The best defense against a single leg is an offensive counter. By initiating your own attacks while defending, you can turn the takedown attempt into a scoring opportunity.
As they shoot, immediately secure an underhook on their shooting arm.
Drive your hips into theirs, flattening their back to the mat.
Step your outside leg over their body while maintaining the underhook.
Use the underhook leverage to roll them onto their back.
If they shoot on a single leg, you can quickly establish a front headlock by controlling their head and arm. This puts you in an immediate submission position.
Control their head with proper clinch positioning. By securing their head and posture early, you make it impossible for them to complete the takedown successfully.
Remember: The best counter is one where you catch them mid-attempt. Practice timing and explosive movements to turn their attack into your advantage.
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Get Free Access →The most common mistake is to try and simply push the attacker away or stand up too quickly without establishing a solid base or controlling their hips. This often leads to them re-securing the leg or even completing the takedown.
To prevent a switch, maintain strong hip pressure into your opponent and keep your weight distributed. Focus on controlling their head and posture, and be ready to sprawl or circle out if they attempt to change grips or levels.
From your back, focus on creating space and attacking their base. Techniques like the 'grapevine' to sweep or using your legs to off-balance them and transition to a guard are effective. You can also look for submissions like triangle chokes or armbars if they overcommit.