A ranked, evidence-backed guide to the best BJJFanatics instructionals for ashi garami and leg entanglements in 2025, with Reddit sentiment, product data, and practical takeaways.
Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50
A clear, modern 50/50 system that takes you from neutral to backside control with safe, high-percentage finishes.
Leglocks: Enter The System
The definitive leg lock framework that teaches ashi garami structure, control, and safe, high-leverage finishes.
Down Under Leg Attacks
A proven, no-nonsense path to effective leg attacks with emphasis on inside heel hooks and clean entries.
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🥋 #1 Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles
Instructor: Lachlan Giles
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Biggest takeaway: Own the knee line
Techniques: 50/50, Backside 50/50, Inside Heel Hook
- Dynamic No Gi 50/50 by Jason Rau – Shorter, crisp overview with actionable drills.
- Down Under Leg Attacks by Craig Jones – Faster on-ramp to inside heel hooks and entries.
- Milk the System: Defending Leg Locks from Cross Ashi and 50/50 by Dan Manasoiu – Pair offense with modern defensive reactions.
You learn a complete 50/50 roadmap with safe finishing mechanics. You get troubleshooting for real counters and spin-outs. You will not get a broad move dump across every leg position.
✅ Pros
- Backside 50/50 is explained simply and thoroughly.
- Troubleshooting prevents stalls and failed finishes.
- Tight safety cues reduce training risk and bad habits.
⚠️ Cons
- Narrow positional scope may not suit dabblers.
- High density requires note-taking and review time.
- Mostly no-gi examples limit direct gi transfer.
💡 I found the backside 50/50 entries plus knee line retention to be the fastest path to consistent leg finishes under resistance. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #2 Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher
Instructor: John Danaher
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 10 hours and 45 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Principles over moves
Techniques: Ashi Garami, Inside Heel Hook, Breaking Mechanics
- Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts by Garry Tonon – Faster pacing and direct drills while staying systematic.
- Down Under Leg Attacks by Craig Jones – Quicker implementation of inside heel hook offense.
- Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape by Giancarlo Bodoni – Use offense insights to anchor defense training.
You learn a principle-driven leg system instead of random techniques. You get clear control and finishing mechanics. You will not get a short, quick-start crash course.
✅ Pros
- Concepts transfer across positions and setups.
- Excellent control hierarchy and safety cues.
- Pairs with any entry-focused course seamlessly.
⚠️ Cons
- Pacing is slow for some learners.
- Less specific 50/50 coverage than niche sets.
- Time investment is significant for busy students.
💡 I used Danaher principles to translate any new entry into a stable ashi control and safer, repeatable finishes. Recommendation: Buy it now.
🥋 #3 Down Under Leg Attacks by Craig Jones
Instructor: Craig Jones
Style: System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 2 hours and 49 minutes
Volumes: 4
Biggest takeaway: Attack fast and finish
Techniques: Inside Heel Hook, Saddle, Entries
- Battle Tested Down Under Leglocks by Craig Jones – Updates concepts and adds narrated rolling context.
- Systematic Submission Dilemmas by Craig Jones – Pairs triangles with leg locks to force dilemmas.
- Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher – Add structure and deeper mechanics after this set.
You learn fast, functional sequences and finishes. You get minimal theory and lots of implementation. You will not get exhaustive coverage of defense or every entanglement.
✅ Pros
- Practical entries that work under pressure.
- Concise instruction accelerates adoption.
- Excellent companion to conceptual systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Aged production and some dated details.
- Defense content is limited by design.
- Less structure than newer systems.
💡 I see this as the quickest way to get meaningful heel hook offense while you develop a broader system. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #4 Dynamic Cross Ashi by Jason Rau
Instructor: Jason Rau
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 17 minutes
Volumes: 3
Biggest takeaway: Control before finish
Techniques: Cross Ashi, Leg Control, Entries
- Dynamic Outside Ashi: Leg Attacks by Jason Rau – Complements cross ashi with outside ashi solutions.
- Dynamic No Gi 50/50 by Jason Rau – Round out your 50/50 game with concise teaching.
