Within the ever-evolving world of BJJ, there was a noticeable shift in how practitioners method the bottom sport. Many practitioners now emphasize their leg lock sport, which is now thought of a must-learn throughout all ranges. What was as soon as a distinct segment space has now grow to be a central pillar of contemporary grappling.
One of many positions that has not too long ago come into play is the diagonal ashi. It is a extremely technical and efficient software within the fingers of competent practitioners. At present, we’ll go over the diagonal ashi in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Trendy BJJ And The Rise Of The Leg Lock Sport
To know the place diagonal ashi matches in, it helps to take a look at how the leg lock sport has grown over the past decade. Not way back, leg locks have been seen by many as crude and even unsportsmanlike. The standard mindset leaned closely towards positional hierarchy (passing the guard, establishing mount, or moving into again management), then submitting. Attacking the legs was typically thought of a shortcut or an indication of poor fundamentals.
That view has since modified, because of the explosion of No-Gi competitions and submission-only tournaments. Key figures like John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones, and others have proven the effectiveness of attacking the decrease physique, and with that, the leg lock sport has developed into one thing extremely technical and nuanced.
At present’s high-level rivals perceive that leg entanglements supply extra than simply submissions; they’re a sport as deep as their upper-body counterparts. As the game has matured, so too have the techniques and entries surrounding leg assaults, giving delivery to positions like diagonal ashi.
The Ashi Garami And Its Many Variations
Ashi garami, which roughly interprets to “leg entanglement” in Japanese, serves as the muse of most trendy leg lock positions. In its most simple kind, the ashi garami includes controlling considered one of your opponent’s legs by threading your legs round it, normally putting one leg throughout their waist or hip, and the opposite beneath their thigh or shin.
From there, a number of variations might be explored, every with its function. The standard straight (irimi) ashi garami is great for straight ankle locks. The surface ashi opens up entries to heel hooks when your opponent’s knee is dealing with outward. The cross-ashi isolates the opponent’s hips and legs. And now the diagonal ashi.
Every variation gives a special angle of management and submission menace. Some are higher for sweeping, others are higher for breaking mechanics. What makes the diagonal ashi efficient is its distinctive hybrid of each.
What Is The Diagonal Ashi?
The diagonal ashi is a variation the place your physique is positioned at a 45-degree angle to your opponent’s leg, as an alternative of being sq. in entrance of it like the standard Ashi. Think about beginning in straight ashi garami however shifting your hips diagonally, aiming towards the far aspect of your opponent’s torso. Your inside leg goes over the opponent’s thigh, whereas your outdoors leg threads underneath and throughout their shin or calf.
This place permits you to preserve sturdy rotational management of your opponent’s leg whereas staying off their direct line of counterattacks. One of many key advantages is that it opens up an especially tight inside heel hook, because of the angle of management and the strain created by the diagonal posture. However greater than that, it gives choices for transitions, sweeps, and different upper-body entanglements as effectively.
What makes the diagonal ashi deceptively highly effective is its stress and the off-balancing (Kuzushi) impact it generates. The angle of management makes it troublesome on your opponent to show, slip the knee, or spin out, particularly when strengthened with correct grips and wedges. It’s additionally a less-explored place, which means many opponents might not instantly acknowledge the hazard or have ready defenses for it.
Security Issues In The Place
As with all leg entanglements, particularly these involving heel hooks, security should all the time come first. The diagonal ashi creates discomfort on the knee when ending from inside heel hooks. It’s simple to underestimate how rapidly something can occur from this angle.
Coaching companions ought to faucet early and sometimes, and instructors ought to emphasize management over brute power. Clear communication within the health club is crucial when coaching from this place, notably when heel hooks are concerned. Practitioners also needs to take time to know the escape routes when caught on this place.
Place Earlier than Submission
One of the essential ideas in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is “place earlier than submission,” and it applies closely to diagonal ashi. Whereas it could be tempting to dive for a heel hook as quickly because the entanglement is established, dashing could cause you to lose the angle or give your opponent area to flee.
Good diagonal ashi management begins with tight leg positioning, an understanding of how you can anchor your weight, and exact hand placement. Management the knee line first. Maintain the opponent’s hip immobilized. Solely as soon as the construction is in place do you have to start to use the opposite mechanics.
One other key level to notice is that your transition from diagonal ashi into different leg entanglements is dependent upon how your opponent reacts. This makes it a wonderful place not only for ending, however for flowing by means of a broader leg lock system.
Conclusion
The diagonal ashi might not be as well-known as a few of the extra established leg lock positions, nevertheless it’s rapidly gaining recognition for its utility in high-level grappling. Like all positions in Jiu-jitsu, mastery comes with time, reps, and a deep understanding of the mechanics concerned. The diagonal ashi can grow to be a extremely efficient software for offense and transition when educated responsibly and thoughtfully into your total sport.
In as we speak’s trendy BJJ panorama, the athletes who excel are those that mix creativity with wonderful fundamentals. We encourage you to attempt the diagonal ashi and see the way it boosts your total sport.
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