Ratchet Control

Add rotation when controlling a limb to increase effectiveness.

Popularized by our friend Rob Biernacki from Island Top Team, ratchet control refers to making a capital “L” shape with your opponent's arm or leg, and rotating it like you'd rotate an Allen/hex key when assembling IKEA furniture.

Turning your opponent's limbs into a ratchet is always a great idea because the angle and rotation make it nearly impossible for them to muscle out, no matter how big and strong they are.

Let's dig deeper into this concept of ratchet control, and how it can level up your Jiu-Jitsu.

Types of ratchet control

Ratchet control can be either external or internal, depending on the direction of rotation.

External ratchet control involves rotating a limb within its natural range of motion, forcing it to flare as it approaches its anatomical limit. Examples include Americanas and knee flares.

Internal ratchet control involves rotating a limb against its natural range of motion, forcing it into a compromised position. Examples include Kimuras and heel hooks.

While external ratchet control is useful, it may allow your opponent to maintain body alignment and continue facing you during your attack.

On the other hand, internal ratchet control has the distinct advantage of forcing your opponent to turn away. This is why strategies such as the Kimura trap and backside 50-50 are so useful: they force your opponent to expose their back.

Creating an “L” with their limb

If you want to control their arm or leg like a ratchet, your goal is to bend it into a capital “L” shape. You're trying to bend their limb into a 90° angle and pull it away from their torso. That's the Allen/hex key shape we talked about earlier.

The “L” shape is so powerful because:

#1: it pulls the middle joint (meaning the elbow or knee) away from the torso, which makes it harder to coil in defense,

#2: it takes your opponent's body out of alignment by creating an awkward angle that makes it hard for them to escape using muscle, and

#3: it creates that powerful 90° “ratchet” effect, and much like an actual mechanic's ratchet, this maximizes torque generated.

Note that sometimes you either can't quite secure the perfect “L” shape, or you're doing something where an “L” shape wouldn't make sense. For example, an armbar involves hyperextending a straightened arm, so a 90° ratchet angle wouldn't help. And in the case of a guillotine, because you're attacking the neck and not a limb, the capital “L” shape isn't feasible.

But in those situations, rotation still helps.

Even when ratchet control in that 90° “L” shape doesn't make sense, adding some rotation can still make your technique more effective.

For example, when you're attempting an armbar, by adding a bit of rotation you twist the arm such that they can't use their bicep strength to assist in defending. This is why many modern armbars involve “putting their elbow in your pocket” rather than pulling their arm back in a straight line.

Once you start adding a bit of “twist” to your techniques, you'll be amazed at how a little rotation can improve the effectiveness of your Jiu-Jitsu...especially if you can bend their limb into an “L” and get some ratchet action.

On the podcast:

• Ep. 124: Ratchet Control, feat. Matt Kwan

Further study:

• Theory of Alignment
• Breaking Mechanics
• Torque