The figure 4 leglock is one of the most efficient female wrestling submission holds. Because the move involves a bending of the knee the way it’s not supposed to bend, and because it is extremely difficult to get out of it is likely to extract submission from even the toughest wrestlerettes.

The defender (better call her victim) is on her back on the floor, with the attacker holding her legs up. The attacker steps between the defender’s legs and then spins around holding one of the legs. The spinning motion will bend the leg at the knee. The attacker them picks up the other leg and holding it out straight, tucks the bent leg (usually the victim’s ankle) above the knee of the straight leg. She then steps forward with her free leg past her opponent’s locked foot and falls back. When it’s locked in, the stretched out leg of the victim has the foot resting on the attacker’s lower stomach. The attacker can then increase pressure on the knee by thrusting her pelvis forward.

Possible escape:  the victim can turn unto her stomach turning her opponent too and thus reversing the hold.

Rating: extremely efficient submission hold. The attacker uses very little force and energy to cause a disproportionate amount of discomfort for the victim. The fig 4 will almost always result in “I give” cries.