While some traditionalists caution against early adoption of Heel Hooks in BJJ practitioner’s practice, ADCC medalist Giancarlo Bodoni says that even white belts should be taught them.
Bodoni’s stance is rooted in the belief that the real danger in submissions lies not in the techniques themselves – but in the lack of control and understanding:
It’s important, I think, to learn both upper and lower body submissions and get comfortable with them – regardless of your skill level.
Because the danger that comes from submissions is more so from lack of control, as opposed to the submission itself.
He continues to elaborate:
It’s not inherently more dangerous to do a Heel Hook than it is to do a Kimura. for example, which is something that you learn very early in Jiu-Jitsu.
And so, as long as they understand the technique and understand the submissions if applied quickly and without control, without emphasis on control, are really what is the danger.
It’s not the actual submission itself, it’s the people that are applying it.
People need to get familiar with the position, elaborates Bodoni:
It’s more so I think about creating the proper awareness and training environment.
And then also, a lot of people that get injured and Heel Hooks tend to get injured because they don’t know the position.
They freak out, and then they try to twist and turn and spin out in the wrong way just because they don’t have an awareness.
Listen to more of Bodoni’s thoughts on the topic, on the video below:
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