A deep review of Lachlan Giles’ legendary 50/50 leg lock system, built from the same inside heel hooks he used to submit three heavyweights at ADCC 2019.
Last updated: March 2026
Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles
The complete 50/50 heel hook system from the man who heel-hooked three heavyweights as a 77kg competitor at ADCC 2019.
- ⏰ 12 hours 18 minutes
- 📅 Released October 2019
- 🎯 Lachlan Giles
- 🥋 No-gi
- 🏆 8 volumes
- 💰 $147
Product Details
| Full Title | Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50 by Lachlan Giles |
| Instructor | Lachlan Giles (black belt under John Simon, PhD in Physiotherapy) |
| Runtime | 12 hours 18 minutes across 8 volumes (~90 min per volume) |
| Volumes | 8 (3 chapters spanning 7 instructional volumes + 1 competition footage volume) |
| Release Date | October 2019 (one month after ADCC 2019) |
| Price | $147 retail (use code LACHLAN10 for 10% off; regularly on sale during BJJ Fanatics promos) |
| Format | No-gi |
| Focus | Inside heel hooks from 50/50 exclusively |
| Where to Buy | BJJ Fanatics |
ADCC 2019: The Giant Slayer Performance
This instructional was released one month after Giles’ legendary ADCC 2019 absolute division run. Competing at 77kg, he entered the open-weight bracket and heel-hooked three heavyweights in succession:
Round 1: Submitted Kaynan Duarte (the +99kg champion who had just beaten Buchecha) with an inside heel hook.
Round 2: Submitted Patrick Gaudio (another heavyweight favorite) with an inside heel hook.
Bronze match: Immediately sat to guard against Mahamed Aly, hunted the heel hook, and submitted him. First Australian to medal in the ADCC absolute division.
Every finish came from inside heel hooks via 50/50 and K Guard entries. The Leg Lock Anthology teaches the exact system he used.
What This Instructional Covers
The Leg Lock Anthology is a complete 50/50 position system focused exclusively on inside heel hooks. Unlike Danaher’s Leglocks: Enter the System, which covers the entire leg lock game (Ashi Garami, saddle, outside heel hooks, kneebars), Lachlan narrows his scope to one position and goes absurdly deep on it.
The instructional is organized into three chapters. Chapter 1 (Volumes 1-2) covers foundational concepts: keeping and reclaiming the knee line, controlling rotation, heel hook finishing mechanics informed by Lachlan’s physiotherapy PhD, and defensive counters. Chapter 2 (Volumes 3-4) dives into 50/50 and outside Sankaku attacks, sweeps, and back takes. Chapter 3 (Volumes 5-7) is the massive entries section, covering how to reach 50/50 from butterfly guard, shin-to-shin, single X, K Guard, De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, inversions, and top positions.
Volume 8 features narrated rolling sessions and ADCC 2019 match breakdowns. Lachlan was among the first instructors to include narrated rolls, where he analyzes decisions in real time and shows students performing techniques with live corrections.
Volume-by-Volume Breakdown
Volume 1: Basic Concepts and Heel Hook Mechanics
Lachlan opens with his nomenclature for leg entanglement positions, then immediately gets into the core principles: keeping the knee line, reclaiming the knee line when you lose it, and controlling your opponent’s rotation. The heel hook finishing mechanics section is where his physiotherapy PhD shines. He explains exactly why straightening the leg hurts the knee and how to generate maximum breaking pressure with minimal effort. Redditors have specifically praised this section for clarifying finish details they’d never understood before.
Volume 2: Counter-Defense and Position Variations
This volume covers what to do when your opponent defends early versus late, and how to beat each type of defense. Lachlan then breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of different leg lock positions: 50/50, 80/20, and outside Sankaku. He explains when each position is optimal and introduces leg unlocking techniques for cracking open a locked-up 50/50.
Volume 3: 50/50 Attacks and Outside Sankaku
The primary attacking volume. Covers staying safe in seated 50/50, keeping the position under pressure, upgrading from 50/50 to outside Sankaku through multiple methods, and leg unlocking mechanics. Also includes non-heel hook attacks from 50/50 (sweeps, back takes), “double trouble” sequences, and heel exposure techniques for when your opponent hides the heel.
Volume 4: Standing Opponent, Sweeps, and Back Takes
Addresses the common problem of your opponent standing up in 50/50. Lachlan covers reclaiming the knee line against a standing opponent, distal control sequences, heel hook options when they’re on their feet, and sweeps that chain into back takes from 50/50. This volume also includes non-leg locking submissions and disengagement techniques for when the position stalls.
Volume 5: Counter Leg Locking and Entry Fundamentals
The entries section begins with counter leg locking concepts and safety considerations for saddle and reaping positions. Lachlan shows how to convert traditional Ashi Garami positions into 50/50 and outside Sankaku, and covers fundamental entries from bottom positions.
