The Leg Lock Revolution: Why Every Grappler Is Training the Lower Body
Modern Jiu-Jitsu Has a New Frontier: The Legs
If you've trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the past decade, you’ve probably noticed a major shift: leg locks are everywhere.
Once considered fringe or even frowned upon in some circles, leg attacks have become central to modern grappling, especially in no-gi competition. From Ashi Garami to heel hooks, the lower body has become one of the most effective and dynamic areas of attack in high-level jiu-jitsu.
At Movement Art, we take this evolution seriously but we also teach it responsibly.
Why Are Leg Locks So Popular Now?
There are a few big reasons why leg locks have taken over the competitive scene:
1. Submission-Only Rule Sets Encourage Risk and Creativity
Events like ADCC, WNO, and the Craig Jones Invitational reward submission attempts over positional control. That opens the door for techniques that bypass traditional guard-passing routes—leg locks being the most efficient path.
2. IBJJF Rule Changes Opened the Floodgates
Once restricted at most belt levels, heel hooks are now legal in advanced IBJJF no-gi divisions. This has pushed more gyms to incorporate leg locks into their regular curriculum.
3. Instructionals and Systems Made Them Accessible
Grapplers like John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, and others created detailed systems that demystified leg entanglements. Now, what once felt risky or unstructured is being taught with the same precision as guard retention or passing.
So, Should Beginners Train Leg Locks?
Yes but with guidance.
At Movement Art, we believe in building a strong foundation first. But that doesn’t mean ignoring modern developments. Our approach is to introduce leg attacks gradually and intelligently, making sure students understand:
The positional hierarchy (Ashi Garami, Outside vs Inside control)
How to apply techniques safely and avoid injuring partners
How to defend and recognize entries early
The rulesets where different attacks are legal—and where they’re not
By understanding the mechanics and the context, students gain confidence—not just in executing leg locks, but also in defending them effectively.
What You’ll Learn at Movement Art
Whether you train in gi or no-gi, you'll get exposure to the concepts behind:
✅ Straight ankle locks
✅ Knee bars and toe holds
✅ Heel hooks (in no-gi)
✅ Entries from guard, passing, and transitions
✅ How to untangle and counter leg entanglements
We don’t just teach the move, we teach the decision-making behind it.
And because our instructors compete at a high level, you’re learning techniques that are relevant, tested, and safe to drill.
Final Thoughts: Leg Locks Aren’t Optional Anymore
Ignoring the lower body is like training with half the picture. In today’s jiu-jitsu, you need to understand leg attacks to be a complete grappler even if you're not planning to use them every round.
At Movement Art, we’ll help you build that knowledge step-by-step.
Your first class is free. Come train with us and see how modern BJJ is evolving.