Heel Hook

The heel hook is an advanced and potentially very dangerous leg lock that targets both the knee and ankle joints. It requires complete focus and control to avoid causing serious injury. To apply a heel hook, secure a tight grip on the opponent's leg, isolating the ankle area. This includes controlling and gripping the foot/heel. Once the grip is firm, apply a rotational motion while using your body and limbs to pressure the ankle and knee. This can tear supporting ligaments around the knee, making it a very effective but risky submission. The heel hook is a powerful tool for preventing leg escapes and initiating quick submissions, but it should be practiced with extreme care. Due to it's controversial nature and frequent injuries the heel hook is often excluded from beginner instruction or even competitions at lower levels. The heel hook has gained much popularity in recent years, particularly as a submission in the no-gi format.