Tips for an Achilles Leg Lock

The Achilles leg lock has its roots in judo and ju-jitsu. It was once a very common submission maneuver due to its effectiveness. This lock was banned in judo competitions and generally thought to be crude and dishonorable. Recently the Achilles leg lock has made a comeback as it has become very popular during the last few years in the mixed martial arts world.

  1. Mechanics Behind the Achilles Leg Lock

    • The Achilles leg lock overextends the opponent's foot and compresses the Achilles tendon delivering two points of pressure. The first point of pressure is the hyper-extension of the opponent's foot. As part of the move, the toes of the victim's foot are pushed forcefully away from their shin. This stretches the muscles in the foot and causes sharp pain. The second point of pressure is the Achilles tendon as your forearm presses into their tendon causing extreme pain.

    Fist In Palm Grip Techniques

    • Applying the proper grip is important so that pressure is applied effectively and the opponent's foot is locked in place and unable to escape. There is more than one method to apply the grip. One effective method involves you holding the lock in place by grabbing the fist of your locking arm with your free hand. This is done by wrapping your left arm around your opponent's right ankle then grabbing your left fist with your right arm. You would then position your arm so that you are digging into your opponent's Achilles tendon just above the heel with either your wrist or your forearm.

    Figure Four Grip

    • One of the most common grips is the figure four grip. This grip applies somewhat less pressure than other grips because the top of your forearm is what digs into the Achilles tendon rather than a sharper surface like the edge of your wrist. The figure four gives you more control, however. To perform this grip, wrap your left arm around the opponent's right ankle and grab the shin with your right hand. Then grab your right wrist with your left hand to complete the lock. Lean back to apply pressure on the foot.

    Leg Positioning

    • When performing an Achilles leg lock it is important to use your legs to help secure your lock and maximize its effect. The position of your legs will vary depending on the position of your opponent. If your opponent is lying on his back, you right foot should be under the thigh of the leg you are locking. Your left leg should wrap around his leg and push against his stomach. If the opponent is on his side, you will wrap up his leg with both of yours. If your opponent is lying on his stomach, then you will straddle his thigh and bend his lower leg up before placing his foot in a lock.