The Evolution Of A Meta: How This Leg Lock Is Changing Before Our Eyes
The Evolution Of A Meta: How This Leg Lock Is Changing Before Our Eyes
See how Nicky Ryan used a unique ashi garami/leg entanglement - and how that position continued to evolve with a counter from Deandre Corbe at WNO.
One of the most interesting parts of grappling is seeing how it continues to evolve, even in small positions. Professional athletes and coaches are constantly looking for new and novel ways to initiate or counter existing techniques or strategies, and the moves trickle outward through jiu-jitsu from there. For a good recent example, we can look at the leg lock position that Nicky Ryan used recently at WNO 23 - and how Deandre Corbe answered that position with a counter at WNO 24 against a B-Team athlete.
For all the examples of what we are talking about, including explanations from Nicky Ryan, please watch the accompanying video.
When Nicky faced off with JT Torres, JT entered into the saddle/cross ashi position - somewhat surprising given his relatively small history with leg locks compared to Nicky Ryan. From there, Nicky answered back quickly by pummeling his legs to his own single leg X/irimi ashi position. Because of the foot placement created by Nicky's re-pummeling counter, JT's secondary leg was trapped and useless in the position. From there, it was only a matter of time until Nicky latched onto the achilles grip and got the submission win.
Nicky joined FloGrappling to discuss the win and the finer technical points. As a counter to the saddle, this re-pummel is one that isn't necessarily brand new but it was the best example we have seen at the highest levels of competition. The cross ashi is no longer the safe position to attack from that it once was, and this match stands as proof.
What's really interesting is what we have seen since. At WNO 24, just a few weeks ago, Deandre Corbe of Standard took on Nicky's teammate Ethan Crelinsten in a battle of highly technical and accomplished grappling stars. In that match, Deandre entered into cross ashi (with a very adept spin following a failed kani basami-style entry from guard) and Ethan went right to that same pummeling answer. Then, we saw Deandre begin to work.
The most important aspect of this counter was that Deandre was able to keep moving his hips in a way JT was never able to, initiating an inversion and a roll that loosened the leg position. Corbe was then able to transition from the trapped cross ashi position to the 50/50 and eventually the outside sankaku that Lachlan Giles made famous in 2019. Though Crelinsten escaped, he was having to defend some very deep entanglements - it was truly two leg locking experts at work.
It can be that simple - the world saw a crazy submission at WNO 23, one that is replicable and useful at the highest levels of the sport, and by the very next WNO we were already seeing counters arising.
That's not to suggest that Deandre and his team at Standard saw Nicky/JT and specifically studied this position or strategy and found that counter. They very well have already been on this - or Corbe may have found himself there for the first time and used his grappling instincts to keep moving. The point here is the speed of this evolution, and how the game is constantly evolving forward.
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