Heel Hook or Kneebar?
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This weekend @bellatormma @neimangracie finished Jon Fitch with a hybrid heel hook / kneebar. What was the the finish? He tapped, why does this even matter?
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Understanding the kinesiology of the knee and breaking mechanics are critical to be an effective finisher.
The knee has 2 degrees of freedom:
1️⃣Sagittal (flexion, extension)
2️⃣Transverse (rotation)
A kneebar is a linear submission (hyperextension) while a heel hook is a rotational submission (hyperrotation).
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The knee only can rotate when there is a slight bend (flexion) and as the knee straightens it becomes locked via bony alignment of the femur and tibia. This is referred to as the “screw home mechanism”. Approx 20 degrees of flexion the tibia starts to externally rotate and “locks” at 0 degrees of extension. The movement initially tightens the cruciate ligaments (ACL, PCL), but once extension is achieved the knee is stable. Thus when the knee is fully extended the knee no longer has the ability for rotation to occur.
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Why is this important? By continuing to attempt knee rotation when a knee is fully extended you will likely not create sufficient breaking power to elicit a tap or disable your opponent.
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In the case of Gracie, he attacked with an inside heel hook and in the process the knee fully straightened. Opposed to continuing tibial rotation he transitioned to hyperextension force. Thus I would argue the set up was a heel hook and the finish was that of a kneebar.