Volume 6: K Guard, DLR, and Standing Entries
The densest volume for guard players. Covers entries from butterfly/seated guard, shin-to-shin, single X, outside positioning, K Guard, and De La Riva. The K Guard entries are what Lachlan famously used at ADCC 2019 to reach 50/50 against much larger opponents. Also includes entry drills for building muscle memory.
Volume 7: RDLR, Inversions, and Top Entries
Completes the entries section with Reverse De La Riva entries, inversion-based entries, and entries from top position (leg drag passes to leg locks, backstepping entries). Finishes with drilling sequences that tie the entire system together.
Volume 8: Competition Footage and Narrated Rolling
Five narrated rolling sessions where Lachlan provides real-time commentary on his decision-making, plus complete ADCC 2019 match narrations with technical breakdowns. He analyzes exactly what he saw, what he chose, and why. This volume also shows students performing the techniques with Lachlan giving live corrections, which helps identify common mistakes.
What Makes This Instructional Stand Out
- Physiotherapy-informed finishing details. Lachlan holds a PhD in Physiotherapy with research focused on knee injuries. His heel hook mechanics go beyond “grip and twist” into actual knee anatomy. He explains why specific angles create breaking pressure and how to adjust your finish based on how your opponent’s leg is oriented. No other leg lock instructor brings this level of anatomical understanding.
- Entries from every guard position. Volumes 5-7 cover entries from butterfly, shin-to-shin, single X, K Guard, De La Riva, Reverse De La Riva, inversions, and top positions. No matter what guard you play, there’s a pathway into 50/50.
- Troubleshooting sections throughout. Each volume addresses “what if they spin out?”, “what if they lock their legs?”, “what if they stand up?” The Grappling Conjecture praised this as problem-solving that covers the common counters most instructionals ignore.
- Narrated rolling format. Lachlan was among the first instructors to include narrated rolls with live commentary. This bridges the gap between learning techniques in isolation and applying them in live sparring.
- ADCC-proven system. This isn’t theoretical. Every technique in this instructional was validated at the highest level of no-gi competition when Lachlan heel-hooked three heavyweights in the ADCC absolute division.
- More concise than Danaher. Reddit users consistently note that Lachlan communicates concepts more directly than John Danaher. One blue belt observed that Lachlan explains things in clearer terms and stays more focused on practical application.
What Reviewers Say
“Delivers, and in more ways than one. The innovative format with narrated rolls and troubleshooting sections sets it apart from the standard instructional.”
BJJ World (Ognen Dzabirski)“The structure of the instructional is what sets it apart. Other content-creators should be paying attention.”
FightingFit Jiujitsu“One of the best instructionals ever made. Contains information that isn’t available on the internet or any other instructional.”
The Grappling Conjecture“Absolutely superb detail and explanations. Great structure and editing, easy to navigate and review.”
r/bjj community“Specific finish cues clarified why straightening the leg hurts the knee. I was amazed at how much I didn’t know about digging for heels.”
r/bjj community“Lachlan puts things in layman’s terms better than Danaher and is more to the point.”
r/bjj community (blue belt comparing to Danaher ETS)Strengths and Weaknesses
What’s Great
- PhD-level heel hook finishing details informed by actual knee injury research
- Entries from every major guard position (butterfly, DLR, RDLR, K Guard, shin-to-shin, single X, inversions, top)
- Troubleshooting sections address common defenses like spinning out, locking legs, and standing up
- Narrated rolling with ADCC 2019 match breakdowns shows real-time decision-making
- More concise and direct than Danaher’s Leglocks: Enter the System
- ADCC-validated against elite competition at the highest weight classes
- $147 retail is cheaper than Danaher’s ETS ($197+ at retail)
What’s Weak
- 12+ hours is a significant time commitment. Craig Jones covers leg lock finishing in roughly 3 hours with Systematic Submission Dilemmas.
- Exclusively covers 50/50. If you want Ashi Garami, saddle, or kneebar systems, you need Danaher’s Enter the System or a separate instructional.
- Dense material that can overwhelm beginners. Multiple reviewers note you’ll feel lost by Volume 2 without prior leg lock reps.
- K Guard entries have become more predictable since 2019 as the meta evolved, though the underlying DLR and RDLR connections remain solid.
- Lachlan’s own Submeta platform (50/50 and 70/30 Bottom, K Guard series) offers updated content for $25/month that overlaps with Volumes 5-7’s entries.
