Outside Heel Hook

Executing an effective outside heel hook requires understanding the mechanics of preventing the opponent's knee from escaping. Begin by establishing a C-grip on the opponent's calf with the overhook hand, without reaching across. Use this grip to expose the heel, then cup it over the top of the hand, turning it out to prevent the opponent from bringing their knee outside the line.

Secure the heel in hand, aiming the tendon of the opponent's pinky toe against your pectoral muscle, and pinch your elbow down to lock the heel. This position should keep the opponent's knee inside the line of the hip and ankle due to the sharp angle on the foot. It's crucial to avoid placing the instep on the pectoral muscle, as this allows the opponent to escape.

For leg positioning, place your Achilles tendon a few inches above where the opponent's hamstring meets their quad, digging into their leg to hold the knee in internal rotation. Your knee should point in the same direction as the opponent's knee. The top leg should come over calf deep, backheeling hard into the side of the opponent's leg, creating discomfort even before the submission is applied.

Lock your hands up, keeping them tight to your chin, and close your top knee down, touching the inside of the opponent's knee with your thigh as you hamstring curl in. This creates breaking pressure while maintaining the opponent's knee in internal rotation. Ensure to backheel with force to prevent the opponent's knee from turning out, which would create slack and reduce the effectiveness of the submission.

Remember, the goal is to keep the opponent's knee internally rotated and apply pressure to push their knee out. If the opponent's knee moves during the application of pressure, increase the backheeling to maintain constant tension for a successful heel hook submission.