need the full system framework to teach it. First-time leg lock students who want a complete mental model.

Avoid if: You want to start hitting heel hooks quickly. Craig Jones or Garry Tonon will get you submitting people faster. Also avoid if philosophical instruction frustrates you.

Pairs with: Gordon Ryan’s Systematically Attacking The Legs (Danaher teaches theory, Gordon shows application) or Lachlan’s 50/50 set (for deeper 50/50 coverage Danaher only touches on)

The DDS leg lock system condensed into a faster, more immediately applicable package. Garry Tonon learned directly from Danaher and distilled the system into something you can start using sooner, with clear safety advice for training heel hooks responsibly.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~5-7 hours across 7 parts
• 📅 Released: 2018
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Novice to intermediate
• 🕸 Condensed DDS System

What It Covers

The series covers inside heel hook and outside heel hook mechanics with maximum breaking detail, heel exposure techniques, and grip switching strategies. Tonon teaches cross ashi garami, irimi ashi garami (inside sankaku), and outside ashi garami as a unified game plan rather than separate positions.

Entry coverage includes safe, high-percentage entries from various positions, counters for hidden heels and standing opponents, and back side finishing sequences. A dedicated safety section provides clear guidelines for responsible heel hook sparring.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Links cross ashi, irimi ashi, and outside ashi into one unified game plan (most instructionals treat them separately)
• Faster pacing than Danaher’s Enter The System with immediate payoff
• Safety-conscious instruction is unusual for heel hook content and valuable for gym culture
• Covers both inside and outside heel hooks thoroughly
• Validated at EBI and ADCC competition level

What the Community Says

“A shorter version of Danaher’s system with immediate payoff.”

Community consensus, Reddit/Sherdog

“Great option for a novice leg locker to get started fast.”

Community consensus

Weakness

At $197, it’s the same price as Danaher’s Enter The System which has more content and depth. Only 7 parts compared to Lachlan’s 12+ hours or Danaher’s 9+ hours. No competition footage analysis like Lachlan provides, and no narrated rolling section like Craig Jones’ Battle Tested includes. Tonon’s teaching style is solid but doesn’t match Craig Jones’ personality or Danaher’s intellectual depth.

My Recommendation

Best for: Practitioners who want the DDS system condensed. Those who find Danaher too verbose but want the same system. Novice to intermediate leg lockers wanting a fast start. MMA practitioners who need functional heel hooks without excessive theory.

Avoid if: You want maximum depth (go Lachlan or Danaher instead) or the absolute best value (Craig Jones is half the price with comparable content).

Pairs with: Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks (for saddle-specific depth Tonon covers more briefly) or Lachlan’s K Guard (for modern entries)

The only heel hook instructional genuinely designed for beginners. At just 2 hours, it’s the most time-efficient entry point into heel hooks, with every technique demonstrated by Casey Marshall (a beginner) to prove the material is accessible from day one.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~2 hours across 4 parts (~30 min each)
• 📅 Released: 2021
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 White and blue belts
• 🕸 Beginner Heel Hooks

What It Covers

Part 1 covers heel hook attachment mechanics, ashi garami positioning basics, when to use inside vs. outside heel hooks, knee line control, and sweep directions from ashi garami. Part 2 tackles the hardest problem for beginners: heel exposure against defensive opponents.

Part 3 uses ankle locks as gateways to deep heel hooks, teaching how the ankle lock threat forces reactions that expose the heel. Part 4 covers finishing grips (butterfly grip, grip switching), outside and inside heel hook finishes, standing opponent heel hooks, and multiple finishing variations.

What Makes It Stand Out

• 2 hours of pure signal, zero filler (most efficient heel hook instructional available)
• The heel exposure section (Part 2) directly addresses the #1 problem beginners face
• Ankle lock to heel hook gateway concept (Part 3) is a practical approach unique to this set
• Pedigo Submission Fighting system proven at ADCC Trials level by Jacob Couch
• Beginner demonstration partner proves the material’s accessibility

What the Community Says

“Simply put, teaches beginners how to do heel hooks” focusing on “the best, most optimal way to finish the submission.”

BJJ World (9/10 rating)

Weakness

At 2 hours, it’s necessarily shallow compared to Lachlan’s 12-hour deep dive or Danaher’s 9-hour system. No entry coverage at all (assumes you’re already in ashi garami). Lachlan’s K Guard or Danaher’s DVDs 7-8 provide the entries this set lacks. No competition footage, no narrated rolling, and limited counter/defense coverage compared to Craig Jones’ Battle Tested. Heath Pedigo and Jacob Couch are respected but lack the name recognition of Danaher, Gordon Ryan, or Lachlan Giles.

My Recommendation

Best for: True beginners to heel hooks (white and blue belts). Practitioners overwhelmed by 8-volume sets. Budget-conscious buyers wanting fundamentals only. The perfect gateway before investing in Lachlan, Danaher, or Gordon Ryan.

Avoid if: You already know basic heel hook mechanics. This set will feel too elementary for anyone past blue belt level. Also not suitable as your only leg lock instructional long-term.

