Why Legalizing Heel Hooks in Gi Competitions Could Elevate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Mikey Musumeci, a prominent BJJ world champion, has sparked debate by advocating for the legalisation of heel hooks in gi competitions for black belts. His proposal challenges decades of tradition but aligns with evolving trends in the sport, emphasising increased submissions, viewer engagement, and athlete adaptability.

Mikey Musumeci’s Key Arguments

- Unifying Rulesets: Musumeci argues that aligning gi and no-gi rules would ease transitions for competitors, reducing the technical divide between the two disciplines [1][4].

- Boosting Submissions and Viewership: He believes legalising heel hooks would raise submission rates, making gi matches more dynamic and appealing to audiences [2][4]. This could enhance earning potential for athletes through sponsorships and event revenue [1] [4].

- Countering Stalling Tactics: The 50/50 guard, often criticised for stalling, could be mitigated by the threat of heel hooks, forcing athletes to engage more proactively [2][6].

Addressing Safety and Tradition

Critics often cite safety concerns, but Musumeci and supporters note that heel hooks—when trained responsibly—are no more dangerous than other leg locks [2][3]. The IBJJF’s 2020 decision to permit heel hooks in no-gi for brown and black belts demonstrated their viability in regulated environments [3][5], undermining appeals to tradition.

Precedents and Broader Support

- The IBJJF’s no-gi rule change reflects a growing acceptance of leg locks, with athletes like Buchecha and Bia Mesquita also endorsing heel hooks in the gi [6].

- Leg locks are now essential in high-level competition, with heel hooks playing a pivotal role in events like ADCC [3].

Potential Impact on the Sport

Legalising heel hooks could:

- Reduce reliance on positional scoring by prioritising submissions.

- Modernise gi competitions, aligning them with no-gi’s progressive meta.

- Attract new fans through faster-paced, submission-focused matches [1][4].

While traditionalists may resist, Musumeci’s vision aligns with BJJ’s evolution. As the sport grows, embracing innovation while maintaining safety protocols could solidify its appeal for athletes and audiences alike.

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Sources

[1] https://www.bjjee.com/bjj-news/mikey-musumeci-says-heel-hooks-should-be-legal-in-the-gi/

[2] Mikey Musumeci Believes That Heel Hooks Should Be Legal In The Gi https://jitsmagazine.com/mikey-musumeci-beleives-that-heel-hooks-should-be-legal-in-the-gi/

[3] Everything You Need To Know About Heel Hooks https://www.bjjee.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-heel-hooks/

[4] Mikey Musumeci Says Heel Hooks Should Be Legal In The Gi https://www.bjjee.com/bjj-news/mikey-musumeci-says-heel-hooks-should-be-legal-in-the-gi/

[5] GB Technique: Heel Hook : Attack and Escape - Gracie Barra https://graciebarra.com/gb-news/gb-technique-heel-hook-attack-and-escape/

[6] Grappling Bulletin: Will We Ever See Heel Hooks in the Gi? https://www.flograppling.com/articles/7708163-grappling-bulletin-will-we-ever-see-heel-hooks-in-the-gi

[7] Does anyone know about good instructionals over Straight Ankle ... https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/11u6pmh/does_anyone_know_about_good_instructionals_over/

[8] Will We Ever See Heel Hooks in the Gi? | Grappling Bulletin (Ep. 54) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKtEsDeYJ0Y

[9] Are Heel Hooks Overrated? A Grappling Study https://www.bjjheroes.com/editorial/are-heel-hooks-over-rated-a-grappling-study

[10] Mikey Musumeci: Inside The Mind Of A BJJ Genius (Guide) https://bjjequipment.com/mikey-musumeci/

[11] Are Heel Hooks the Key to ADCC Success? https://www.bjjheroes.com/editorial/are-heel-hooks-the-key-to-adcc-success

[12] Mikey Musumeci Reveals Why He Won't Be Competing In The IBJJF ... https://www.bjjee.com/bjj-news/mikey-musumeci-reveals-why-he-wont-be-competing-in-the-ibjjf-gi-world-championship-ever-again/

[13] BJJ 101: Heel Hooks https://evolve-mma.com/blog/bjj-101-heel-hooks/

[14] Mikey Musumeci Teaches the 'Mikey Lock' Heel Hook That Can't Be ... https://sensobjj.com/blogs/graciemag-1/mikey-musumeci-teaches-the-mikey-lock-heel-hook-that-can-t-be-defended

[15] Heel Hook: A Lethal Leg-lock Submission https://www.elitesports.com/blogs/news/heel-hook-a-lethal-leg-lock-submission

[16] Mikey Musumeci just invented a new amazing foot look that ... - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/qifg40/mikey_musumeci_just_invented_a_new_amazing_foot/

[17] Should Heel Hooks Be Legal in the Gi? Robert Drysdale Has an Interesting Point Of View https://www.bjjee.com/articles/should-heel-hooks-be-legal-in-the-gi-robert-drysdale-has-an-interesting-point-of-view/

[18] Mikey Musumeci welcomes Heel Hooks to the Gi, reveals return date https://bjjdoc.com/2025/03/31/mikey-musumeci-welcomes-heel-hooks-to-the-gi-reveals-return-date/

[19] Grappling Bulletin: The Fastest Subs on WNO, Plus The History of ... https://www.flograppling.com/articles/7074498-grappling-bulletin-the-fastest-subs-on-wno-plus-the-history-of-heel-hooks

[20] Twists and Turns: Incorporating the Heel Hook into Your Ground Game https://blog.spartacus-mma.com/heel-hook/

[21] 5 Killer Moves From 2 Time Black Belt World Champion Mikey ... https://bjjfanatics.com/blogs/news/5-killer-moves-from-2-time-black-belt-world-champion-mikey-musumeci