With two days left until the local competition, our coach decided to review the straight ankle lock and focus on a few details so we can finish as well as defend the straight ankle lock.

We start from the Ashi Garami position (which is one of the leg entanglement variations, focusing on pinching your opponent’s leg instead of the normal Ashi position). From the Ashi position, with your outside leg on their hips, connect the outside leg’s heel with your other leg’s knee, ensuring it’s high and tight so your opponent can’t push your knee down and move into mount. Once you are able to sweep them, go for the straight ankle lock. With an overhook on their heel, get the shotgun or elbow-to-elbow grip, controlling their ankle. Place their heel on your ribs so their toes point away from your body (ensure the heel isn’t too deep, as this is not a heel hook or the Aoki).

Note that when making the shotgun grip, use your inside hand’s palm to push their shin (like a face palm or slap), and with the overhook hand, grip their forearm—not the wrist—making the shotgun grip tight and strong.

From there, fall to the side where their toes are pointing (fall to the outside). To finish, put your shoulder and head on the mat, close the gap between your butt and their other leg (scoot in closer), and bridge up with your hip. You should get the tap there; if not, you can belly down for even greater control and a stronger submission.

Meanwhile, pay attention to your foot and leg placement, prioritizing control over submission. Ensure your outside foot is placed tightly on their hip and squeeze your knees together.

What If They Make a Boot as a Defense from the Straight Ankle Lock?

Curl your shoulder to push their toes down, and adjust your grip and position so they cannot make the boot again.

When Should You Let Go of the Straight Ankle Lock?

Let go once their toes rotate inward toward your body or when their foot is flat on the mat. You should either change to a different submission or adjust to a different position.