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Setting Up the Kneebar From Top Half Guard with Sleeve Grip by Dean Lister

Setting Up the Kneebar From Top Half Guard with Sleeve Grip by Dean Lister

A household name in almost any BJJ community, Dean Lister is a 3 time ADCC World Champion and, perhaps more importantly, one of the jiujiteiros who are most responsible for the last decade’s formidable and fast development of submission techniques.

He was one of the early „revolutionaries“ in the art of leglocks, having famously influenced John Danaher‘s views by asking him: „Why would you ignore 50% of the human body?“

In our recent interview with Lister he shares great advice. Here is what he recommends, as a piece of all-around advice, to someone who wants to get better in the art of leglocking:

First of all, I wouldn’t focus specifically on heel hooks, because they are something that must be done responsibly; in order not to hurt yourself or your training partners. You should study all leglock variants and you should learn how to combine them with sweeps from the bottom and with guard passing from the top.
I also wouldn’t „suggest“ to become only a foot lock specialist, because a real submission fighter cannot neglect the other 50% of the human body; the neck and the arms. You need to remain open-minded at all times, because there is always something to learn.

One of the best tips that I have for leglocks or other submissions is to do much more positional sparring. This is so that you can take a chance, and if you make a mistake then you can simply restart. This will help with your confidence.
For example, let’s say that  I am starting on top with open guard – if I pass, then good, I will restart. If I get a leglock, good, I shall restart. If I fall over and lose the leglock, ok – restart. If I am swept, well, okay, let’s restart… This is how much training repetition should be done in order to develop skills.”

In this video, Dean Lister shows us how to acquire the knee lock from the top half guard by securing your opponent’s wrist and stepping over their legs.

Leap into the world of LEG ATTACKS with both feet with IBJJF Legal Leg Attack Secrets from Dean Lister.

  • Dean Lister is the GODFATHER of the modern leg game and has been submitting the biggest BJJ names on the planet for twenty-five years.
  • Let Dean help you navigate THOSE TRICKY IBJJF rules and LEAPFROG over your competition by knowing LEG ATTACKS and DEFENSES.