What is the Imanari Roll?

The Imanari Roll is a standing-to-leg-entanglement entry developed by Masakazu Imanari that converts a standing exchange into a leg-lock position in a single rolling motion.

How does the Imanari Roll work mechanically?

The attacker drops to the floor on their side, plants one shoulder, and rolls under the opponent's body while hooking the lead leg. They emerge with the captured leg locked in a saddle or single-leg-X figure-four configuration, allowing immediate access to the inside heel hook.

What are the risks of using the Imanari Roll?

The technique exposes the attacker while rolling underneath the opponent, which an alert opponent can punish with a back-take. It is most effective against opponents committed to a wrestling-style standing exchange who have not yet recognized the leg-lock threat.

What are common mistakes to avoid when performing the Imanari Roll?

Common mistakes include telegraphing the roll, failing to hook the lead leg during the motion, rolling into open space, trying the technique against an aware opponent, and failing to lock the figure-four immediately upon emerging.

Who are notable practitioners of the Imanari Roll?

Notable practitioners include Masakazu Imanari, who popularized the technique in the early 2000s, as well as Garry Tonon and Craig Jones, who have continued the tradition in modern no-gi competition.

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IMANARI ROLL

Rolamento Imanari

In Short

The Imanari Roll is a standing-to-leg-entanglement entry that converts a standing exchange into a leg-lock position in a single rolling motion. Developed by Masakazu Imanari, it involves dropping to the floor, rolling under the opponent, and capturing the lead leg in a saddle or single-leg-X configuration for an inside heel hook.

Also known as: Rolling Leg Entry, Diving Heel Hook Entry

The Imanari roll is the standing-to-leg-entanglement entry developed and popularized by Japanese MMA grappler Masakazu Imanari in the early 2000s. The technique converts a standing exchange into a leg-lock position in a single rolling motion — the attacker drops to the floor, rolls under the opponent's legs, and emerges with one of the opponent's legs captured in a saddle or single-leg-X configuration suitable for the inside heel hook finish.

The mechanics begin from a standing exchange where the attacker has identified the opponent's lead leg as the attack target. The attacker drops to the floor on their side, plants one shoulder, and rolls under the opponent's body, simultaneously hooking the lead leg with one of their own legs. As the roll completes, the attacker emerges with the captured leg locked in the figure-four configuration of the saddle (or, alternatively, single-leg-X), with immediate access to the inside heel hook.

The Imanari roll is one of the most dramatic standing-entry techniques in modern grappling and one of the few that produces direct leg-lock access from a no-grip standing exchange. The cost is exposure during the rolling moment — the attacker is briefly underneath the opponent and committed to a specific direction, which an alert opponent can punish with a back-take. For this reason the technique is most effective against opponents who are themselves committed to a wrestling-style standing exchange and have not yet recognized the leg-lock threat. Masakazu Imanari used it extensively in early-2000s MMA; Garry Tonon, Craig Jones, and the modern no-gi competitive roster have continued the tradition.

KEY POINTS

01Identify the opponent's lead leg as the attack target.
02Drop to the floor on your side and plant one shoulder.
03Roll under the opponent's body, hooking the lead leg with one of your legs.
04Emerge with the captured leg in saddle or single-leg-X figure-four.
05Use against opponents committed to wrestling-style standing exchange.

COMMON MISTAKES

✕Telegraphing the roll, allowing the opponent to step away.
✕Failing to hook the lead leg during the rolling motion.
✕Rolling into open space rather than capturing the leg.
✕Trying the technique against an opponent already aware of leg-lock threats.
✕Failing to lock the figure-four immediately upon emerging.

TRAINING DRILLS

→Rolling reps: 30 reps practicing the drop-and-roll motion solo.
→Leg-hook timing drill: drill timing the leg hook to the opponent's lead step.
→Roll-to-saddle drill: complete the roll and immediately lock the saddle figure-four on a compliant partner.
→Standing-exchange entry drill: from a standing exchange, identify the moment to commit to the Imanari roll.
→Live no-gi standing rounds with Imanari roll as a permitted entry.

NOTABLE PRACTITIONERS

Masakazu Imanari · Garry Tonon · Craig Jones

Frequently Asked

What is the Imanari Roll?: The Imanari Roll is a standing-to-leg-entanglement entry developed by Masakazu Imanari that converts a standing exchange into a leg-lock position in a single rolling motion.
How does the Imanari Roll work mechanically?: The attacker drops to the floor on their side, plants one shoulder, and rolls under the opponent's body while hooking the lead leg. They emerge with the captured leg locked in a saddle or single-leg-X figure-four configuration, allowing immediate access to the inside heel hook.
What are the risks of using the Imanari Roll?: The technique exposes the attacker while rolling underneath the opponent, which an alert opponent can punish with a back-take. It is most effective against opponents committed to a wrestling-style standing exchange who have not yet recognized the leg-lock threat.
What are common mistakes to avoid when performing the Imanari Roll?: Common mistakes include telegraphing the roll, failing to hook the lead leg during the motion, rolling into open space, trying the technique against an aware opponent, and failing to lock the figure-four immediately upon emerging.
Who are notable practitioners of the Imanari Roll?: Notable practitioners include Masakazu Imanari, who popularized the technique in the early 2000s, as well as Garry Tonon and Craig Jones, who have continued the tradition in modern no-gi competition.