Three Technique Videos For Developing Footlock Mastery

Three Technique Videos For Developing Footlock Mastery

A black belt under the legendary Roger Gracie, Oliver Geddes is a prolific teacher, referee and competitor. Known primarily as a half guard player, he added footlocks into his game and developed a series of entries and transitions that he uses against hig

Jul 19, 2016 by Hywel Teague
Three Technique Videos For Developing Footlock Mastery
A black belt under the legendary Roger Gracie, Oliver Geddes is a prolific teacher, referee and competitor. Known primarily as a half guard player, he added footlocks into his game and developed a series of entries and transitions that he uses against high level players who weren't willing to engage in his favorite position. 

Using positions such as the shin-to-shin guard and the overhook X-guard, Geddes has created a whole series of attacks that force opponents to completely adapt their defensive strategy. 

His background as a referee has also helped him devise a system that is completely legal under IBJJF rules, applicable to all gi competitors.  

"The intent was always to look at ways that the basic ankle lock could be tweaked for maximum effectiveness. Jiu-jitsu is a sport, and in any sport you need to know what the rules are, and which way your game can evolve to take advantage of what is and what isn't legal." 

Every technique included on the instructional is legal at the white belt level, so no complaints from your training partners that you're busting out techniques they aren't allowed to do!

Leg locks are trending right now with the focus very much on attacks such as heel hooks, kneebars and toeholds. But there has been a recent resurgence in leg attacks in the gi, which Geddes believes will only continue. 

"In the IBJJF gi and no-gi ruleset, we are seeing a lot of finishes with kneebars, toeholds and straight ankle lock variations. The old attitudes of leg attacks being 'cheap' or 'dirty' has gone out of the window, and now a pressure passer can change his attack to go for a fight ending toehold, or an x-guard sweep can seamlessly change to a kneebar. There is always another avenue of attack in every transition." 

Below you'll find three technique videos that can help toward developing footlock mastery. These were taken from Oli's new instructional series, which you can find available for purchase here: www.footlockmastery.com