Ashi Garami

Ashi garami is a foundational leg entanglement in which the attacker isolates one of the opponent’s legs, creating opportunities for heel hooks, straight ankle locks, or kneebars. This position is both a control and submission platform, widely used in no-gi grappling and submission-only competitions.

There are several variations, including inside and outside ashi garami, each offering distinct angles and leverage for submissions. The bottom player must defend actively, controlling the attacker’s hips and posture to avoid being finished.

Ashi garami forms the basis of more complex leg attack systems like the 50/50 guard, saddle, and double-under hooks. Its prominence reflects the evolution of BJJ toward leg-centric offensive strategies while balancing positional control.