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Best Heel Hook Instructional: Top BJJ Fanatics Picks
Heel hooks changed submission grappling permanently. I’ve studied all the major heel hook instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, cross-referenced BJJ World reviews, Reddit discussions, and specialist blogs, and ranked 8 dedicated heel hook systems by completeness, teaching quality, and real-world applicability.
Heads up: the BJJ Fanatics links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes the rankings – every pick is studied and tested on the mat first.
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The top picks, up front
2026 editionLeg Lock Anthology: 50/50
Lachlan GilesThe most structured heel hook system available. 50/50 mastery with physio-informed breaking mechanics and ADCC footage.
≈12 h · 8 vols · no-gi · $$Down Under Leg Attacks
Craig JonesSaddle-based heel hook system with the simplest teaching style in BJJ.
≈4 h · no-gi · all levels · $Heel Hook The World
Heath Pedigo & Jacob CouchThe fastest on-ramp to heel hooks. A beginner demonstrates every technique.
≈2 h · no-gi · beginner · $Heel hooks changed submission grappling permanently. Since the Danaher Death Squad made ashi garami a household term around 2016-2017, every serious no-gi competitor has needed a heel hook game. But with dozens of instructionals covering inside heel hooks, outside heel hooks, 50/50, saddle, and K guard entries, choosing the right one is harder than exposing the heel against a good defender.
I’ve studied all the major heel hook instructionals on BJJ Fanatics, cross-referenced BJJ World reviews, Reddit discussions, and specialist blogs, and ranked them by system completeness, teaching quality, and real-world applicability. This page covers 8 dedicated heel hook systems plus 2 honorable mentions.
Last updated: March 2026. Prices checked at time of writing.
Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50
Lachlan GilesThe 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.
What it covers
Volumes 1-2 build the foundation: keeping the knee line, rotational 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.
Why it stands 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
One of the best instructionals ever made.
The Grappling Conjecture (August 2021)
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.
No-gi competitors who want to specialize in 50/50 heel hooks. Both beginners (strong foundational chapters) and advanced practitioners refining their game.
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.
Lachlan’s K Guard (entries to reach 50/50) or Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks (saddle-based finishing as a complementary system)
Down Under Leg Attacks
Craig JonesThe 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.
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.
Why it stands 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
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)
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.
Budget-conscious practitioners wanting proven leg lock instruction. Those who prefer saddle-based systems over 50/50 and learn best from simple, direct teaching.
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).
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)
Systematically Attacking The Legs
Gordon RyanThe 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.
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.
Why it stands 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
Not suitable for beginners – a solid base in positional control and safety is required.
YourBJJGuide
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).
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.
You’re new to leg locks. Start with Pedigo or Craig Jones first, then come to Gordon once you have the basics.
Danaher’s Enter The System (for theoretical foundation) or Lachlan’s K Guard (for modern entries into the positions Gordon teaches you to dominate)
Leglocks: Enter The System
John DanaherThe 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.
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.
Why it stands 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
Within 30 minutes of initial viewing, I submitted a resisting opponent 4 times using the principles.
Anthony Norman Chandler (blue belt, November 2018)
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.
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.
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.
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)
Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts
Garry TononThe 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.
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.
Why it stands 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
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.
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.
You want maximum depth (go Lachlan or Danaher instead) or the absolute best value (Craig Jones is half the price with comparable content).
Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks (for saddle-specific depth Tonon covers more briefly) or Lachlan’s K Guard (for modern entries)
Heel Hook The World: The Complete Beginners Guide
Heath Pedigo & Jacob CouchThe 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.
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.
Why it stands 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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
No Gi Open Guard Vol. 1: K Guard
Lachlan GilesThe 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.
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.
Why it stands 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
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Battle Tested Down Under Leglocks
Craig JonesThe 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.
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.
Why it stands 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
Craig Jones’ best one to date. Acquiring both Down Under Craig Jones DVDs will make practitioners unstoppable.
BJJ World reviewer
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.
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.
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).
