How to Do the Ashi Garami in BJJ
Ashi garami (leg entanglement) is the fundamental leg lock position. Your legs control their leg while you attack with ankle locks or heel hooks.
✓ Key Details to Master
- 1 Control their leg with your legs
- 2 Keep their foot tight to your body
- 3 Control the knee line
- 4 Triangle or cross your legs if possible
- 5 Attack ankle or heel
✗ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️ Leg control too loose
- ⚠️ Not controlling knee line
- ⚠️ Letting them extract foot
- ⚠️ Poor foot positioning
- ⚠️ Attacking before position secure
🔄 Variations
- → Inside ashi
- → Outside ashi
- → 50/50
- → Saddle/Honey hole
🛡️ Counters & Defenses
- → Clear the knee line
- → Extract foot early
- → Counter leg lock
Track Your Ashi Garami Progress
Log every time you practice the Ashi Garami and watch your proficiency grow. MatTime helps you build muscle memory by tracking what you actually drill.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What belt level should I be to learn the Ashi Garami? ▼
The Ashi Garami is typically introduced at the blue belt level. However, higher belts continue to refine this technique throughout their BJJ journey. Building a technical foundation. Developing a guard game and understanding of timing.
Does this work in both gi and no-gi? ▼
The Ashi Garami works in both gi and no-gi, though grip adjustments may be necessary. In no-gi, focus on body control and underhooks instead of gi grips.
How do I set up the Ashi Garami? ▼
The Ashi Garami is typically executed from neutral. Key setups include controlling your opponent's posture and creating the right angle. Practice the entry repeatedly before focusing on the finish.