Does Your Leg Lock Game Have These Important Details?

By Fanatics Authors, January 31, 2019

Footlocks and Escapes (Lachlan Giles)

Who is Lachlan Giles? He is a Jiu Jitsu black belt under John Simon and arguable one of the top Australian grapplers of his generation. Giles earned his distinguished reputation in prestigious tournaments such as IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, Pan Pacific Championship, Boa Super 8 and Eddie Bravo Invitational.

Giles hails from Melbourne, Australia. At a young age he was influenced by martial arts movies. He was introduced to Jiu Jitsu at the age of 15 when he saw Royce Gracie’s legendary performance at UFC 1. Lachlan began his training in Jiu Jitsu under Tyrone Crosse. It was under Tyrone’s tutelage that he progressed to purple belt. His club changed coaches and Lachlan progressed to black belt under John Simon. It is worth noting that Giles was also heavily influenced by Thiago Stefanutti. Thiago also awarded Giles the first degree on his black belt.

Lachlan Giles is an ADCC Veteran, Pan Pacific Champion and coach to one of the fastest rising starts, Craig Jones!

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Lachlan has many exceptional achievements as a grappler. He is the ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Champion in 2015 and 2017. He is the IBJJF Pan Pacific Champion and Pan Pacific No-GI Champion in 2016 and 2017. He won the UAEJJF Continental Pro Champion in 2018. Giles also took second place at the Boa Super 8 1st Edition and 2^nd Edition in 2015. Lachlan took 3^rd place at Eddie Bravo Invitational 5. He claimed second place at the 2018 UAEJJF Grand Slam Abu Dhabi and 3^rd place at the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in 2017.

In this video Lachlan Giles explores the straight ankle lock and its escapes. He starts the video by stating it is important to control space with leg entanglements. The demonstration starts with Giles standing and his training partner in a supine position. Lachlan takes a two on one grip on his opponent’s leg around the knee and ankle. He then sits down and pinches his legs over his opponent. Did you catch this important detail? Giles states that it is important to be on the hip of the side you are attacking. Essentially, you want the leg that you are attacking between you and the mat for the straight ankle lock. He also notes that it is not necessary to have the perfect grip from the start. Giles advocates gaining control of the leg and then work to build the correct grip. He brings his arm back until he makes contact with his opponent’s toes. To finish, he comes off his elbow and bridges. Giles also states that it is important to use the boney part of your arm in the submission. The discussion now transitions to the defense of the straight ankle lock. Giles states that the first option is to turn away from your opponent and then get your foot on the mat. If it is too late for that defense Lachlan states to push your opponent’s foot off of your hip and then scoot over. He states either hand is fine for this but the cross side hand is preferable. The video closes with Giles explaining how to overcome the straight ankle lock defense. His far side leg comes over to his opponent’s hip. Next he goes belly down. His hips are high in the air and he is posted on his head.

This video is a wonderful example of Lachlan Giles’s ability to communicate technique to even novice grapplers. Like all of Giles’ instructional videos, there is a lot of detail. I know that I often gain new insights every time I re-watch one of his videos. Certainly, they have a powerful impact on anyone who makes a careful study of them. Giles’ education, the success of his students and the popularity that he has achieved are testaments to his exceptional abilities as an instructor. Certainly the Jiu Jitsu community is lucky to have him.

Come and learn one of the world’s most important guards from one of the world’s best instructors, Lachlan Giles. The head coach of Australia’s Absolute MMA, is back to show one of his best positions, the offensive half guard. He explores the techniques that he uses to win tons of tournaments at the world black belt level. Get it now from BJJ Fanatics!

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