Key Takeaways
- A No-Gi BJJ instructional deconstructing the Aoki lock and straight ankle lock.
- Contains entries, braking mechanics, variations, and different follow-ups.
- Features match breakdowns and practical examples of common-use scenarios.
- BJJ World Expert Rating: 8 out of 10.
JETT THOMPSON MASTER ANKLE AND AOKI LOCK DVD GET HERE:
How good are you at stringing along ankle locks? I’m not talking about using them to set up heel hooks, but rather combining different ankle lock variations to tap out anyone you’re up against. If you are not able to use ankle locks to their full potential and need help making them work, you’ve come to the right place.
Today’s focus is on the Jett Thompson DVD, a No-Gi instructional by one of the most promising brown belts in the world today, who happens to have a real knack for ankle locks. Already a proven threat with the Aoki lock and ankle lock, at the highest levels, Jett now shows how he sets them up, combines, and finishes them in this DVD. Is it worth exploring? Read on!
Heel Hooks Don’t Work (Like Before)
What is your favorite leg lock finish? Most of you will probably pick something that involves heel hooks, which is understandable, given how prevalent they are in Jiu-Jitsu. However, it is exactly this prevalence that killed off many moves that people specialized in throughout the eyes, such as Berimbolos, lapel guards, and some leg locks.
The fact that there is such exposure to these things means people adapt to them and develop ways to block, escape, or counter them. In that sense, most heel hooks have become a lot harder to finish, as people don’t fear them anymore, and have found solutions that work against them.
It is not that a well-placed heel hook from a solid controlling position won’t work. It just won’t get the panicky, immediate tap as it did 10 years ago. That just means we need to introduce variety into the mix, and the good old ankle lock is here to provide exactly that. Toe holds can help too but ankle locks are the submissions that will get you those fast taps due to the pain and tightness associated with the finishing mechanics.
Since there is a lot more than just the straight ankle lock to consider for your arsenal, a look at the Jett Thompson Master Ankle and Aoki Lock DVD won’t hurt your leg-locking development. On the contrary, it is going to introduce a whole new dimension to it.
Emerging BJJ Talent Jett Thompson
In this day and age of BJJ, when belts don’t really matter anymore. This ushers in a new opportunity to learn from those who have taken and creative mind, even though they might not bear the coveted BJJ black belt. One such example of a great up-and-comer who has loads to teach on the subject of leg locks is Jett Thompson.
Currently, a brown belt, training at and representing the Watkins Wrecking Crew Team, Jett has caught the eye of those following the No-Gi competition scene through his impressive performances in the PGF, most notably in season 6.
The 17-year-old has been tearing it up with standout performances centered around the smart and highly effective use of ankle lock variations. He is a real master of the straight ankle lock, and the super powerful Aoki lock, one of the best lower body submission holds in the game.
For those who have no idea who Jett is, and have no ego in learning efficient leglock systems from teenagers who haven’t earned their black belt yet, the Jett Thompson Master Ankle and Aoki Lock DVD is exactly what you want to see.
Jett Thompson Master Ankle and Aoki Lock DVD Review
The Jett Thompson Master Ankle and Aoki Lock DVD features a very effective and fluff-free combination of a couple of ultra-potent ankle lock variations that come together in a neat little system. Over two volumes, Jett covers entires, setups, finishing, combinations, and follow-ups, as well as some match breakdowns:
Part 1 – Finishing Mechanics & Variations
This is a very straightforward BJJ DVD with Jett offering his ways of finishing a couple of ankle locks that are not just very good on their own but also combine together beautifully. The first of two volumes in this Jett Thompson Master Ankle and Aoki Lock DVD begins by introducing the breaking mechanics of the ankle lock and Aoki lock.
There is lots of focus on gripping, as you’d expect, but Jett proves his worth by demonstrating highly modified grips, such as the elbow to elbow and forearm grip which introduce even more tension to finishing mechanics.
He also talks a lot about the use of the legs, not really focusing on any particular Ashi Garami dynamic, as much as he does on the role of the legs, particularly when starting from guard. X guard, shin-to-shin guard, K Guard, and 50/50 entries and finishes all feature in this volume.
Once Thompson gets the finishing details out of the way, he moves on to cover entries into the Aoki lock and ankle lock from different positions we’ve seen him use in PGF such as Bolos, the 4/11, and butterfly guard. A couple of high-side ankle lock variations bring this first half of the DVD to a close.
Part 2 – Common Use Scenarios
The second volume of the Jett Thompson Master Ankle and Aoki Lock DVD is something we don’t see a lot in instructionals, which I, personally, think is a major drawback of other DVDs. Jett covers the common scenario in which his system fits perfectly rather than trying to paint it as the end-all-be-all “only system you’ll ever need”.
He starts by talking about wrestling up and how people tend to turn away while standing up, which opens up the perfect opportunity to set ankle lock attacks. Denied upper body submissions such as triangles and armbars also feature, as do more setups from guards, including some closed guard work. Jett even does match breakdowns to enforce his points and round off a great leg locks instructional.
Combining Ankle Locks
The real power of ankle locks lies in their ability to easily combine with one another without the need to change leg configurations, a.k.a. Ashi Garami positions. Namely, things like the straight ankle locks, reverse ankle locks, and Aoki locks form a very deadly trio, that capitalizes on the opponent’s defensive actions to each.
As people try to escape a certain ankle lock variation, they just get stuck in another tighter one, which if they manage to counter, leads to the third one. The best part is that they work as a cycle so that you can interchange attacks and always have a tighter ankle lock waiting on the other end of your opponent’s reaction.
Having such a versatile ankle lock game with eventually lead to better heel hooks as well because opponents end up with the only option of exposing a heel to try and avoid your ankle lock bonanza. The Jett Thompson DVD explains the relationship between ankle locks and their uses a lot better and in great detail.
DOWNLOAD: JETT THOMPSON MASTER ANKLE AND AOKI LOCK DVD
Break a Leg!
Since you’re going to be hunting for leg locks anyway, why not make your opponents worry about more than just heel hooks? The Jett Thompson Master Ankle and Aoki Lock DVD shows you how you can introduce and combine a different threat, just as potent as heel hooks, but a lot more difficult to defend. The best part is, that you don’t have to worry about the legality of it- you can do these at white belt!
