Calf Crusher / Calf Slicer

The calf crusher, also known as the calf slicer, is a compression leg lock that attacks the calf muscle and indirectly stresses the knee joint. The attacker traps the opponent’s leg between their own legs or against their forearm and then applies pressure, compressing the soft tissue and creating a highly uncomfortable, potentially damaging position.

This submission can be applied from various positions, including guard, half guard, and top control, making it versatile for both offensive and countering strategies. Control and angle are crucial: improperly applied, the opponent can roll out or counter, but when executed correctly, it can be nearly impossible to defend.

Advanced competitors use the calf crusher not just for submissions but also as a control tool to immobilize the opponent while setting up transitions to knee bars, toe holds, or positional dominance. Its rise in modern no-gi competition reflects the broader evolution toward leg entanglements in high-level grappling.