Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art known for its intricate ground fighting techniques, from sweeps, passes, and even submissions. One of the more unique and, in many cases, underutilized submissions is the calf crank. This technique targets the lower leg muscles, primarily causing pain by compressing the calf against the shinbone. While less commonly seen in traditional BJJ competitions due to its potentially dangerous nature, the calf crank is an excellent submission in all aspects of grappling and can even be used in MMA. Today, we will go over the basics of this amazing technique.
The Mechanics Of The Calf Crank
The calf crank is typically applied when an opponent attempts to escape or counter a position, leaving their legs vulnerable. Basically, you use your own leg to hook and bend the opponent’s leg at the knee. Then, by positioning your shin against the back of the opponent’s calf and securing the foot in place, pressure is applied by driving your hips forward or pulling back on the leg. This movement presses the opponent’s calf muscle against their own shinbone, creating crushing pressure.
Setting Up The Calf Crank
One standard entry into the calf crank comes from the truck position, a control position where one combatant hooks one of the opponent’s legs with both of theirs. The truck position, while highly effective, is also, in many ways, an exotic position. But this doesn’t mean that it is not practical. On the contrary, the truck is a great position to control the opponent and can be used as a launching pad for transitions and attacks. From the truck, insert your leg across the back of the opponent’s knee and start applying pressure. Another frequent setup is during scrambles, especially when opponents leave their legs entangled without proper protection.
Applications And Basic Strategy
The effectiveness of the calf crank in BJJ, submission grappling, and MMA relies on the fact that it is quite secure once fully locked in. It is also a favorable technique regardless of body type and athletic abilities.
In many cases, the mere threat of the calf crank is enough to force mistakes and can compromise your opponent’s position. For example, applying a calf crank can cause an opponent to release their grips or change their position, thus allowing you to advance or escape a tough situation.
As far as the application is concerned, you can apply the calf crank using positions like the truck; you can also integrate it as part of a larger system. The calf crank is a great supporting submission if you like to play the leg lock game; you can also add it to your game if you like to do rolling back takes. Remember that there are thousands of techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is a must to build a style that can help you chain one technique to the rest. By creating systems for each of the major positions in BJJ, you can drastically increase your learning and, in turn, improve your overall game.
Practical Implications In Competitions
Due to the risk of injury associated with calf cranks, many Gi BJJ tournaments ban this technique at all belt levels. The potential for sudden muscle strains, ligament tears, and even fractures makes it a controversial submission. However, the calf crank is more commonly seen in No-Gi grappling competitions and professional mixed martial arts (MMA), though the rules can vary significantly between organizations.
Defending Against The Calf Crank
The best defense against a calf crank is awareness and prevention. Practitioners are advised to keep their legs secure and be mindful of leaving limbs isolated, which could be exploited by an opponent. If caught in a calf crank, the key to escaping is to relieve the pressure quickly by moving with the force of the crank or trying to undo the leg entanglement before the full pressure is applied.
Risks And General Safety
The calf crank is not a beginner technique and should be practiced with caution. The intense pressure it creates can lead to severe injuries if not applied or defended correctly.
Nevertheless, we believe that these types of submissions should be studied at least so that students can understand the value of the technique. Just like other potentially risky submissions like the heel hook, Z lock, and others, extreme care should be practiced when training the calf crank to ensure proper learning without the risk of injuries. Both executing and resisting this technique require a good understanding of the mechanics and an awareness of the body’s limitations.
Training And Mastery
Like all BJJ techniques, mastery of the calf crank comes down to repetition and understanding. You should learn under the supervision of a qualified instructor and practice with partners who are aware of the technique’s risks. Training should focus on the correct setup, execution, and, most importantly, safety measures to prevent injuries.
If you are new to the technique, it is a good idea to ask your instructor or seniors in the class for assistance. Understand the underlying mechanics of the technique and slowly integrate it into your drills and sparring sessions. Do not focus on getting taps at the onset; rather, master the entries and basics of execution first. Doing this will make the journey of learning the submission much easier
Conclusion
In conclusion, the calf crank is a powerful and effective submission technique in BJJ, especially effective in No-Gi and mixed martial arts. Its use in competitions is restricted due to the high injury risk, but when applied correctly, it can be an excellent tool for forcing opponents into submission or manipulating their position.
As with all advanced techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practitioners should approach the calf crank with respect for the technique’s effectiveness and potential for harm, ensuring a safe and responsible practice environment. Try the calf crank today, and let us know if it works for you.
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