Takedown
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The BJJ Single Leg Takedown: Your Foundation for Stand-Up Success

🥋 Blue Belt ★★☆☆☆ Intermediate

The Single Leg Takedown is a fundamental and highly effective technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, allowing you to transition from standing to a dominant top position. It's a cornerstone of wrestling and judo, adapted for the BJJ gi and no-gi environments, focusing on control and precision to bring your opponent to the mat safely.

Technique Map

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Contents

How to Execute

1. Establish Grips and Stance: Begin in a strong wrestling stance, slightly staggered, with a dominant grip on your opponent's collar/sleeve (gi) or neck/triceps (no-gi) to control their posture.

2. Change Levels and Penetrate: Drop your lead knee deeply, aiming your head to the outside of your opponent's hip, while simultaneously shooting your lead leg between theirs.

3. Secure the Leg: Wrap your arms securely around your opponent's single leg, just above the knee, gripping your own wrist or hands together to create a strong clamp.

4. Lift and Drive: Drive upwards with your head and chest, lifting their leg while staying tight to their body, using your hips to break their balance.

5. Finish the Takedown: Pivot around their planted foot, driving them backward or sideways, or elevate the leg and sweep their standing foot to complete the takedown to a dominant position.

Key Details & Tips

Maintain head position tight to your opponent's hip to prevent them from Sprawling effectively. Keep your back straight and chest up when driving, avoiding bending at the waist which compromises power and balance. Practice entries and footwork drills extensively to develop explosive speed and precision for the shot. Don't just grab the leg; truly lift and drive through your opponent.

Variations

High Crotch Single Leg (reaching deeper between the legs), Ankle Pick (often used as an entry or follow-up to a Single Leg attempt), Single Leg to Double Leg transition (when the opponent defends the single leg effectively).

When to Use

This technique is best used when your opponent is standing tall, has an open stance, or is actively engaging in grip fighting. It's particularly effective when they are off-balance or preoccupied with upper body control, creating an opening for a level change and shot.

Counters & Defenses

The Sprawl (driving hips back and extending legs to flatten the attacker), Whizzer (underhooking the attacker's arm to create leverage and defend the takedown), Guillotine Choke (if the attacker's head is exposed and posture is broken during the shot).

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