Down Under Leg Attacks by Craig Jones (the prerequisite original) or Lachlan’s Leg Lock Anthology (for deeper 50/50 coverage)
All picks, side by side
Comparison tableSwipe sideways for details · the price column stays pinned →
| # | Instructional | Instructor | Runtime | Level | Format | Category | Tier | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 | Lachlan Giles | ~12h 18m across 8 volumes | All levels (strong foundations through advanced) | No-gi | 50/50 heel hook system | $$ | Check price → |
| 2 | Down Under Leg Attacks | Craig Jones | ~4 hours across 4 DVDs | All levels | No-gi | Value saddle system | $ | Check price → |
| 3 | Systematically Attacking The Legs | Gordon Ryan | ~8-10 hours across 8 volumes | Intermediate to advanced | No-gi | For competition | $$$ | Check price → |
| 4 | Leglocks: Enter The System | John Danaher | ~9-10 hours across 8 DVDs (Remastered) | All levels (patient learners) | No-gi (Remastered version) | For complete theory | $$$ | Check price → |
| 5 | Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts | Garry Tonon | ~5-7 hours across 7 parts | Novice to intermediate | No-gi | Condensed dds system | $$$ | Check price → |
| 6 | Heel Hook The World: The Complete Beginners Guide | Heath Pedigo & Jacob Couch | ~2 hours across 4 parts (~30 min each) | White and blue belts | No-gi | For beginners | $ | Check price → |
| 7 | No Gi Open Guard Vol. 1: K Guard | Lachlan Giles | ~6+ hours across 8 parts | Intermediate (blue belt+) | No-gi | Heel hook entries | $$ | Check price → |
| 8 | Battle Tested Down Under Leglocks | Craig Jones | ~4 hours across 4 volumes (incl. ~60 min narrated rolls) | Intermediate (studied original first) | No-gi | Advanced saddle work | $ | Check price → |
Why these 3?
Why these 3?
These three picks each solve a different problem for heel hook learners:
- Lachlan Giles (#1) earns the top spot because no other instructional matches the structure, depth, and competitive validation of his 50/50 system. FightingFit Jiujitsu praised the structure as best-in-class, The Grappling Conjecture called it one of the best instructionals ever made, and Lachlan proved the system by heel hooking Kaynan Duarte, Patrick Gaudio, and Mahamad Aly at ADCC 2019 while weighing 77kg. The physio-informed breaking mechanics are a genuine differentiator nobody else offers.
- Craig Jones (#2) gets the budget pick for his unmatched value-to-depth ratio. David Bista at BJJ World gave it 5/5 and praised Craig’s simple language that teaches techniques A to Z. At roughly $77, both the original and the Battle Tested sequel cost less combined than a single Danaher or Gordon Ryan set. The saddle-based approach also provides a fundamentally different attacking philosophy than Lachlan’s 50/50 focus.
- Heath Pedigo & Jacob Couch (#3) fill the beginner slot because they’re the only instructors who genuinely designed their set for white and blue belts. BJJ World gave it 9/10 specifically for accessibility. At 2 hours, it’s the most time-efficient heel hook instructional available, and Casey Marshall (a beginner) demonstrates every technique on camera.
Each remaining review targets a specific niche: theoretical foundations (Danaher), competition-level detail (Gordon Ryan), condensed DDS system (Tonon), K guard entries (Lachlan), and advanced saddle work (Craig Jones sequel).
Which Heel Hook Instructional Fits Your Game?
Answer a few questions to find the right heel hook instructional for your game.
Pricing & Deals
BJJ Fanatics runs frequent sales (30-50% off). Prices below are list prices checked in March 2026.
| Instructional | Instructor | Price | Runtime | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 | Lachlan Giles | $147 | ~12h | Best overall |
| Down Under Leg Attacks | Craig Jones | ~$77 | ~4h | Best value |
| Systematically Attacking The Legs | Gordon Ryan | ~$174 | ~8-10h | Competition |
| Leglocks: Enter The System | John Danaher | $197 | ~9-10h | Theory |
| Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts | Garry Tonon | $197 | ~5-7h | Condensed DDS |
| Heel Hook The World | Pedigo/Couch | ~$79 | ~2h | Beginners |
| K Guard Vol. 1 | Lachlan Giles | ~$99 | ~6h | Entries |
| Battle Tested Down Under | Craig Jones | ~$79 | ~4h | Advanced saddle |
Best value combo: Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks + Battle Tested (~$156 combined) gives you a complete saddle system for less than one Danaher or Gordon Ryan set.
Best investment combo: Lachlan’s K Guard + Leg Lock Anthology 50/50 (~$246 combined) gives you the most complete entry-to-finish pipeline available.
Heel Hook Terminology Glossary
- Ashi Garami – Foot entanglement. The family of positions used to control an opponent’s leg for lower body submissions. Three main families: straight ashi, cross ashi, and reverse ashi.
- Inside Heel Hook – A heel hook where rotational force is applied toward the inside of the knee. Generally considered more dangerous than outside heel hooks due to the direction of torque on the knee ligaments.
- Outside Heel Hook – A heel hook where rotational force is applied toward the outside of the knee. Legal in more rulesets than inside heel hooks.
