Single-Leg Takedown

The Single-Leg Takedown is one of the most effective and versatile takedowns in grappling. It involves isolating and controlling one of your opponent’s legs to disrupt their base and drive them to the ground. This technique relies on precise angles, grip fighting, and leverage to create imbalance and capitalize on opportunities, making it a staple in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and mixed martial arts.

Key Principles

Breaking Base

  • The takedown disrupts your opponent's balance by removing one of their legs as a point of stability.

Angles and Positioning

  • Moving off your opponent’s center line enhances your control and makes it harder for them to defend or counter.

Grip Fighting

  • Proper grips on their leg, pants (gi), or ankle ensure you can maintain control and prevent them from escaping.

Driving Pressure

  • Use your legs and hips to generate forward or lateral pressure to finish the takedown.

Steps to Perform the Single-Leg Takedown

Set Up the Entry

Level Change

  • Lower your center of gravity by bending your knees and keeping your back straight. Your head should stay up to avoid guillotine threats.

Penetration Step

  • Step in with your lead leg, positioning it between your opponent’s legs or close to the targeted leg.

Secure the Leg

  • Wrap your arms around their leg, securing a grip just above the knee or on the pants if in gi.
  • Use a Single-Leg Grip or Gable Grip to control the leg tightly.

Break Their Balance

  • Lift their leg slightly off the ground and step diagonally to destabilize their base.
  • Keep your head pressed against their hip or ribs for control.

Drive and Finish

  • Push forward with your legs while pulling the leg toward you, aiming to bring them to the mat.
  • Common finishes include:
  • Sweeping their standing leg with your foot.
  • Driving them backward to collapse their base.

Secure Dominant Position

  • As they fall, maintain control and transition into a dominant position like Side Control or Guard passing.

Variations of the Single-Leg Takedown

Low Single-Leg Takedown

  • Target the ankle or lower calf, staying low to avoid counters.

High Single-Leg Takedown

  • Lift their leg higher, controlling above the knee, and drive them backward or sideways.

Run-the-Pipe Finish

  • Pivot while pulling their leg downward to trip them to the mat.

Sweep Finish

  • Sweep their standing leg with your foot to finish the takedown.

No-Gi Single-Leg

  • Use wrist and leg control without gi grips to execute the technique.

Common Applications

Against Forward Pressure

  • Use the Single-Leg Takedown to counter aggressive opponents driving forward.

In Hand-Fighting or Grip Exchanges

  • Set up the takedown when you achieve dominant grips or break their posture.

Countering Guard Pulls

  • Catch your opponent’s leg as they attempt a Guard Pull and transition into the takedown.

During Scrambles

  • Apply the takedown when your opponent is off-balance or transitioning dynamically.

Defensive Strategies

Sprawl

  • Drop your hips back to the mat while pushing their head down to defend the entry.

Breaking Grips

  • Use hand-fighting to break their grip on your leg.

Counters

Follow-Ups and Transitions

Guard Passing

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

Submission Opportunities

Positional Control

Tip

The Single-Leg Takedown thrives on precise grip fighting, controlled angles, and explosive movement. Focus on maintaining tight connections and adjusting your positioning based on your opponent’s reactions.

Positioning

The Single-Leg Takedown can be executed from a variety of standing and grappling positions where you can isolate your opponent’s leg, disrupt their base, and finish with control. Below is a breakdown of positions and scenarios where the Single-Leg Takedown is most effective:

Neutral Standing Positions

Engaged Neutral Stance

  • In a standard neutral stance, engage in grip fighting or hand-fighting to set up the takedown.
  • Use fakes or level changes to create openings for the entry.

Collar Tie

  • From a Collar Tie, use wrist control or arm manipulation to drop into the Single-Leg Takedown.

No-Gi Grip Fighting

  • Control their wrist or bicep in no-gi situations to set up the takedown.

Specific Grip-Controlled Positions

Collar-and-Sleeve Control

  • In gi settings, use the sleeve grip to off-balance your opponent while shooting for the leg.

Two-on-One Grip

  • From a Two-on-One Grip (Russian Tie), pull their arm across their body to expose the leg for the takedown.

Wrist and Underhook Control

  • Use wrist control with an underhook to isolate their posture and access the single leg.

Dynamic and Transition Positions

Countering Forward Pressure

  • If your opponent drives forward aggressively, use their momentum to step in and secure the single leg.

During Scrambles

  • Apply the Single-Leg Takedown when your opponent is off-balance or in motion during a dynamic exchange.

Countering Failed Takedowns

Combat Base Counter

  • Against an opponent in Combat Base (one knee up, one knee down), target the posted leg to execute the takedown.

From Standing Back Control

Turn and Drop

  • When holding Standing Back Control, if your opponent turns into you, transition into a Single-Leg Takedown by isolating their leg.

Rear Leg Isolation

  • If your opponent defends their back, target their rear leg for the single-leg entry.

Guard Passing and Scramble Scenarios

Countering Guard Pull

  • Catch their leg as they attempt a Guard Pull, preventing them from establishing control and transitioning into a takedown.

Guard Retention Scrambles

  • During guard retention or dynamic guard passing, isolate their leg for a Single-Leg Takedown.

Common Applications

Tournaments

  • Use the Single-Leg Takedown to score points and transition into dominant positions like Side Control or Mount.

Against Taller Opponents

  • Exploit their longer legs to isolate and destabilize their base.

In No-Gi Grappling

  • Adjust grips to wrists, biceps, or underhooks for effective no-gi execution.

Submission and Positional Transitions

Leg Lock Entries

Guard Passing

  • Transition into guard passes after completing the takedown to maintain control.

Dominant Positions

Tip

The Single-Leg Takedown is most effective when you combine precise grip fighting with proper angles and Level Changes. Use their momentum or weight shifts to create the perfect opening.

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