Double-Leg Takedown

The Double-Leg Takedown is one of the most fundamental and effective takedowns in grappling, commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and mixed martial arts. It involves lowering your level, driving into your opponent, and securing both of their legs to destabilize their base and force them to the ground. This takedown emphasizes leverage, angles, and explosive momentum to overpower your opponent’s balance.

Key Principles

Level Change

  • Lower your center of gravity to match or go below your opponent’s level. This creates the necessary leverage for the takedown.

Penetration Step

  • Step forward with one leg to close the distance, maintaining balance and alignment for power.

Grip Control

  • Secure both of your opponent’s legs by wrapping your arms around them, locking at the knees or thighs for control.

Driving Force

  • Use your legs and hips to drive forward, pushing your opponent off balance and forcing them to the mat.

Finishing Angle

  • As you drive, angle your body to prevent their sprawl and ensure a clean finish.

Steps to Perform the Double-Leg Takedown

Engage with Your Opponent

  • Begin in a neutral or standing position, keeping a solid base and posture.
  • Use grip fighting or a Collar Tie to disrupt their stance and create an opening.

Level Change

  • Lower your hips by bending your knees while keeping your back straight and head up.
  • Maintain an athletic stance to ensure stability and power.

Penetration Step

  • Step forward with your lead leg (directly between their legs) while driving your body forward.
  • Ensure your trailing leg follows to maintain base.

Secure the Legs

  • Wrap your arms around the back of your opponent’s legs at the knees or thighs.
  • Lock your hands together using a Gable Grip or Butterfly Grip for control.

Drive and Lift

  • Use your legs to push forward, lifting their legs off the ground while keeping your head pressed against their hip or torso for leverage.

Angle and Finish

  • Angle your body to the side while continuing to drive, forcing your opponent to the mat.
  • As they fall, maintain control of their legs to prevent counters or scrambles.

Variations of the Double-Leg Takedown

High Double-Leg Takedown

  • Target the upper thighs instead of the knees for added lifting power.

Low Double-Leg Takedown

  • Focus on gripping below the knees for opponents with strong upper-body defense.

Run-the-Pipe Finish

  • Instead of lifting, drive your opponent sideways by pulling one leg toward you and pushing their upper body.

Angle Cut Finish

  • Step diagonally after securing the legs to cut the angle and take them down cleanly.

Common Applications

Against Aggressive Opponents

  • Use their forward momentum against them by timing your level change and penetration step.

Setting Up from Grip Fighting

  • Use collar or wrist grips to break their posture, creating the opening for the takedown.

In Scrambles

Defensive Strategies

Countering Sprawls

Avoiding Guillotines

  • Keep your head high and tight to their torso to prevent them from wrapping your neck for a Guillotine.

Follow-Ups and Transitions

Passing Guard

  • After completing the takedown, immediately work to pass their guard and secure a dominant position.

Submission Opportunities

Tip

The Double-Leg Takedown relies on proper angles, explosive movement, and tight control of the legs. Ensure your penetration step is deep and your grips are secure for maximum effectiveness.

Positioning

The Double-Leg Takedown can be executed from various positions and situations where you can close the distance, lower your level, and secure control of both of your opponent's legs. Below are the positions and scenarios where this takedown is most effective:

Neutral Standing Positions

Engaged Stance

  • From a neutral standing position, engage your opponent with hand-fighting or grip fighting to create an opening for the takedown.

Collar Tie or Double Collar Tie

No Contact (Open Distance)

  • Close the distance by stepping in with a deep penetration step to initiate the takedown.

Takedown Setup Positions

Snap-Down to Front Headlock

Duck Under

  • After executing a Duck Under, pivot into their legs to complete the takedown.

Off-Balanced Opponent

  • When your opponent is leaning forward or stepping into you, capitalize on their compromised base by shooting for the legs.

Scramble and Counter Positions

Countering Forward Pressure

  • Use their forward momentum to set up the takedown by lowering your level and driving into their legs.

In Scrambles

  • If your opponent is off-balance during a scramble, shoot for the legs to secure the takedown.

As a Counter to Single-Leg Takedown

Guard and Ground Transitions

From Standing Back Control

  • If your opponent is attempting to turn into you, transition to the legs for a Double-Leg Takedown.

Combat Base Counter

  • Against an opponent in Combat Base (one knee up, one knee down), drop your level and attack their posted leg for the takedown.

Dynamic Transitions

Against a Sprawling Opponent

  • Adjust mid-takedown by angling your body or transitioning to a Single-Leg Takedown if they sprawl.

Chain Wrestling

Off Striking (MMA)

  • In mixed martial arts, time your takedown during or after your opponent throws a strike to capitalize on their weight shift and compromised base.

Key Situations

Aggressive Opponents

  • Use the takedown to counter forward pressure or overcommitment in their movement.

Defensive Opponents

  • Exploit their upright posture or backward movement to close the distance and attack their legs.

Competitions

  • Utilize the Double-Leg Takedown to score points in tournaments where takedowns are awarded significant value.
Tip

The Double-Leg Takedown is most effective when executed with a deep penetration step, strong grip fighting, and driving power. Focus on controlling their base and using proper angles to avoid counters like sprawls or submissions.

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