Imanari Roll

What Is the Imanari Roll?

The Imanari Roll (also called the "Imanari entry" or "roll-under") is a leg lock entry unique to no-gi grappling and submission wrestling. Named after Japanese mixed martial artist and submission grappler Masakazu Imanari, the technique exploded in popularity during the 2010s no-gi leg lock revolution led by coaches like John Danaher and athletes such as Gary Tonon, Gordon Ryan, and Garry Tonon.

Unlike traditional leg lock entries that begin from a guard or closed position, the Imanari Roll is performed while on the feet or in a clinch — the attacker dives under the opponent's leg with a spinning roll, landing in a double leg entanglement (usually ashi garami or the saddle/411 position) from which heel hooks and other leg attacks are available immediately.

The roll's speed and surprise element make it exceptionally effective. Defenders rarely expect a full-body dive to the outside leg, and by the time they react, the attacker is already inside the leg entanglement.

How It Works

The Imanari Roll works by exploiting the outside leg of a standing opponent. The key mechanical phases are:

1. Angle setup: The attacker positions slightly to the outside of the opponent's lead leg, creating the entry angle.
2. Dive and roll: The attacker drops low and rolls forward under and around the outside of the opponent's lead leg. The roll is more of a "shoulder roll to the outside" than a straight forward roll — the body spirals under the leg.
3. Leg capture: As the roll completes, the attacker's legs wrap around the opponent's lead leg — the near leg goes between the opponent's legs, the far leg hooks over the opponent's thigh. This creates the ashi garami (inside heel hook) or saddle (outside heel hook) position.
4. Immediate attack: Without pausing, the attacker applies a heel hook or transitions to a knee bar depending on which leg entanglement was achieved.

The entire sequence can happen in under two seconds at competition speed. The attacker ends up controlling the opponent's leg while the opponent is either standing or falling — before they can establish any defensive base.

Setup & Entry Steps

From a Clinch or Tie-Up

1. Establish a collar tie or wrist control with the opponent's lead arm to distract their upper body attention.
2. Step to the outside of their lead leg, roughly 45 degrees off-angle.
3. Lower your level (level change) as if shooting a takedown — this masks the beginning of the roll.
4. Plant your outside hand on the mat, tuck your chin, and roll your outside shoulder forward and under the opponent's knee/thigh.
5. As you roll, your inside leg threads between their legs; your outside leg hooks over their far thigh.
6. Complete the roll. You should land in outside ashi garami or the 411 (saddle) position.
7. Immediately control their ankle, hip-escape away from them, and attack the heel hook or kneebar.

From a Standing Opponent Who Is Stepping Forward

When an opponent steps toward you aggressively, time the roll to coincide with their step. Their own forward momentum adds to the effectiveness — as they plant their lead foot, you're already rolling under it. The step gives you the leg and their momentum makes the position difficult to abandon.

From Open Guard

The Imanari Roll can also be deployed from a seated guard position when a standing opponent reaches down to grab your collar or legs. From seated, post one hand, roll to the side, and thread your legs around their lead leg in the same spiraling motion.

Variations

Inside Ashi Garami Entry (Inside Heel Hook)

The most common outcome. You end in single-leg ashi garami with their heel in your armpit for an inside heel hook. Inside heel hooks rotate the knee inward — highly effective and allowed in many rulesets.

Outside Ashi / 411 Entry (Outside Heel Hook)

If your roll takes the opponent's leg to the outside (your feet pointing the same direction as their toes), you may land in the saddle/411 position for an outside heel hook. This requires slightly more precise alignment during the roll.

Kneebar Roll

Rather than a heel hook, some grapplers complete the Imanari Roll and immediately extend for a kneebar, especially when the opponent's leg straightens as they try to escape. This variation requires catching the knee hyperextension quickly before the opponent can stack or disengage.

Back Roll (Reverse Imanari)

A less common variation where the roll is performed backward — the attacker falls back rather than forward. This can catch opponents who have been trained to base against the forward roll, but it sacrifices some of the speed advantage.

Counters & Defense

• Sprawl immediately: As soon as you detect a low level change or the beginning of the roll, sprawl your hips back hard. This removes the targeted leg before the roll can complete.
• Step away from the roll: Circle out away from the roll direction. If the attacker is rolling to your right, step hard to your left — you withdraw the leg before they can capture it.
• Don't reach down: Many Imanari entries are triggered when you reach for your opponent's legs or collar. Stay upright and defensive with your arms.
• Hip control awareness: If caught in the early phases, immediately face toward the attacker and work to get your hips away. Never turn away from them.
• Reap counter: Advanced players who understand leg lock positions can sometimes reap into a heel hook counter when caught in the beginning of the roll — only attempt this if you deeply understand leg lock safety.

Competition Use

The Imanari Roll has produced numerous competition highlight reel submissions across ADCC, EBI, UFC, Bellator, and professional grappling events. Its surprise factor makes it especially effective against opponents who are not well-versed in modern leg lock defense.

Ruleset notes:

• IBJJF: Heel hooks (the usual finish) are illegal below brown belt in gi and often restricted in no-gi too. The entry itself is not illegal, but the submissions available from the position are limited.
• ADCC: All leg attacks are legal in the final third of each match (after points can be scored). Heel hooks are legal for the full match at some weight classes. The Imanari Roll is a staple weapon.
• EBI / Sub-Only: All submissions legal. The Imanari Roll is extremely high-percentage in these formats.
• MMA: Heel hooks are legal in most MMA organizations including the UFC. The Imanari Roll has produced MMA stoppages — most famously by Masakazu Imanari himself.