# Straight Ankle Lock

> A linear foot and ankle submission commonly attacked from straight ashi and related one-leg entanglements.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/straight-ankle-lock
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/straight-ankle-lock.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/straight-ankle-lock
- **Category:** submission
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** intermediate
- **Aliases:** straight foot lock, botinha, achilles lock
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

The straight ankle lock controls the opponent's leg while the attacker wraps the lower forearm around the ankle line. Unlike rotational heel hooks, its primary finishing direction is generally described as linear extension through the foot and ankle.

High-level foot-lock systems depend on leg control, hip position, and preventing the opponent from clearing their knee. The same entanglement also creates sweeps and stand-ups, so the position remains useful when the finish is defended.

## Key principles

- Control the opponent's knee line before focusing on the foot.
- Keep the wrapping arm connected high on the ankle line.
- Use the legs to limit rotation and standing escapes.
- Apply pressure slowly; foot and ankle injuries can occur before pain feels dramatic.

## Common entries

- **Single-leg X:** Maintain straight-ashi control after off-balancing the opponent.
- **Open guard:** Collect a foot while connecting both knees around the captured leg.
- **50/50:** Control the near foot while protecting your own knee line.


## Productive next actions

- **Sweep:** Use the leg entanglement to put the opponent on the mat and come on top.
- **Technical stand-up:** Keep the captured leg and rise when the opponent retracts the foot.
- **X guard:** Move underneath the hips if the opponent stands and frees the foot.


## Defensive priorities

- **Free the knee line:** Move the knee beyond the attacker's legs before rotating away.
- **Clear the wrapping arm:** Hand fight the forearm and recover the heel toward the mat.
- **Control the secondary leg:** Prevent the attacker from maintaining hip connection while you disengage.

## Rules and safety

Leg-lock legality changes substantially by age, belt, division, and ruleset. Reaping and the finishing mechanic may be regulated separately. Confirm the current organizer rules before competing.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## Related techniques

- [Single-Leg X](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-x)
- [50/50 Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/fifty-fifty)
- [Inside Heel Hook](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/inside-heel-hook)
- [Kneebar](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/kneebar)

## Associated athletes

- [Mateusz Szczeciński](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/mateusz-szczecinski): Polish submission hunter, multi-time Polaris welterweight champion, and ADCC veteran famous for the shotgun K-guard.
- [Mikey Musumeci](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/mikey-musumeci): Five-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion, inaugural ONE flyweight submission grappling champion, and technical guard specialist known for the Mikey Lock.
- [Diego Pato](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/diego-pato): Five-time IBJJF World Champion and the most decorated light-featherweight in Worlds history; AOJ star in gi and no-gi.
- [Elisabeth Clay](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/elisabeth-clay): American submission hunter, 2017 ADCC Trials winner, WNO champion, Polaris Grand Prix winner, and multiple-time IBJJF World No-Gi champion.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/straight-ankle-lock and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*