- Leglocks 101 by Charles Harriott – If you need safer basics first, start there.
You learn to stabilize cross ashi and progress. You get precise mechanics for control and finishing. You will not get broad coverage of 50/50 or saddle.
✅ Pros
- Exceptional pedagogy and structure.
- Focused control sequences reduce scrambles.
- Troubleshooting anticipates real counters.
⚠️ Cons
- Scope limited to cross ashi by design.
- Less entry variety than older megasets.
- No dedicated gi sections.
💡 I recommend Rau when students struggle to stabilize the position before finishing. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #5 Forging The Guard: Mastering The Foundations of Ashi Garami by Giancarlo Bodoni
Instructor: Giancarlo Bodoni
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 5 hours and 4 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Position first, then finish
Techniques: Ashi Garami, Entries, Knee Line Control
- Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape by Giancarlo Bodoni – Pair offense foundations with proven defense.
- The Modern Leg Lock Manual by Victor Hugo – IBJJF-legal focus complements fundamentals.
- Leglocks 101 by Charles Harriott – Beginner-friendly path before deeper systems.
You learn stable ashi entries and control. You get competition-focused details that hold up under pressure. You will not get an exhaustive megaset.
✅ Pros
- Competition-tested fundamentals from a recent ADCC champ.
- Clear structure for guard-based ashi entries.
- IBJJF-aware details aid safer training.
⚠️ Cons
- Less personality-driven than some prefer.
- Scope smaller than all-in-one megasets.
- Defense content limited to pairing sets.
💡 I like this for students who want reliable, transferable leg control before chasing advanced dilemma chains. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #6 Breaking Legs and Breaking Hearts by Garry Tonon
Instructor: Garry Tonon
Style: System Based, Conceptual
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 7 hours and 9 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Pace with precision
Techniques: Inside Heel Hook, Entries, Breaking Mechanics
- Exit The System by Garry Tonon – Pair offense with elite joint lock escapes.
- Leglocks 101 by Charles Harriott – Beginner-friendly if you need safer starting points.
- Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher – Add conceptual scaffolding for long-term growth.
You learn clean entries and finishing mechanics quickly. You get a balanced mix of concepts and reps. You will not get a defense-focused curriculum here.
✅ Pros
- Actionable sequences without fluff.
- Clear finishing mechanics boost safety and success.
- Great midpoint between intro and mega systems.
⚠️ Cons
- Fast pace may overwhelm some.
- Less IBJJF-legal emphasis for gi purists.
- Defense requires separate purchase.
💡 I suggest Tonon when students find Danaher too slow but still want a coherent system. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #7 Milk The System: Leg Locks From Beginner To Advanced by Dan Manasoiu
Instructor: Dan Manasoiu
Style: System Based, Technique Collection
Best for: All Levels
Format: No-Gi
Biggest takeaway: Scale your system
Techniques: Entries, Cross Ashi, 50/50
- Milk the System: Defending Leg Locks from Cross Ashi and 50/50 – Pair your offense with robust defense training.
- Leglocks 101 by Charles Harriott – If you want a simpler true starter course.
- Dynamic Cross Ashi by Jason Rau – Add focused cross ashi control and finishes.
You learn stepwise entries and finishes across core ashi positions. You get a current meta perspective. You will not get deep historical context or Reddit-tested longevity yet.
✅ Pros
- Complete arc from basics to advanced.
- Modern mechanics reflect current competition.
- Great fit for larger athletes and leverage.
⚠️ Cons
- Newer set with fewer long-term reviews.
- Defense sold separately increases cost.
- Less 50/50 nuance than specialist sets.
💡 I view this as a fresh, scalable option for athletes wanting up-to-date material without starting from scratch elsewhere. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #8 The Modern Leg Lock Manual by Victor Hugo
Instructor: Victor Hugo
Style: Technique Collection, System Based
Best for: All Levels
Format: Both
Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Legal and lethal
Techniques: Toe Hold, Kneebar, Ankle Lock
- Forging The Guard: Foundations of Ashi Garami by Giancarlo Bodoni – Add foundations and control frameworks.
