Learning Leg Bar in 4 Simple Steps

A leg bar is a submission hold used in certain grappling martial arts and in mixed martial arts matches. Just as an arm bar hyperextends the elbow, a leg bar hyperextends the knee, causing your opponent to submit or risk damage to his knee ligaments and tendons. The leg bar is an effective move if you get into the right position with your opponent on his back. Different scenarios can put you in position to try a leg bar, but once you're there, it's important to lock it in properly and make your opponent tap quickly.
Step 1
Wrap one arm around your opponent's leg when he is on the ground and you are either sitting or kneeling on his stomach, facing away from his head.
Step 2
Hold his leg close to your body and fall backward to the same side as the leg you are holding. His leg should lie between your own legs with his foot up near your head.
Step 3
Wind both of your legs around his leg to secure it in place, or put one of your feet against the inside of his free leg to stop him from kicking or rolling over.
Step 4
Arch your back slightly and pull back on his lower leg with both arms to hyperextend the knee. Place one hand near the ankle and one near the calf. His knee should rest on your inner thigh or your midsection, depending on your exact position. Continue to pull back on his leg until he taps out.