Leg Lock Safety and Legality Map

Mat Manual companion guide to "Leg Locks at the Beginner Level: What Is Legal, What Is Safe." Print it. Read the rules block first, every time, until it is reflex.

The Leg Lock Rules: Printed as Rules, Not Advice

THE LEG LOCK RULES: NON-NEGOTIABLE ☐ Tap early and tap often. With leg locks, early is the only tap that counts. ☐ Tap with your voice as well as your hand. Shout "tap." Your hands may be fighting grips and your legs are pinned. Your voice is always free. ☐ When your partner taps, in any form, release instantly. First the release, then the discussion. ☐ Never crank a leg lock. If you need speed to make it work, you do not have the position yet. ☐ Catch and release is the default training pace. You lock the position, show the finish is there, and let go. Finishing hard is for agreed rounds with agreed partners. ☐ If a heel hook is locked on you and you do not own a drilled escape, the escape is the tap. Never roll out of one on instinct. ☐ Your school's rolling rules outrank this guide, every federation, and every video. Know them before you touch a leg.