Getting to the 50/50 Following a Failed Kneebar

Following a Failed Submission with A Successful One

This post continues a theme from the previous two: finishing a submission after giving up another one. In the last couple, we showed you how to get an arm triangle choke, a kimura, and an armbar after a rear naked choke failed to make itself available to you.

This time, we cover how to get back to the 50/50 guard after giving up on a less-than-perfect kneebar. From that position (pictured below), you have access to a few other leglocks, including the achilles and the heel hook.

The trick with this transition is really to lock up a new leglock as fast as you can. Remember, you’re taking the initiative to get back to the 50/50, so you’ll probably have an extra split second to get your leglock before your opponent can get one of his own.

Video: Transition from a Kneebar to the 50/50 Guard

In the following video clip, Coach/Competitor Dan Faggella, chief leg-lock wizard at Black Diamond MMA, demonstrates the technique Nate Chubay, who also has valuable insights on the world of leglocks. Following the video, we’ll have the step-by-step breakdown on getting back to the 50/50 position.

BDMMA Technique Breakdown: Getting Back to the 50/50

In this scenario, you’ve attempted a kneebar and, for whatever reason, you can tell it won’t work out. Here’s how Coach Dan pulls off that transition back to the 50/50:

1. Shift from one hip to the other.
1. If, like Coach Dan, you’re on your left side, you’ll shift your weight abruptly so that your right hip is on the mat and you’re facing your opponent.
2. Change the orientation of your knees.
1. Your right knee, which was originally pointed down (relative to your opponent) will point up towards your opponent’s head.
2. Your formerly-bottom (left) knee will lock over your right foot and point towards the ceiling.
3. This is what Coach Dan calls “almost like the traditional inverted heel-hook position.”
3. Reposition your legs
1. Cut your left foot out between your opponent’s legs and down past your opponent’s left hip.
2. Lock your left foot behind your right knee. This is to prevent your opponent from attempting his own leglock on you.
4. Choose your leglock and go for the submission. 
1. Heel hook and Achilles recaps are below. Check the original tutorials for more detail. 

The Heel Hook

1.  Trap your opponent’s toes in your left armpit. Do this as you’re transition to the 50/50 so that you’re that much closer to the sub.
2. Hook your left forearm under his heel, so that your wrist is against the back of his ankle.
3. With your right (top-side) hand, grab your left hand, making sure to keep your right elbow wound over the top of your opponent’s shin.
4. Squeeze his heel to your chest and keep it locked there.
5. Make sure to maintain a tight grip – knees pinched, tension wound into his ankle joint, and heel locked squarely against your chest.
6. Twist at the waist towards your right elbow.
7. Get the tap.

 The Achilles

1. Again, quickly trap your opponent’s toes in your left armpit.
2. Make sure your knees are pointed the same way as your opponent’s.
3. Hook your left arm under your opponent’s ankle, getting your bicep and forearm as snug to the ankle as you can.
4. Brace your right hand on your left forearm and your left hand on your opponent’s trapped shin.
5. Kicking off your opponent’s hip, extend backwards and get the tap.

Here’s how those two submissions look:

Comments

comments