08/01/2026
We just wrapped our 2 week summer camp! I just spent 2 weeks teaching 15 kids heel hooks and ankle locks (context: No gi, ADCC ruleset). Here are my findings:
Each day, I offered the kids an extra ration of gummies if they could make me tap to a leg lock. Near the end of week 1, I'd say 5 of the kids could make me tap, and by the end of week 2, only 3 kids could not make me submit.
Leg locks are obviously not allowed in competition, but the kids gained valuable time playing games based around destabilizing and attacking someone from bottom leg entanglements. I believe kids (and anyone) who understand ashi garami and x-guard situations will progress quickly in grappling.
We didn't have any leg attack related injuries as I would intervene the second I felt there was any chance of injury. We trained multiple sessions addressing the leg reaping position, how to escape, and creating counter-offense. Understanding when leg reaping is actually dangerous is the first step in educating the next generation about this taboo subject. Kids usually know reaping isn't allowed, but they don't usually know why or how this action can be dangerous... Knowledge is power, and ignorance is what is actually dangerous. I recommend you get your kids playing with leg locks ASAP. This will allow them to attack their opponents entire body with their entire body.
I used a combination of explicit instruction and positional games with constraints during the camp. I would let them make mistakes at first, and then follow through with explicit solutions. This yielded pretty impressive results, and many of the kids were using what I had shown repeatedly with intention.
We also drilled. A lot. Specifically with gravity drills from bottom leg entanglements. This helped the kids understand how they could blend leg attacks with takedowns, sweeps, guard passing, and taking the back. Say what you want about drills. They aren't all created equal, but they can absolutely help the student improve their ability to perform a task.
(MAIN TAKEAWAYS IN COMMENTS)
What a success. I can't wait to run another camp with these kids!!
