Outside Heel Hook | Summary

Executing an effective heel hook involves precise mechanics, particularly ensuring the pinky toe tendon is pressed against the pec to prevent heel slips. Traditional grips like the crook of the elbow can work but are susceptible to heel slips and make positioning the pinky toe tendon difficult.

1. Using a palm-to-palm grip with the wrist bone supporting the ankle creates a bone-on-bone contact that resists the opponent's foot retraction.
2. Switching to a wrist-to-wrist grip can facilitate the positioning of the pinky toe tendon, but care must be taken not to move the right hand too deep, which can lead to the same heel slip issue.
3. When transitioning to a wrist-to-wrist grip, bring the left hand to the right without moving the right hand, unless shifting to a reverse figure-four grip.
4. The reverse figure-four grip naturally places the pinky toe tendon in the desired position, making it a powerful option for heel hooks.
5. Focus on precision with a palm-to-palm grip during training, ensuring the back heel closes on the knee and the knee is pinched tight.
6. Avoid twisting the opponent's leg; instead, use a bridging motion if necessary. However, the key is to pull into the opponent's leg with your own legs, performing a hamstring curl and closing the knee to secure the break.