50/50 Concepts | Finishing The Submission

Mastering the 50/50 position involves both defensive and offensive strategies. To maintain control or prepare for an attack, it's crucial to understand how to manipulate the entanglement.

1. When your opponent has a figure-four lock and you're unable to access their feet, insert your hand inside the 50/50 and drive your knee into the opening, creating a hook on their belt with your ankle.
2. If your opponent attempts to stand, this action will force them to open the 50/50. Maintain the hook, drive your knee in, and expand your hand, similar to an omoplata escape, to flatten them on the mat.
3. Once the 50/50 is open, target the closed side foot. Wrap the foot, secure the near side collar, and grab their pants. Use a two-step motion to position yourself for the ankle lock.
4. Protect your other leg by stepping over your foot or hiding it under their leg. The preferred method is to step over, which sets up the Achilles attack.
5. With your hand on the mat, drive your hips close to your opponent, pinch your knees, and apply pressure against their ankle with your leg as you lock your elbow on their ribs to initiate the submission.
6. If your opponent pulls you towards them to counter, use your foot to create space and pinch their leg, allowing you to gradually rise to a belly-down ankle lock position.
7. For those seeking points, transition from the ankle lock to a leg drag by hooking your foot behind their opposite knee, kicking through, and securing the pass.

These techniques provide a comprehensive approach to controlling the 50/50 position, transitioning from defense to offense, and securing submissions or advancing position for points.