/
Submission · Leg lock · Intermediate
IntermediateLeg lockGi & no-giIBJJF: brown & black belts only
Toe hold
A submission (leg lock) you hit from Saddle (Inside Sankaku), 50/50 and Deep half guard. Intermediate level.
Your bookmarks
Press Bookmark while a detail you want to rewatch is on screen.
Starts from
Get to one of these positions first, then look for the toe hold.
Key steps
Leg lock. Tap early in training, and let go as soon as your partner taps.
- Grab their foot
- Figure-four grip on the foot
- Rotate the foot toward the inside
- Finish
If they defend it
They straighten: switch to the kneebar.
Common mistakes
Common mistake
Gripping at the toes.
Key details
- IBJJF: legal only for brown and black belts (adult and master)
- Grip the top of the foot and rotate, don’t just pull
How to defend it
Caught in it?
How to escape itLearn the early defense, the escape and when to tap.
Where you’ll face it
You’re most likely to get caught in it from these positions. Each one has its escapes.
Related positions & techniques
- Starts from
- Saddle (Inside Sankaku)50/50Deep half guard
- Defend it
- How to escape the toe hold
- Similar submissions
- Straight ankle lockOutside heel hookInside heel hookKneebar (Hiza Juji Gatame)Calf slicerEstima lock
- In courses
- Half guard setLeg lock set
Safety and research
Train this safely
Learn it under a coach, apply it slowly, and tap early when you’re caught. Check your gym’s and tournament’s rules first.
What the research says
Caused 10% of submission injuries in a 2025 survey of 881 practitioners. Tap early; the foot and ankle give little warning.
Read about itGrapplearts articlesBJJ Heroes
Practice
Quick checkToe hold quick check4 questions
My notes
Saved automatically.
More from these positionsOther techniques that start where this one does
Waiter sweepSweep → Half guard (top)Homer Simpson sweepSweep → Half guard (top)Inside heel hookSubmission · Leg lockKneebar (Hiza Juji Gatame)Submission · Leg lockSingle legTakedown → Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)Estima lockSubmission · Leg lockSaddle escapeEscape → Passing open guard50/50 escapeEscape → Passing open guard