Lockflow's Reilly Bodycomb Discusses the Leg Lock Game on USCOMBATSPORTS.

Lockflow Captain Reilly Bodycomb talks with Uscombatsports.com about leg locks in the grappling game. 

Here at Lockflow.com we have been spoiled by Reilly Bodycomb being one of our members for a while now. He has added to all of our leg lock games, and we considered him one of our best kept secrets. Unfortunately, all secrets eventually get out, and as such, Mr Bodycomb is fast becoming considered one of the experts on leg locks in the game.

Although we are very happy for him and his success, I miss the days of locking people into the leg knot and having them say "What the hell was that?". Now, The just see it coming and tell me, "I've seen Riley's videos too". Oh well, the good ol' days. 

Enjoy this interview with Reilly Bodycomb on UScombatsports.com.

"Leg Locks are regarded by many as some of the most advanced techniques in grappling and MMA today. Over the years there have been many misconceptions concerning these advanced techniques. In this interview International Sambo Champion Reilly Bodycomb discusses all the aspects about these confounding techniques to help practitioners get a better understanding of them.

How has the use of leg locks changed the dynamics of submission grappling?

Reilly: Every combat sport style is defined by its rules. The behavior that works or is encouraged in one may not necessarily work in the other. It’s important to make the distinction between BJJ (a sport with a Gi and limited legal attacks on the legs) and Submission Grappling (a sport that is, at its heart, a mixed martial art). The unmodified tactics of BJJ will not necessarily work in the mixed discipline sport of Submission Grappling.For the most part, however, the tactics of BJJ have worked over the past several years because the majority of athletes competing in Submission Grappling in America were, primarily, BJJ practitioners. Because in the sport of Gi Jiu Jitsu (IBJJF rules) you cannot attack the legs in the same manner as you can in let’s say Sambo or Catch Wrestling, certain techniques developed to take advantage of this. As more athletes from other sports enter Submission Grappling in this country, or athletes with roots in BJJ who acquire techniques from these other sports start doing leg locks, we will see an inherent change in grappling tactics develop.  Some are quick to adapt, others get utterly destroyed by their own lack of knowledge.

What are some of the benefits a practitioner can gain from learning leg locks?

Reilly: NOT learning leg locks is like learning half of ground fighting. The boxer/ kickboxer analogy is still apt, however there is certainly something to be said for ‘expertise’ or style, and not everyone is going to be good at everything in grappling. Even if you are fantastic at an armbar from guard, if you do not know how to do it without getting ankle locked then, in my opinion, you do not know how to do it. I do not blame or fault BJJ schools for not teaching leg locks extensively, as they are not a major part of competitive BJJ. But, if someone wants to gain an advantage in MMA or NOGI grappling, where these moves are legal, then perhaps cross training at a gym or with a coach who really understands them is necessary.

Speaking of instruction as a Sambo grappler, how do Sambo leg locks differ from those taught in BJJ?

Reilly: The rules decide how we train. In Sambo (sport, combat, or freestyle) the rules vary on which leg locks are legal. In all three styles of Sambo, however, more extensive control of the legs is allowed than in BJJ due to a BJJ rule called ‘reaping the knee.’ This rule states that you cannot drop your leg over your opponent’s leg in order to point their knee and hip inward toward their free leg. This seemingly minor rule makes all the difference in the world when trying to properly control the legs.Also, the scoring system dictates behavior as well.  There are no points for passing the guard in Sambo. Therefore, attacking the legs from within your opponent’s guard after a takedown is much more common as you are not awarded for the sometimes long and arduous practice of passing the guard. Of course, upper body submissions are legal and effective in Sambo. However, there is limited ground time in Sambo competitions, so if you land in the guard after a throw you most likely will not have time to pass the guard unless you can do it extremely quickly. If you take too long to begin a submission attempt you will be stood up by the ref. Because of this, even someone with an excellent top game will usually attack the legs as it is a quicker option to passing the guard. These three rule differences make up the majority of why the leg locks in these respective sports are different.

One of the debatable topics about leg locks is the use of the Heel Hook, why do you think this move is so controversial?

Reilly: Heel hooks are not very painful, and can often cause damage before an opponent realizes they are in danger. I agree that they are dangerous because of this. It should be known that they are NOT legal in most Sambo competitions either, contrary to popular belief. They are, however, legal in MMA and Submission Grappling, so it is an easy adaptation for those who are already familiar with leg control to add heel hooks into their game. I think that in advanced or pro divisions, they are perfectly fine, as high level grapplers should be able to recognize when they are in trouble."

For the rest of the interview, visit...

http://uscombatsports.com/index.php?option=com_flexicontent&view=items&cid=191&id=8896&Itemid=27