- Leglocks 101 by Charles Harriott – IBJJF-friendly starter before specialization.
- Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher – If you later add heel hook frameworks.
You learn IBJJF-legal finishes with structure. You get transitions that work for bigger athletes. You will not get heel hook-heavy content.
✅ Pros
- Legal framework that still submits opponents.
- Good fit for heavier athletes and gi use.
- Clarifies 50/50 options without heel hooks.
⚠️ Cons
- Not ideal for sub-only heel hook meta.
- Less conceptual architecture than megasets.
- Production does not include long rolling footage.
💡 I recommend Hugo to IBJJF competitors who still want a serious leg threat without heel hooks. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #9 Leglocks 101 by Charles Harriott
Instructor: Charles Harriott
Style: Conceptual, System Based, Drill Heavy
Best for: Beginner
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Biggest takeaway: Safety and structure
Techniques: Ankle Lock, Entries, Positional Safety
- The Modern Leg Lock Manual by Victor Hugo – Add IBJJF-focused finishes after basics.
- Dynamic Ankle Locks by Jason Rau – Sharpen the highest legal submission early.
- Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher – Graduate to a full conceptual framework.
You learn safe entries and IBJJF-legal finishes. You get a clear base to add heel hooks later. You will not get advanced inside heel hook systems here.
✅ Pros
- Best budget starting point with safety focus.
- Drills make class integration easy.
- Prevents bad habits before advanced sets.
⚠️ Cons
- Advanced heel hook content is minimal.
- Less exciting for experienced players.
- Production is simple versus megasets.
💡 I use this for white and blue belts to build safe leg habits before 50/50 and saddle. Recommendation: Wait for daily deal.
🥋 #10 Under Pressure: Leg Entanglements by Brian Glick
Instructor: Brian Glick
Style: Conceptual, System Based
Best for: Intermediate
Format: No-Gi
Runtime: 7 hours
Biggest takeaway: Stay calm under pressure
Techniques: Pressure Escapes, Late Stage Defense, Counter Attacks
- Get Off My Legs Gringo by Craig Jones – Defense-centric with extensive escape detail.
- Leg Lock Defense: Survive And Escape by Giancarlo Bodoni – Concise defensive frameworks from ADCC champ.
- Leglocks: Enter The System by John Danaher – Understanding offense clarifies defensive priorities.
You learn to survive and re-attack under heavy pressure. You get frameworks for late-stage problems. You will not get community-unanimous praise or exhaustive defense breadth.
✅ Pros
- Addresses under-taught late-stage problems.
- Combines defense with counter-attacks.
- Methodical explanations suit analytical learners.
⚠️ Cons
- Mixed reception; alternatives may suit better.
- Less comprehensive than some defense megasets.
- Pricey without a sale.
💡 I treat this as a niche supplement for stubborn stack and clamp scenarios inside entanglements. Recommendation: Skip.
IBJJF Leg Lock Legality in 2025: What Matters for Your Training
For brown and black belts in IBJJF no-gi, heel hooks and reaping have been legal since January 1, 2021. They remain illegal in the gi, so plan your study path accordingly. If you compete IBJJF in the gi, prioritize ankle locks, toe holds, kneebars, and 50/50 options that avoid twisting the knee. If you compete no-gi IBJJF at advanced levels, you should still build a safe heel hook system and know how to escape them. For sub-only events with liberal rules, a complete ashi game including inside heel hooks is essential.
Ashi Garami 101: Key Positions You Should Name and Train
The core map includes outside ashi, cross ashi, 50/50 and backside 50/50, plus saddle. Learn how each controls the knee line and which finishes are legal for your rule set. Backside 50/50 offers strong breaking mechanics with improved control, while cross ashi frequently appears off common entries. Name the position first, then apply your finish hierarchy and safety cues.
Starter Reading on Leg Locks and Safety
If you are new to heel hooks, start with a safety-first resource and pair offense with defense. Practice slow, verbal taps and partner awareness. Build ankle lock and IBJJF-legal finishes, then layer saddle and backside 50/50 with careful resistance. Consistency and control matter more than novelty for long-term progress.
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