Pairs with: Any entry system (Lachlan’s K Guard, Danaher DVDs 7-8) to complement the missing entries. Then graduate to Lachlan’s 50/50 or Craig Jones for depth.

The most effective modern entry system for reaching backside 50/50, where Lachlan’s signature inside heel hook lives. K Guard is the on-ramp; the Leg Lock Anthology is the destination. Together they form a complete entry-to-finish pipeline.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~6+ hours across 8 parts
• 📅 Released: 2021
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate (blue belt+)
• 🕸 Heel Hook Entries

What It Covers

The core K guard system covers formation and positioning from seated guard, closed guard, and half guard. The primary goal is always the backside 50/50 entry for inside heel hooks. Lachlan teaches the “shallow K” technique for standing opponents and lateral closed guard entries for flexible practitioners.

Troubleshooting sections address combat base framing, opponents sitting back, and responses at every step. Secondary attacks include back takes, transitions to DLR and 70/30 guard, and sweeps when opponents defend the leg attack.

What Makes It Stand Out

• K guard is the most effective modern route to backside 50/50 heel hook position
• Designed for smaller grapplers vs. bigger opponents (Lachlan’s ADCC specialty)
• Part of an interconnected library (volumes 1-3 cover the complete no-gi open guard system)
• What-if troubleshooting for each entry makes it immediately applicable

What the Community Says

“His chapters on entry, securing the hold and finishing the submission as well as dealing with likely defenses is as excellent as you can expect.”

Seymour Yang (Meerkatsu)

“Giles commits to dropping the knee and swinging the far leg early” while other instructors keep a more conservative position.

Seymour Yang, comparing Lachlan vs. Neil Melanson’s K guard

Weakness

Heavily committed to leg locks. If you want K guard for back takes, Mikey Musumeci’s K guard instructional is better suited. Not a standalone product for heel hook finishing; you need the 50/50 set or similar instruction to complete the system. Adam Benayoun’s Now That’s What I Call K-Guard ($79) covers K guard with more balanced attacking options beyond just legs. Requires significant flexibility for some lateral closed guard positions.

My Recommendation

Best for: Practitioners who already own (or plan to buy) the Leg Lock Anthology 50/50. No-gi grapplers wanting the most direct path from open guard to heel hook position. Smaller grapplers looking for entries against bigger opponents.

Avoid if: You don’t already have a finishing system from 50/50 or backside 50/50. Buy Lachlan’s Leg Lock Anthology first, then add K Guard for entries.

Pairs with: Leg Lock Anthology 50/50 by Lachlan Giles (the finishing system K Guard feeds into). Together they form the most complete entry-to-finish heel hook pipeline available.

The sequel that takes Craig Jones’ saddle system to the next level. Where the original taught the basics, Battle Tested addresses what happens when good defenders hide their heels, counter your legs, and force you to problem-solve in real time.

Quick Facts

• ⏰ ~4 hours across 4 volumes (incl. ~60 min narrated rolls)
• 📅 Released: 2020
• 🥋 No-gi
• 🎯 Intermediate (studied original first)
• 🕸 Advanced Saddle Heel Hooks

What It Covers

Volume 1 covers saddle inside heel hook finishes (2 variations), 50/50 guard introduction, and heel exposure solutions against defensive opponents who hide the heel. Volume 2 teaches the 50/50 guard formula, heel hook variations and counter leg locks from 50/50, leg lock defense, and multiple back take options (outside, crab ride, back step, reaping).

Volumes 3-4 provide 16 rolling chapters, 7 Q&A chapters addressing common problems, and ~60 minutes of narrated rolling with detailed real-time commentary identifying techniques and strategies as they happen.

What Makes It Stand Out

• Extensive narrated rolling footage is unusual for instructionals and bridges the drilling-to-sparring gap
• Heel exposure solutions against defensive opponents solve the #1 problem intermediate leg lockers face
• Counter leg locking and leg lock defense from 50/50 add defensive completeness
• Back takes from leg lock positions (crab ride, back step, reaping) provide options when the heel hook fails

What the Community Says

Craig Jones’ “best one to date.” Acquiring “both Down Under Craig Jones DVDs” will make practitioners “unstoppable.”

BJJ World reviewer

Weakness

Limited entry coverage. Assumes you already know how to get to saddle and 50/50 from the original Down Under Leg Attacks set. If you buy this without the original, you’ll lack the foundational entries. Lachlan’s Leg Lock Anthology covers 50/50 in far greater depth. Gordon Ryan’s Systematically Attacking The Legs provides more elite-level positional detail from inside sankaku.

My Recommendation

Best for: Practitioners who own and have absorbed the original Down Under Leg Attacks. Those who want to see heel hooks applied in live rolling with commentary. Intermediate leg lockers who can get to saddle but struggle to finish against good defenders.

Avoid if: You haven’t studied the original Down Under Leg Attacks. This sequel assumes that knowledge. Also not ideal as a standalone purchase for 50/50 (Lachlan is deeper there).

Pairs with: Down Under Leg Attacks by Craig Jones (the prerequisite original) or Lachlan’s Leg Lock Anthology (for deeper 50/50 coverage)