Danaher Leg Lock System

Submission Chain Advanced difficulty

What is Danaher Leg Lock System?

A leg entry is useful only if you can retain control when your partner moves.

A leg entry is useful only if you can retain control when your partner moves. This guide organizes ashi garami around inside position, knee-line retention and transitions between entanglements. The aim is to recognize when to hold, adjust or disengage before attempting a submission.

Use the implementation sequence to choose a training focus, the connected techniques to study each position, and the course recommendation to explore a detailed video explanation. This is BJJGraph’s study guide; it is not an official course outline or a substitute for coached practice.

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Leglocks: Enter The System

with John Danaher

Who it suits: No-gi students who want to understand control before adding more leg-lock entries.

Connects inside position, ashi garami entries, knee-line control and leg attacks in a structured curriculum.

View course & syllabus on BJJ Fanatics →

Core Principles

• Control Before Submission - Retain the entanglement before adding finishing pressure
• Recognize the Position - Distinguish standard ashi, outside ashi and 50/50
• Knee-Line Retention - Understand when the opponent can withdraw the knee
• Manage Rotation - Recognize how movement changes the available controls
• Build One Entry - Connect a familiar guard to a position you can maintain
• Train Defense Alongside Attack - Recognize early escape opportunities with your coach
• Use Controlled Practice - Reset when control is lost and release immediately on a tap

Key Components

Leg Entanglements and Control (Establish clear positional objectives and advancement pathways in leg entanglements) Ashi garami describes a family of leg entanglements. Standard ashi, outside ashi and 50/50 have different control problems; 50/50 is not another name for outside ashi. Inside sankaku is also commonly called the saddle or honey hole, rather than being a separate step above them. Choose transitions based on knee-line control, rotation and the opponent’s available defenses.

Entry and Passing Integration (Create reliable pathways from common positions to leg entanglement control) Systematic entries to leg entanglements are established through guard passing sequences, X-guard transitions, and seated guard engagements. The system teaches specific pathways from common positions like single leg X-guard, de la riva guard, and headquarters position into various ashi-garami configurations. This integration ensures practitioners can reliably access leg entanglements rather than waiting for opportunistic moments.

Submission Setup and Controlled Practice (Connect positional control to supervised submission practice) Finishing details depend on the submission and entanglement. Study them with a qualified coach after positional control is established. Retain the opponent’s knee line during the setup, avoid uncontrolled rotation, and release immediately on a tap.

Transition Pathways (Enable dynamic position advancement and attack angle variation within leg entanglements) The system includes comprehensive transition sequences between different ashi-garami positions, allowing practitioners to advance the hierarchy when opponents defend or to switch attack angles when direct finishing is blocked. Key transitions include outside ashi to standard ashi, standard ashi to inside ashi, cross ashi entries, and the critical advancement to saddle position. Understanding these pathways prevents stagnation and enables systematic position improvement.

Implementation Sequence

1. Conceptual Foundation: Understand the positional hierarchy of ashi-garami variations and the fundamental principle of position-before-submission in leg entanglements Key points:

• Study the spectrum from outside ashi to inside sankaku
• Recognize control indicators for each position
• Understand mechanical advantages of each configuration
• Learn to assess position quality before attempting submissions

2. Entry Development: Develop reliable entries to standard ashi-garami from common guard positions and passing sequences Key points:

• Master single leg X to ashi-garami transition
• Develop seated guard pull to ashi-garami entry
• Learn leg weave pass counters into ashi positions
• Practice headquarters position entries to outside ashi

3. Control Establishment: Learn to establish and maintain control in standard ashi-garami position, focusing on inside heel exposure prevention and hip control Key points:

• Perfect near leg trap with figure-four or straight configuration
• Establish far leg control with cross-body positioning
• Maintain hip-to-hip connection to prevent escape
• Control opponent’s upper body to limit defensive frames

4. Breaking Sequences: Study the finishing setup for one submission with your coach after you can retain the position. Key points:

• Distinguish knee-line retention from the defender’s escape goal
• Use cooperative practice before resistance
• Release immediately on a tap and reset when control is lost

5. Hierarchical Advancement: Master transitions between ashi-garami positions to advance control hierarchy when opponents defend effectively Key points:

• Learn outside ashi to standard ashi advancement
• Practice standard ashi to inside ashi transition
• Master entry to saddle/honey hole position
• Develop cross ashi-garami as alternative attack angle

