Jiu-Jitsu: Honey Hole/ Sankaku Position, Entries, and Escapes

In the martial arts of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the fighters use the technique and methods of control, and positioning the opponent. Submission is the core component of the jiu-jitsu,

The ground sport is based on the leverage method, which can be applied to the bigger or oversized contender. The leg and the hand joints are applied to lock the opponent in place.

The honey hole is also the submission method, which involves the use of leg locks. The leg locks can work from various positions to submit the grappler. It is the most powerful and safest joint lock of all. 

Honey Hole is the submission technique that is used in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It is a leg joint lock that can be executed from various positions. It is the most effective leg lock that can work like Ashi Garami.

The honey hole can be applied to the legs of the opponent which is an invert of the Ashi garami. The fighter needs to take control over the legs of the fellow fighter and then, he has to make a leg lock of the triangle shape that hooks the opponent and it is the most safest leg lock in the jiu-jitsu.

The lock of the legs can be applied in defensive and offensive techniques. The fighter is required to take the position before the execution of the submission method. 

The honey hole is a method that is famous for the effective technique of the leg lock. The honey hole is called by various names including:

• The 411
• Saddle
• Cross Ashi Garami
• Inside Sankaku

This powerful submission method of the honey hole can take firm control over the legs of the opponent. Legs are the most significant part of the body that allows the grappler to move, and escape from the submission method. If you get control over the legs, then there will be fewer chances to strike back. 

The Honey hole is the submission method that enables the fighter to threaten the opposer with an intense leg lock. Honey hole allows you to get access to the foot of the opponent and to hook the heel of the fellow contender.

The fighter can also add the methods of the kneebar and the toe hold in order to get the proper control. You can threaten the opponent, by not letting them know about the exact submission method that you wanted to apply.

It is considered as the universal submission method that can be applied from the innumerable positions and methods. The fighter can put pressure on the base area of the opponent to prevent the rolling and moving. The application of the pressure can change the overall dimension of the submission method. 

The leg entanglement of the honey hole is diverse in itself. This leg configuration method can be applied from multiple angles to get the required results. the 411 position can be used in the gi and no-gi competitions.

Taking control of the legs is not an easy task, the fighter needs to make a sturdy base for the execution of the Honey Hole. The application of sankaku is versatile and can be applied from multiple directions, which include:

• Takedown
• Guard pass
• Imanari roll
• Open guard

It is often termed as a most painful submission control, that can make the fighter taps for it. Inside Sankaku is the painful hook on the leg that can leave a sore. The painful submission makes the fighter not escape from the leg joint but tap away.

Honey hole or the inside sankaku is the submission method that has multiple advantages, it can be applied from the different positions. The grappler can make it more creative by adding the create moves of entries with it.

Top contenders used the methods of leg locks to restrict the movement of the opponent. Once the fighter takes the position of the honey hole, he can use any technique for the application of the submission method of the honey hole that includes, the toe hold, heel hook, and knee bar to take the proper control over the opponent.

As the fighter approaches to take control over the legs of the opponent, the fighter needs to make a frame with the use of the legs which stops the movement of the hips. While taking the position the opponent might target the head, it will be an easy move for the fighter as the legs of the opponent will remain unnoticed and can easily be grabbed.

The opponent will find a way to escape from it by taking the standing position. The opponent will struggle to release his leg and meanwhile, you can attack with the method of the kneebar. Create the wedge or the triangle over the legs of the opponent, and apply the pressure by using the shoulder.

Try to take control over the strong side of the opponent, after which he can not escape from the leg lock. The pressure plays a vital role in the execution of any submission technique.

Note that in the honey hole position, the fighters need to get control over the three major areas which include the base or hip, foot, and the knee of the opponent. 

The honey hole submission method is the most effective leg lock that is the safest position as well. It can be applied by grabbing or targeting the hips of the opponent with the position of the legs. At that time you have to bend the knees,

The fighter is required to use the hands to grip the lower body of the opponent mainly the ankle. Once you have taken the butterfly position, you have to step back from the legs of the opponent.

After that, the next move is to grab the leg of the opponent and lift it. Use the leg and place it under the leg of the opponent. In this way, you can lock the opponent in that particular place. 

The back step position is considered the basic or ideal way to get inside the honey hole or 411 position. The fighter is required to grab the knee of the opponent in this way the fellow fighter considers that you are going for the guard pass method. At that stage the fighter needs to aim at the legs by stepping inside it, to take the position of the sankaku. 

In this position of the honey hole, the fighter targets the legs of the opponent. At first, the grappler needs to make a space in the leg area and hook it, he needs to push the foot slightly at a certain angle that makes a space for the execution of the submission of the honey hole.

The pressure is exerted on the knee part of the fighter that is done by the other foot, make sure not to rotate the foot so much. This gives you the best entry for the honey hole submission method. 

The top guard has a high percentage for the entry of the honey hole. The submission of the Sankaku or the 411 can be applied with the addition of the heel hooks, kneebars, and ankle locks.

The first step is to take a knee to create space for yourself. Then you are required to change the side by switching the side of the hips. In this way, you are required to slide the knee inside the space of the leg majorly the thigh part.

The next step is to lock the opponent in a particular position by making a triangle over the legs. After that target the leg that is far from your side, in order to get into the Honey Hole position. 

The leg entanglement of the Honey Hole or Sankaku can be applied with multiple variations. It is the submission method that has multiple names because it can be applied to a lot of positions.

Cross ashi garami or the inside sankaku is the most effective submission method, at the same time, its escape is also very difficult. Down below are the tips and tricks that are needed to be followed:

• The fighter needs to protect the placement of the legs or foot.
• Be careful of the moves of the opponent.
• While moving and standing up care should be taken.
• You are required to keep the foot at your side.
• While you are moving back for the escape take the opportunity to control the movement of the opponent from the back side.
• Protect yourself from getting intact with the kneebar, and heel hook.

Leg locks are a fundamental part of the martial art of jiu-jitsu. The performance of an athlete is dependent on the application of the submission method and how the submission is applied. The process of defending and offending goes side by side.

A honey hole, sankaku, or the 411 is the proven leg entanglement that can be an effective and essential tool in the BJJ arsenal. Utilizing different leg lock positions can take your performance to the next level.

In the position of the honey hole, you can add the methods of the heel hook and kneebar. The pressure can be applied with the shoulders to secure the grip. The upper body of the opponent can be controlled with the variations in the submission method.

Photo Credit: Mig Mag @youtube