- 50/50 Guard – A symmetrical leg entanglement where both fighters have similar control of each other’s legs. Lachlan Giles’ primary attacking position for heel hooks.
- Saddle (Inside Sankaku / Honey Hole / 411) – A powerful leg entanglement where the attacker’s legs triangle around the opponent’s leg with inside position. Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan’s primary heel hook position.
- K Guard – An open guard position invented/popularized by Lachlan Giles. The primary modern entry to backside 50/50 for heel hooks.
- Heel Exposure – The act of clearing an opponent’s defensive grips to access the heel for a heel hook. Considered the hardest part of heel hooking by Pedigo/Couch.
- Knee Line – An imaginary line across the opponent’s knee. Controlling below the knee line is essential for effective heel hook attacks.
- Backside 50/50 – A variation of 50/50 where the attacker has access to the heel from behind the opponent’s leg. The primary destination from K guard.
- Cross Ashi Garami – A leg entanglement where the attacker’s legs cross over the opponent’s trapped leg. Also called the honey hole or inside sankaku.
- Irimi Ashi Garami – Danaher/Gordon Ryan’s term for inside sankaku (saddle). An entering leg entanglement with strong inside position control.
- Reap – Crossing your leg over the opponent’s thigh from outside to inside. Restricted or illegal in many gi competitions. Essential for heel hook entries in no-gi.
FAQ
What is the best heel hook instructional for beginners?
Heel Hook The World by Heath Pedigo and Jacob Couch is the best starting point. At 2 hours and ~$79, it’s designed specifically for white and blue belts, with every technique demonstrated by a beginner. BJJ World gave it 9/10 for accessibility. If you want more depth, Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks (~$77) is the next step up with its simple teaching style.
Is Danaher’s Enter The System leg locks worth it?
Yes, if you want to understand the complete theoretical framework behind modern leg locks. Danaher’s principles-first approach makes every other leg lock instructional more valuable once you understand his system. The entry catalog in DVDs 7-8 is unmatched. However, if you want to start hitting heel hooks quickly, Craig Jones or Garry Tonon will get you submitting faster. Many practitioners watch Danaher at 2x speed due to his verbose teaching style.
Danaher vs Lachlan Giles for heel hooks – which is better?
They solve different problems. Danaher provides the complete theoretical framework covering all three ashi garami families, entries from every position, and the philosophical foundation. Lachlan provides the best structured 50/50 system with physio-informed mechanics and ADCC competition footage. If you want to understand “why,” start with Danaher. If you want the best 50/50 heel hook system with practical application, go Lachlan. Many practitioners study both.
What’s the difference between inside and outside heel hooks?
Inside heel hooks apply rotational force toward the inside of the knee, attacking the ACL and meniscus. Outside heel hooks apply force toward the outside. Inside heel hooks are generally considered more dangerous and are banned in most gi competitions and many no-gi tournaments below advanced divisions. Most heel hook instructionals focus primarily on inside heel hooks from positions like saddle and 50/50.
Do I need Craig Jones’ original Down Under Leg Attacks before buying Battle Tested?
Yes. Battle Tested assumes you already know saddle entries and basic finishing mechanics from the original set. It builds on that foundation with advanced heel exposure solutions, counter leg locks, and narrated rolling. Buying Battle Tested without the original is like reading a sequel without the first book. Together they cost ~$156, which is still less than one Danaher or Gordon Ryan set.
Is K Guard necessary for heel hooks?
Not strictly necessary, but it’s the most effective modern entry to backside 50/50 for heel hooks. Lachlan Giles developed K guard specifically as an entry system for his 50/50 heel hook game. If you already have reliable entries to leg entanglements (from De La Riva, half guard, or standing), you can skip K Guard. But if your entries are the weak link in your leg lock game, K Guard is the best investment.
Gordon Ryan or Danaher for leg locks?
Danaher teaches the theory; Gordon shows the application. Danaher’s Enter The System provides the philosophical framework, biomechanical principles, and comprehensive entry catalog. Gordon’s Systematically Attacking The Legs shows how the greatest no-gi competitor uses that system with position-first dominance and live rolling footage. For the most complete education, study both. If you can only pick one, Danaher for foundations or Gordon for competition application.
Still deciding which heel hook system to buy?
Start with Lachlan Giles’ Leg Lock Anthology for the most structured 50/50 system, Craig Jones’ Down Under Leg Attacks for the best value, or Heel Hook The World if you’re a beginner. Check today’s prices – BJJ Fanatics runs 30-50% sales year-round.