Ankle Locks Don't Work (And Other Lies) by David Mitchell

In Ankle Locks Don’t Work (And Other Lies), elite masters no-gi competitor David Mitchell breaks down the exact system he’s used to dominate world-class opposition—finishing 85% of his opponents, most of them by ankle lock.

• This isn’t YouTube gimmicks or outdated straight-ankle theory. This is a modern, competition-proven approach to leg locks built for no-gi, designed to work against skilled, resisting opponents who know the counters.
  
• David shows you how to turn the ankle lock into a primary finishing weapon, not a desperation move—using precise mechanics, control, and strategic setups that funnel opponents into submissions they can’t escape.
  
• If you’ve ever been told ankle locks don’t work at the highest levels, this course exists to prove the opposite.
  

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What Will You Learn?

For years, ankle locks have been dismissed as low-percentage, pain-only submissions that “don’t work at a high level.”

That’s a lie.

In Ankle Locks Don’t Work (And Other Lies), elite masters no-gi competitor David Mitchell breaks down the exact system he’s used to dominate world-class opposition—finishing 85% of his opponents, most of them by ankle lock.

This isn’t YouTube gimmicks or outdated straight-ankle theory. This is a modern, competition-proven approach to leg locks built for no-gi, designed to work against skilled, resisting opponents who know the counters.

David shows you how to turn the ankle lock into a primary finishing weapon, not a desperation move—using precise mechanics, control, and strategic setups that funnel opponents into submissions they can’t escape.

If you’ve ever been told ankle locks don’t work at the highest levels, this course exists to prove the opposite.

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What You’ll Learn

• A complete ankle lock system built specifically for modern no-gi competition

• How David achieves an 85% submission rate using ankle locks against elite opponents

• The exact breaking mechanics that make ankle locks reliable—not just painful

• How to control, off-balance, and trap opponents so escapes disappear

• Entries and setups that force predictable reactions (and easy finishes)

• How to chain ankle locks with transitions when opponents defend correctly

• Common mistakes that make ankle locks fail—and how to fix them immediately

• How to safely apply maximum pressure without relying on strength or flexibility

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Why This Course Is Different

• Taught by an extremely high-level masters competitor with countless no-gi titles

• Proven at the highest levels—not theory, not speculation

• Focused on repeatable results, not highlight-reel submissions

• Designed for grapplers who want submissions that work under real pressure

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Who This Is For

• No-gi athletes who want a reliable leg lock game

• Competitors tired of being told ankle locks “don’t count”

• Grapplers who want high-percentage submissions without chasing heel hooks

• Anyone who wants to finish more matches—especially against tough, experienced opponents

What Exactly Do You Get?

Part 1

• Intro
• Becoming a Short X King - Starting from the end - Ankle Lock Finishes
• What is the Short X? Butterfly Ashi? how to finish the ankle lock
• Additional angle to view the Short X Ankle Lock
• Heuristics to come up for sweep
• Secondary foot placement - Dos and Don'ts
• Troubleshooting and Queues

Part 2

• Grip Master Flex - All four grips - Sashimono - Rear Naked Grip - Make the Baby Cry
• Apollo Lock - other angle

Part 3

• Escalate The Pain - Elbow Kickstand
• Sole Crusher
• The 404 - Foot Not Found

Part 4

• Enter the Foot Dragon - Half Guard Swim Through
• K Guard to X
• K Guard to Short X
• Passing on Feet
• Alt Angle
• Passing on Knees
• Dynamic Entries

Part 5

• Shun The Non-Believer - Troubleshooting - Why He Prefers Short X To Outside Ashi - How To React To Common Defenses
• Using Distance, Addressing The Boot, Small Adjustments, Redoing The Bite
• Aoki, Being Proactive With Them Starting To Stand Up
• Aoki With Extra Defense If They're Savvy
• When To Belly Down
• How To Address When Your Opponent Starts To Stand Up
• Opponent Starts To Stand Up Part 2
• Controlling The Inside Space
• 1st Attacking When Opponent Is Standing
• Opponent Is Standing - Advanced Shin On Shin To Single Leg X To Short X
• Demoing Move

Part 6

• 50/50 And Saddle - 50/50 Demo And Tech
• Saddle Demo And Tech

Part 7

• Drills and Positionals
• Outro