Under the IBJJF Illegal Moves table, heel hooks are legal only for adult brown and black belt in no-gi; illegal for masters, the gi, and every age and belt below adult brown belt. White belts cannot use them in gi or no-gi.
The short rules answer
Heel-hook legality changes by ruleset, belt level, age division, and gi versus no-gi.
The IBJJF Technical Fouls & Illegal Moves table — published with the Rule Book on the IBJJF Books and Videos page — makes heel hooks legal only for adult brown and black belt in no-gi; illegal for masters, the gi, and every age and belt below adult brown belt. Knee-twisting locks and knee reaping follow the same split. White belts should assume heel hooks are illegal in IBJJF-style divisions.
IBJJF’s official rules-update page states that heel hooks and knee reaping for adult brown and black no-gi took effect on 1 January 2021. In the gi they are illegal at every belt, including black belt.
Official ADCC rules for the World Championship and Trials list any leg lock or ankle lock as legal, so heel hooks are legal there. The ADCC Opens use their own grid, where heel hooks are illegal in every kids and teen division (under 18) and masters at beginner/intermediate level; legal for adults at every level and masters at advanced level. Adult white to purple belts compete at beginner/intermediate level. The submission legality matrix shows each of those divisions. Some local no-gi events copy the ADCC catalog; others do not. Check the exact rulebook before competing.
Why beginners should be careful
- Heel hooks attack rotational knee structures, not just the foot
- Damage can happen before a partner feels obvious pain
- Fast finishing pressure is unsafe in beginner rooms
- Training partners need clear tapping habits and agreed rules
How to study leg locks responsibly
Learn positions first
Understand control positions, knee line, and safe escape timing before chasing finishes.
Separate training from competition
A technique can be valuable to understand in the gym even when it is illegal in your current tournament division.
Key Takeaways
- For IBJJF white belts, heel hooks are illegal in gi and no-gi.
- Since 1 January 2021, IBJJF heel hooks are legal only for adult brown and black belt in no-gi; illegal for masters, the gi, and every age and belt below adult brown belt.
- ADCC World Championship and Trials rules allow any leg lock, so heel hooks are legal there. At the ADCC Opens they are illegal in every kids and teen division (under 18) and masters at beginner/intermediate level; legal for adults at every level and masters at advanced level.
Further Study
IBJJF Books and Videos (Rule Book & Illegal Moves poster)
Official IBJJF Rule Book (v6.1) and Technical Fouls & Illegal Moves downloads. Confirm your age, belt, and gi/no-gi column.
IBJJF heel hook and knee reaping update
Official IBJJF notice: heel hooks and knee reaping for adult brown and black no-gi, in effect since 1 January 2021.
ADCC Rules and Regulations
Official ADCC rules PDF (version of 2026-10-19, linked from adcc-official.com): the legal and illegal techniques lists, and how the Opens modify them.
Submission legality matrix: IBJJF, ADCC, NAGA, Grappling Industries
Heel-hook legality for every IBJJF, ADCC Opens, NAGA and Grappling Industries division side by side.
Heel Hook
Leg lock mechanics and rules context.
Straight Ankle Lock
A common starting point for leg lock education.
Knee Bar
A related leg attack with its own rules restrictions.
What is the difference between IBJJF and ADCC rules?
A broader comparison of scoring and legality differences.
What submissions are illegal for kids and juveniles in IBJJF?
Age-column table for kids and juveniles — do not use this adult white-belt page for a 15-year-old.
