Discussion of posted technique - heel hook

[Tim Mousel]

Hi,

Take a look at http://defend.net/techniques/index.htm and if you have any comments or suggestions, post them here.

Thanks,

Tim

[John Bennett]

That slide show thing is cool.

[SweepEm]

Tim:

I've been to some BJJ schools where they teach heel hooks to the advanced students and at other schools none are taught.

My question is:
at your school, [assuming that you do teach heel hooks to students], at what level do you teach them?

I'm trying to remember, I think at BJJ tournaments, heel hooks are allowed at only the brown and black belt levels. Is this right?

[Tim Mousel]

Hi,

I teach heel hooks from the very beginning. I am also sure to explain the danger in them. During sparring, we'll apply the heel hook and then let go of it before applying any pressure. It allows the students to get experience applying the lock with a very low risk of injury.

Advanced students will apply a little more pressure when sparring with each other.

I'm not sure about the rule in BJJ tournaments. Someone else here would surely know.


Tim

[Oldskulbus]

It seems to me that the defender (The guy on his back) could really kick his legs and get out of the initial holds. How pratical do you think this technique is for the streets?

[McLeod]

I believe that the heel hook, especially the inside heel hook as opposed to the outside, is far more realistic a move for street use that a simple achilles lock or a knee bar.
A few points that beginners forget when applying the hold:

1. Squeeze your knees together to isolate the leg.
2. Use your radius bone on their heel to apply the hold, not the back of your elbow as leverage is greater and slppiage is less likely with a shoe.
3. turn your body completely when securing the heel, so as to gain more leverage and pressure when you turn back to apply the hold, and twist towards your chin.
4. There are many other ways to apply the heel hook other than simply your wrist and master grip, explore them as some work in some situations better than others.
5. don't leave your foot crossing their body if you're going for an outside heel hook as it will present them with the inside and that is often the quicker of the two holds.

Just some points Ive noticed people forgetting when they apply them.

Also, in most BJJ tourny's I've been in, heel holds are not allowed, as are Knee bars and neck cranks.
In fact, the last two NO GI tournaments I've entered, these (save for the neck cranks) were outlawed as well.

LATER!

[AWSolis]

Cool Technique Page...looking forward to more.

I make students aware of the heel hook, but I really don't teach it
unless my students are competing in a venue that allows them.
The majority of BJJ tourneys do not allow heel hooks and for good reason.
It is too easy to get hurt...I know from experience.
In 1996, one week prior to leaving for LA to fight in the Dog Bros.
Gathering...we were free rolling in class...and I was going with a beginner
who was quite big and strong. (NOTE: this is when I was a student under
Eric Williams at the Mousel Self-Defense Academy at Dairy Ashford...everyone, and I mean EVERYONE trained there!)
We were going at it, just having a great time. I had him in my guard, when he suddenly explodes and throws the heel hook on me.....before I could even tap, my knee dislocated.....we popped it back into place and I sat out the rest of the evening....which really sucked because I use to drive about 50 minutes to go train at MSDA with Eric.
One week later, I was in LA chasing down my opponent with my stick when my knee decided to pop out...I fell to the ground, and had to tap without even being hit by my opponent. It took about 6 months before my knee returned to normal, I could not do a closed guard, and at the time...we knew next to nothing about open guard.
So please be careful when training the heel hook.
Just my experience.
Woof!
Alvis W. Solis
Solis Martial Arts Academy
Machado Jiu-Jitsu Network Representative