6. Finishing Mechanics: Perfect submission finishes from dominant positions with emphasis on control maintenance during finish Key points:

• Master inside heel hook from saddle position
• Develop outside heel hook from standard ashi
• Learn toe hold variations from all ashi positions
• Practice straight ankle lock as position-maintenance tool

7. Defensive Integration: Understand defensive priorities and escape sequences to pressure-test the system and recognize vulnerabilities Key points:

• Learn inside heel exposure defense as primary priority
• Practice hip escape fundamentals from ashi positions
• Understand safe rolling directions for each configuration
• Develop sensitivity for recognizing submission danger levels

8. Systematic Competition Application: Integrate complete system into live training and competition with strategic decision-making frameworks Key points:

• Develop game plans centered on leg entanglement entries
• Practice position recognition and advancement under resistance
• Build submission attempt timing based on position quality
• Integrate with upper body attacks for complete offensive system

Where to begin in the instructional

Start with the inside-position and knee-line sections before studying the entry variations.

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What Challenges Will You Face?

• Chasing a finish before controlling the position: Start rounds with positional retention as the goal. Ask your partner to withdraw the knee, and reset when they escape rather than holding a finishing grip through uncontrolled movement.
• Entry Difficulty - Practitioners struggle to reliably enter ashi-garami positions against aware opponents: Develop systematic entry sequences from common positions rather than isolated techniques. Focus on single leg X-guard as primary gateway position, practice seated guard pulls with immediate leg entanglement, and integrate ashi entries into existing guard passing sequences to create multiple pathways.
• Treating every entanglement as a fixed step on a ladder: Study the control problem in the position you have. Outside ashi and 50/50 can have useful attacks; a transition is a choice based on the opponent’s defense, not a requirement to reach a single ideal position.
• Defense Ignorance - Lack of understanding defensive priorities leads to dangerous training situations and injury risk: Mandate comprehensive defensive instruction parallel to offensive system development. Ensure all practitioners understand inside heel exposure defense, safe rolling directions, and tap-early protocols. Establish training culture that prioritizes long-term safety over short-term submission success.
• Confusing attacking control with defensive escape: The attacker generally wants to retain the opponent’s knee line, while the defender seeks to free it. Ask your coach to distinguish those roles before practising the details of an individual submission.

How to Measure Your Progress

Entry Success Rate: Measure ability to reliably establish ashi-garami positions from common starting points Proficiency indicators:

• Can repeat the entry while keeping the knee line controlled as resistance increases
• Successfully transitions from seated guard to leg entanglement against resistance
• Recognizes and capitalizes on ashi-garami opportunities during guard passing sequences
• Establishes leg entanglement control within 30 seconds of engagement in training

Positional Hierarchy Recognition: Ability to accurately assess position quality and make appropriate advancement decisions Proficiency indicators:

• Correctly identifies current ashi-garami position under pressure
• Recognizes when control is insufficient for finishing attempt
• Chooses appropriate transition to advance position hierarchy
• Understands control differences between outside/standard/inside ashi configurations

Breaking Mechanics Precision: Technical execution of systematic leg straightening and bite point achievement Proficiency indicators:

• Successfully clears inside heel exposure defense without losing position
• Achieves full leg extension while maintaining ashi-garami control
• Recognizes optimal bite point before applying finishing pressure
• Maintains control during breaking sequences without creating escape opportunities

Control During Submission Setup: Assess whether the setup preserves position and allows controlled practice Proficiency indicators:

• Retains the knee line while setting the grip
• Recognizes loss of control and resets
• Releases immediately on a tap

Defensive Competency: Understanding and application of proper defensive priorities in leg entanglements Proficiency indicators:

• Maintains inside heel exposure defense automatically under pressure
• Recognizes dangerous positions and taps appropriately to avoid injury
• Successfully escapes from outside ashi and 50-50 positions regularly
• Understands safe rolling directions for each ashi-garami configuration

How to Train This System Effectively

Drilling Approach

The Danaher Leg Lock System requires progressive, systematic drilling that builds from isolated mechanics to integrated sequences. Begin with positional drilling focusing on establishing and maintaining control in each ashi-garami position without submission attempts. Progress to transition drilling between positions, emphasizing smooth advancement through the hierarchy. Only after control and transition mechanics are solid should breaking sequences be introduced, initially with compliant partners and gradually increasing resistance. Finishing mechanics are practiced last, always emphasizing control maintenance over explosive submission attempts. Defensive drilling must be trained in parallel, ensuring all participants understand inside heel exposure defense and safe escape protocols before attempting advanced positions.

