Also known as: Toehold · Figure-Four Footlock · Ashi Dori Garami
A figure-four grip on the foot that turns the sole toward their same-side hip — attacking the ankle first and the knee close behind. Quietly one of the highest-percentage gi leg locks at brown and black.
Submission · Ankle Lock · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt
Starts from Saddle as the attacking player → ends the match (submission).
The details that make it work
Grip the foot across the toes (fingers over the blade of the foot), your other arm threading under to grab your own wrist.
Turn the sole toward their butt-cheek on the same side — "signing your name" with their foot.
Elbows tight to your ribs; the finish is a small, firm rotation, not a wide swing.
Where it goes wrong
Gripping mid-foot instead of the toes, halving your lever.
How opponents counter it
Straighten the leg and boot before the figure-four locks
Roll toward the twist to unwind it
Is the Toe Hold legal in competition?
IBJJF: brown and black belt only (gi and no-gi). Legal in ADCC and sub-only.