The Rise of Leg Attacks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Over the Last Decade

 The Rise of Leg Attacks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Over the Last Decade

In the last decade, leg attacks have surged in popularity within Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), revolutionizing the competitive landscape and reshaping traditional grappling strategies. Once considered secondary to upper body submissions like chokes and arm locks, leg attacks, particularly heel hooks, kneebars, and ankle locks, have become integral to modern BJJ.

The evolution of leg attacks can be attributed to several key factors. First, the rise of submission-only competitions, such as the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) and the ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), has encouraged practitioners to explore and refine leg-lock techniques. In these formats, where points and positional dominance are less emphasized, the ability to secure a quick and decisive submission has driven athletes to develop sophisticated leg-lock systems.

The influence of prominent BJJ figures and teams, such as John Danaher and the "Danaher Death Squad" (DDS), has also been instrumental. Danaher's systematic approach to leg attacks, notably the "Leg Lock Game," has been widely adopted, with many competitors achieving success by focusing on this game aspect. The DDS's dominance in high-profile tournaments has further popularized leg locks, inspiring a new generation of grapplers to prioritize this training area.

As a result, leg attacks have become a critical component of BJJ, with practitioners recognizing their effectiveness in both gi and no-gi formats. The increased focus on leg attacks has also led to a deeper understanding of the counters and defenses, creating a more dynamic and complex grappling environment.

The last decade has seen leg attacks transform from a niche strategy to a mainstream, must-know aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, fundamentally altering the sport's competitive landscape.

Sources:

  1. "Leg Locks: The Rise of Heel Hooks in BJJ" by Hywel Teague, published on FloGrappling. This article discusses the increasing prominence of leg locks, particularly heel hooks, in both gi and no-gi competitions, highlighting key figures and events that contributed to their popularity.

  2. "The Leg Lock Revolution in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" by Jack Slack, featured in Bloody Elbow. This piece explores the evolution of leg lock techniques, focusing on the influence of the Danaher Death Squad and the impact of submission-only formats on the sport.

  3. "The Evolution of Leg Locks in BJJ" by BJJ black belt Stephan Kesting, published on Grapplearts. Kesting provides an overview of how leg locks have become a crucial aspect of modern BJJ, discussing the technical advancements and strategic shifts over the past decade.

  4. "Leg Lock Mastery: How John Danaher Changed BJJ" by Averi Clements, published in Jiu-Jitsu Times

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