{"id":20573,"date":"2023-10-28T06:17:56","date_gmt":"2023-10-28T11:17:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/?p=20573"},"modified":"2023-11-16T07:06:19","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T13:06:19","slug":"toe-hold-bjj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rollingaroundbjj.com\/toe-hold-bjj\/","title":{"rendered":"Toe Hold BJJ Submission (Is It Legal?)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jiu-jitsu allows a smaller person to defeat a larger one, and leg locks represent this principle best. Strength and size differences become much more important when both opponents are of equal skill, but leg locks are the great equalizer. Heel hooks have become the go-to leg locks in no-gi, but a crafty submission also legal in the gi is the toe hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The toe hold is a leg lock attacking the ankle joints through a figure four grip on the foot and ankle. The tension created is enough to damage the ligaments in the ankle, and if correctly applied, it requires little physical strength. The toe hold is legal at brown and black belt levels in gi and at most levels in no-gi, making it a very commonly used leg lock.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being less dangerous than the heel hook<\/a> and more effective than the straight ankle lock<\/a>, the toe hold is an important move to learn both as a submission and as a way to sweep or force the opponent to move in a particular position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What is A Toe BJJ Toe Hold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The toe hold applies medial rotation to the foot and attacks the ankle ligaments, resulting in sharp pain followed by a tap or severe damage to two ligaments (ATFL and CFL). The grip is like a kimura grip on the foot, producing pressure in plantar flexion and inversion forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The effect a good toe hold has is similar to rolling your ankle badly from falling on it. The name of the submission comes from the grip, which should be as close to the toes of the attacked foot as possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toe holds are nearly as effective as heel hooks but not as dangerous because, in most cases, they don\u2019t damage the knee ligaments, which are harder to repair and rehab than those in the ankle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The toe hold has been a part of jiu-jitsu since the beginning, but it hasn\u2019t always been popular. The technique originates in judo, where it\u2019s called ashi dori garami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leg locks<\/a> were considered low-class moves by Helio Gracie and were frowned upon. Ironically, the doors for them were opened by a direct student of Helio, Rolls Gracie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was an innovator and broadened his horizons by training in judo, sambo, and wrestling, and appreciated leg locks for their effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rolls and his students became known for their leg locks, including the toe hold, but his untimely passing meant the techniques would again be left aside for decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the leg lock renaissance in submission grappling in the past 20 years and a few key names in gi have made the toe hold and leg locks extremely popular today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While heel hooks are expert leg lockers’ primary weapons, they are banned at all levels in the gi. The toe hold, however, is allowed for brown and black belt<\/a> competitors, making it a viable attack in all jiu-jitsu styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The toe hold is versatile and used for more than just a finishing move, but before we get to the possibilities, let’s see how to execute a proper toe hold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Do A Toe Hold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Toe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The grip required for the toe hold is easy to grasp because it\u2019s the same figure four configuration we do for wrist locks<\/a> like the Kimura and Americana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main hand grabs the top of the foot as close to the toes as possible. A good reference point is to have your middle finger holding the opponent\u2019s pinky toe. This hand produces the tension on the foot, while the other hand serves as a fulcrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The secondary hand goes behind the opponent\u2019s lower leg, and their Achilles should fall on your forearm. Grab your primary hand\u2019s wrist to secure a thumbless figure four grip. The key to finishing the toe hold is to use both hands to create pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pulling with your secondary hand while pushing with the main one is important. Drive their toes towards their butt, and the tap or break is inevitable against most people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By bending the foot out and over simultaneously, you can achieve much higher pressure and pain instead of just trying to push it in one direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a nice video instruction from one of the masters of toe holds and leg locks in general, Gary Tonon:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n