Virtually every style of submission grappling, no matter its geographic location or historical development, employs leg locks. These styles of submission grappling include Brazilian jiujitsu, sambo, catch wrestling and judo. In many cases, practitioners of these styles tend to neglect leg-lock defense -- a hole that savvy grapplers may be able to exploit.
Achilles Lock
The Achilles lock, sometimes called a straight ankle lock, is designed to place pressure on both the front of the ankle and back of the Achilles tendon at the same time. The top of your opponent's foot should be wedged under your armpit, with the bone of your forearm underneath his ankle. Lock your hands together, then lean back to complete the lock. According to Stephan Kesting, a high-level Brazilian jiujitsu black belt and coach, you should pinch your knees together tightly on your opponent's leg to make the Achilles lock more effective.
Heel Hook
The heel hook is unique in that it is not particularly painful when first applied. Not tapping would be a mistake, however, since continued pressure can lead to a dislocated knee and surgery. Begin with your opponent's foot under your right arm, in a similar position to that used for an Achilles lock. Instead of leaning back to finish, however, reach your right arm under your opponent's heel, then lock your hands over the top of your opponent's shin. According to Cesar Gracie, another high-level Brazilian jiujitsu practitioner, this allows you to rotate to your left, using your opponent's heel for leverage to attack his knee.
Toehold
The principle of using the foot for leverage to attack the knee applies to the toehold, as well, but the grip is different. Begin with your opponent's foot under your right armpit. Push the top of his foot down with your right hand, then wrap your left arm under your opponent's ankle until you can grip your right forearm with your left hand. You will secure the lock better by triangling your legs around your opponent's leg, instead of simply pinching your knees together. To finish, bend your opponent's leg at the knee and twist his lower leg until he taps.
Kneebar
Many different setups can be used to secure a kneebar position. Whatever setup is used, you should secure your opponent's knee to your chest with his leg straight. Pinch your knees on either side of his leg, hug his arm to your chest and lean back while extending your hips to hyperextend his knee. To make the lock even tighter, wrap your arm all the way around the leg, trapping it under your armpit, instead of simply hugging it to your chest.
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