Saddle
Saddle
Section titled “Saddle”The saddle (also called cross ashi, inside sankaku, or honeyhole) is one of the strongest finishing positions for the inside heel hook and a position you need to understand even if you aren’t playing it yet.
Overview
Section titled “Overview”Safety
Section titled “Safety”Recognizing when you’re in saddle
Section titled “Recognizing when you’re in saddle”- Your training partner’s legs are crossed inside yours on the opposite side
- They have access to your heel
When to tap
Section titled “When to tap”- If they have your heel and their hips are close, tap
- Do not wait for pain
- Use your words if you’re unsure
Accidental entries
Section titled “Accidental entries”- You may end up in saddle from scrambles or failed passes
- Recognize the position and respond appropriately whether you’re attacking or defending
Core Mechanics and Concepts
Section titled “Core Mechanics and Concepts”What the saddle is
Section titled “What the saddle is”- Cross side leg, your legs inside
- Also called cross ashi, 411, honeyhole, inside sankaku
- Arguably the best finishing position for the inside heel hook
Why it’s so strong
Section titled “Why it’s so strong”- Counterattacks are difficult for the defender
- Handfighting counters are nullified
- You can attach to the secondary leg (double trouble) for extreme stability
Primary vs secondary leg control
Section titled “Primary vs secondary leg control”The wedge
Section titled “The wedge”Heel exposure
Section titled “Heel exposure”Double trouble from saddle
Section titled “Double trouble from saddle”The Inside Heel Hook from Saddle
Section titled “The Inside Heel Hook from Saddle”Why saddle is the primary heel hook position
Section titled “Why saddle is the primary heel hook position”Basic mechanics of the inside heel hook from here
Section titled “Basic mechanics of the inside heel hook from here”- Rotational pressure via foot rotation
- Lateral knee pressure via hip drive
- Bridging finish vs rotational finish
The danger: no pain before injury
Section titled “The danger: no pain before injury”- Heel hooks attack the knee in a plane without nerve endings
- If you feel tightness, that IS the signal
- Tap early, tap often
Escaping Saddle
Section titled “Escaping Saddle”Clearing the knee line
Section titled “Clearing the knee line”Preventing the heel exposure
Section titled “Preventing the heel exposure”Recovering to 50/50
Section titled “Recovering to 50/50”Standing up from bottom saddle
Section titled “Standing up from bottom saddle”What not to do from bottom saddle
Section titled “What not to do from bottom saddle”Summary
Section titled “Summary”Coaching Guide
Section titled “Coaching Guide”Common entries and sequences
Section titled “Common entries and sequences”Common problems and cues
Section titled “Common problems and cues”- What you will observe: Students not recognizing they’re in saddle What to cue: “Their legs are crossed inside yours. That’s saddle. Protect your heel.”
- What you will observe: Students waiting too long to tap to heel hooks from saddle What to cue: “If they have your heel from saddle, the time to tap is now. Not when it hurts.”
- What you will observe: Students trying to roll out of saddle incorrectly What to cue: “Don’t roll into the submission. Clear your knee first.”
Recommended games
Section titled “Recommended games”- Leg Spaghetti (saddle start): one attacker, one defender; scale to both attacking as skill increases
Resources
Section titled “Resources”Submeta courses
Section titled “Submeta courses”- Saddle, Lachlan Giles (Submeta)
- Understanding Heel Hooks, Lachlan Giles (Submeta)
- False Reap, Lachlan Giles (Submeta)
- Half Butterfly to Leg Entanglements, Lachlan Giles (Submeta)
Submeta course notes
Section titled “Submeta course notes”See hubs/admin/submeta-notes/leg-entanglements-courses.md for detailed chapter breakdowns of each referenced course.