Laces Inside Heel Hook | Optimal Bend In Leg

Optimizing the inside heel hook involves controlling the opponent's leg bend and positioning. The goal is to keep the opponent's knee outside the line of their ankle to prevent them from bringing their knee inside, which would compromise the heel hook.

1. Position yourself over the opponent's hip to create the optimal angle for the heel hook.
2. Flare your triangle to maintain control and prevent the opponent from adjusting their knee position.
3. When digging for the heel hook, aim to keep the opponent's knee stuck, making the submission tighter and more effective.
4. Use the structure of your legs to pinch the opponent's leg, creating pressure and making it difficult for them to escape.
5. Regardless of the opponent's leg being straight or bent, the heel hook mechanics should still apply. The ideal bend in the opponent's leg for targeting the ACL is between 20 and 30 degrees, but the technique should work on any leg position.
6. If the opponent tries to turn out or push against your knee, your bottom leg should follow due to its hooking action, which only intensifies the heel hook.
7. Remember that you cannot always control the bend in the opponent's leg, so the heel hook technique should be effective against both extended and bent legs.

It's important to note that if a heel hook technique does not work against both extended and bent legs, it may not be a reliable method, as you cannot always dictate the opponent's leg position.