Leg Locks
Entanglements that hold a leg still, and the locks finished from them.
What the rule books allow
Whether a leg lock is legal depends on the organisation, the competitor's belt and age, and whether the match is gi or no-gi. Two rule books, as published on the date below:
- IBJJF: heel hooks, locks that twist the knee and knee reaping are illegal in every division except adult brown and black belt no-gi. In the gi they are illegal at every belt. Source 1
- IBJJF: kneebars, toe holds and calf slicers are illegal for every competitor under 18, for adult white belts and for blue and purple belts. Brown and black belts may use them, gi and no-gi. Source 1
- IBJJF: the straight foot lock is illegal up to age 15 and legal from 16, at every belt, gi and no-gi. Turning toward the foot that is not under attack while applying it is illegal up to purple belt. Source 1
- ADCC: the professional divisions allow any leg lock or ankle lock. Source 2
- ADCC: the advanced, intermediate and masters divisions bar heel hooks and any foot lock that twists the knee. Beginner and kids divisions also bar toe holds, kneebars and calf pressure locks. Source 3
Other organisations and many local events write their own rules, and rule books are revised. Read the current rules for the event you are entering before you train for it.
Sources, read
- IBJJF Rules Book, June 2024 (version 6.1) (opens in a new tab)p. 29, Table: Technical Fouls – Illegal Moves; knee reaping defined on p. 32
- ADCC Rules & Regulations (opens in a new tab)Legal Techniques
- ADCC Rules for Beginners & Intermediate (opens in a new tab)Illegal Techniques table, and the division notes beneath it
Reading connected to this area
Journal
- Guard retention as a system
Retention is usually taught as a list of recoveries, which describes what a held guard looks like from outside without saying what is being held.
- How no-gi rulesets reshaped technique selection
Read the IBJJF and ADCC rule books side by side and they stop looking like safety regulations and start looking like two different price lists for the same actions.