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy the Leg Lock Anthology if you…
- Want a complete, systematic 50/50 inside heel hook game from entries to finishes
- Are a blue belt or above with some existing leg lock experience
- Compete in no-gi, ADCC rules, or sub-only formats
- Play any form of open guard (DLR, RDLR, butterfly, K Guard) and want leg lock entries from it
- Want to understand the anatomy behind heel hook mechanics, not just “grip and twist”
- Prefer a more concise instructor than John Danaher
- Already own Danaher’s ETS and want deeper 50/50 coverage
Skip the Leg Lock Anthology if you…
- Are a white belt with no leg lock experience (start with free Lachlan YouTube content first)
- Want a complete leg lock system covering saddle, Ashi Garami, kneebars, and ankle locks (get Danaher’s Enter the System instead)
- Only have a few hours to study and want a focused finishing guide (try Craig Jones’ Systematic Submission Dilemmas)
- Primarily train in the gi (this is entirely no-gi focused)
- Already subscribe to Lachlan’s Submeta and have studied his 50/50 and K Guard courses there
How It Compares to Other Leg Lock Instructionals
| Instructional | Focus | Runtime | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leg Lock Anthology (Lachlan Giles) | 50/50 inside heel hooks | 12h 18m | Deep 50/50 specialists who want entries from every guard |
| Leglocks: Enter the System (Danaher) | Complete leg lock system | ~12h | Beginners wanting a comprehensive conceptual framework |
| Down Under Leg Attacks (Craig Jones) | Practical leg lock attacks | ~4h | Intermediate grapplers who want concise, humor-driven instruction |
| Systematic Submission Dilemmas (Craig Jones) | Leg lock finishing mechanics | ~3h | Anyone struggling to finish heel hooks and kneebars |
Related Lachlan Giles Instructionals
The Leg Lock Anthology sits at the center of Lachlan’s “Anthology” series. Here’s how his other instructionals connect:
FAQ – Leg Lock Anthology: 50/50
Is the Leg Lock Anthology good for beginners?
Not as a first leg lock resource. The material is dense and assumes you already understand basic leg entanglement positions. Multiple reviewers note that beginners without prior leg lock reps will feel lost by Volume 2. Start with Lachlan’s free YouTube content or Danaher’s Leglocks: Enter the System for a more conceptual introduction, then come back to the Anthology when you have some 50/50 experience.
How does the Leg Lock Anthology compare to Danaher’s Enter the System?
Danaher’s ETS covers the entire leg lock game (Ashi Garami, saddle, outside heel hooks, kneebars, ankle locks) with a more conceptual, verbose teaching style. The Leg Lock Anthology focuses exclusively on 50/50 inside heel hooks but goes much deeper on that one position. Reddit users consistently say Lachlan is more concise and practical while Danaher is more comprehensive but wordier. Many advanced grapplers own both and use Danaher for breadth and Lachlan for 50/50 depth.
What belt level do you need for the Leg Lock Anthology?
Blue belt or above with some existing leg lock experience is the recommended minimum. You don’t need to be an expert, but you should understand basic concepts like the knee line, Ashi Garami positions, and how heel hooks work before starting. White belts should begin with free Lachlan Giles content on YouTube and simpler leg lock introductions first.
Does the Leg Lock Anthology cover kneebars or ankle locks?
No. The instructional focuses exclusively on inside heel hooks from 50/50. Kneebars, outside heel hooks, and ankle locks are not primary content. If you want a complete leg lock system covering all submissions, Danaher’s Leglocks: Enter the System is a better fit. For heel hook finishing specifically, Craig Jones’ Systematic Submission Dilemmas is a focused 3-hour alternative.
Is the Leg Lock Anthology still relevant in 2026?
Yes. The core 50/50 mechanics, heel hook finishing details, and troubleshooting sections are timeless. The K Guard entries (Volume 6) have become more scouted since 2019, but the DLR, RDLR, butterfly, and inversion entries remain fully effective. Lachlan’s Submeta platform offers updated material, but the Anthology remains the most comprehensive single resource for 50/50 inside heel hooks.
How long is the Leg Lock Anthology?
12 hours and 18 minutes across 8 volumes, averaging about 90 minutes per volume. The first 7 volumes are instructional content organized into 3 chapters (concepts, attacks, entries). Volume 8 is competition footage and narrated rolling sessions including ADCC 2019 match breakdowns.
Is the Leg Lock Anthology worth $147?
Yes. At $147 retail it’s cheaper than Danaher’s ETS and you get 12+ hours of the deepest 50/50 coverage available. The ADCC-proven techniques, physiotherapy-informed finishing details, and entries from every guard position make it one of the highest-value leg lock instructionals on BJJ Fanatics. It frequently goes on sale during BJJ Fanatics promotions, and code LACHLAN10 gives 10% off.
Ready to Build a Complete 50/50 System?
Lachlan Giles’ Leg Lock Anthology teaches the exact inside heel hook system that earned him ADCC absolute bronze. 8 volumes, 12+ hours of technique.
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