I heel hook everyone..

including the children...


especially them.

I don't like heel hooks, especially in gi. I don't use them ever in rolling. That being said, I think it's important that people are exposed to them and understand how to apply and escape them. So many gi players also roll no gi. When I teach, I will often show techniques with the proviso that they are extremely dangerous and should not be used in friendly rolling. But I do want my students to know how to avoid and escape these techniques, and if they are to learn how to escape, then someone has to apply the technique so they can practice avoiding it. I also think exposure is important so that people understand that if an opponent does apply a heel hook (or wrist lock, etc.) that it is best to tap immediately even if you don't feel the need, before there is serious damage,

Where I train now, people do heel hook in the gi... that being said I find it much easier to defend in the gi (not requiring as rapid an action) and relatively more difficult to finish on similarly-skilled opponents. Overall, I personally choose to stay away from heel hooking in the gi as it doesn't fit the style of tournament I would choose to compete in, but I have done it before.

I also teach Sambo and assist in the Luta Livre classes, so we teach them even with wrestling shoes on.

Competition-oriented gym so no heelhooking in the gi, the standard is IBJJF rules. I appreciate a heads-up if people at open mats or camps etc. will go for heelhooks in the gi; then I'm okay with it.

No-gi by our standards is ADCC rules, so heelhook everybody. :D If I know my partner in no-gi is a beginner or a lower belt prepping for an IBJJF no-gi tourney, then I ask if they want to play with heelhooks.

I have a 14yo brother. I can support this.

I've seen "We Heel Hook in the Gi" written on the walls of a gym on YouTube. I guess you know what's up when you walk into that school.