Progression Path

Foundation Phase (Months 1-2) (Focus: Conceptual understanding, basic entries, standard ashi-garami control establishment) - 8-10 weeks of focused study Transition Development (Months 3-4) (Focus: Movement between ashi-garami positions, hierarchy advancement, defensive fundamentals) - 8-10 weeks with positional sparring emphasis Breaking Mechanics (Months 5-6) (Focus: Systematic leg straightening, bite point achievement, submission setup without finishing) - 8-10 weeks of controlled breaking practice Finishing Integration (Months 7-9) (Focus: Complete submission sequences from position establishment through finish) - 12 weeks integrating all previous phases Competition Application (Months 10-12) (Focus: Strategic implementation, entry timing, position recognition under resistance) - 12 weeks of competition-level training Mastery and Refinement (12+ months) (Focus: System customization, advanced variations, teaching ability development) - Ongoing lifetime development

Common Mistakes

• Chasing a submission after losing the knee line
• Treating 50/50 and outside ashi as the same position
• Treating the saddle and inside sankaku as separate steps in a fixed hierarchy
• Adding resistance before understanding the position
• Using speed or force to compensate for lost control

Which Positions, Transitions, and Principles Connect to This System?

• Ashi Garami (Position) - Primary position family for entire system - all techniques built from ashi-garami configurations
• Inside Ashi-Garami (Position) - High-control position within system offering dominant heel hook access
• Honey Hole (Position) - Common name for the inside sankaku entanglement
• Outside Ashi-Garami (Position) - Leg entanglement with specific rotation and knee-line control requirements
• 50-50 Guard (Position) - Distinct shared leg entanglement with its own attacking and defensive choices
• Single Leg X-Guard (Position) - Primary gateway position for entries to ashi-garami family
• Inside Sankaku (Position) - Crossed-leg entanglement also commonly called the saddle or honey hole
• De La Riva Guard (Position) - Entry position for transitions to ashi-garami configurations
• Headquarters Position (Position) - Passing position with direct entries to outside ashi-garami
• Seated Guard (Position) - Guard position offering immediate leg entanglement entries
• Saddle (Position) - Common name for the inside sankaku entanglement
• Cross Ashi-Garami (Position) - Alternative attack angle for switching between ashi-garami configurations
• Ushiro Ashi-Garami (Position) - Back-facing ashi variation offering unique submission angles
• Straight Ankle Lock Control (Position) - Control maintenance position used throughout ashi-garami transitions
• Kneebar Control (Position) - Alternative lower body control accessible from ashi-garami positions
• Inside Heel Hook (Submission) - Primary finish from saddle/honey hole and inside ashi positions
• Outside Heel Hook (Submission) - Alternative finish from standard and outside ashi-garami positions
• Straight Ankle Lock (Submission) - Control maintenance tool and alternative finish from all ashi positions
• Toe Hold (Submission) - Secondary attack option from ashi-garami positions when heel hook is defended
• Kneebar (Submission) - Alternative lower body finish accessible from ashi-garami transitions
• Heel Hook (Submission) - Primary submission family for entire system with multiple variations
• Inside Heel Hook from Honey Hole (Submission) - Signature finish from maximum control position in the ashi-garami hierarchy
• Achilles Lock (Submission) - Fundamental ankle submission serving as positional control tool and alternative finish from all ashi-garami configurations
• Flying Kneebar (Submission) - Dynamic kneebar entry demonstrating explosive leg attack integration with the positional hierarchy
• X-Guard to Ashi Garami (Transition) - Critical entry pathway from X-guard positions to leg entanglements
• Inside Ashi Entry (Transition) - Core technique for establishing inside ashi-garami position
• Saddle Entry from Top (Transition) - Advanced entry to maximum control position from passing situations
• Ashi Garami Escape (Transition) - Defensive sequences that inform offensive control maintenance strategies
• Outside Ashi Entry (Transition) - Entry technique for establishing outside ashi-garami from standing or passing
• Leg Entanglement (Principle) - Fundamental principle underlying all ashi-garami control concepts

Take one idea into your next session

With your coach, choose one entry and practise retaining the position while your partner works to free the knee. Reset before applying submission pressure.

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