Single Leg Takedown

12.10.16   Keeping with my client’s current area on study, stand-up grappling/wrestling, we focused on the single-leg takedown, another common MMA takedown. This began with a warm-ups specific to this range. We warmed up with quadruped shoulder rolls, dynamic cat stretches and Indian press-ups. This progressed onto the squat-thrust/Indian squat, which is a full body movement that increased in tempo as the repetitions progressed. Then we performed backwards, forward and side rolls, both with and without breakfalls, and in increasing succession. Next we moved onto partner drills, moving from one leg to another with single takedown entries, sliding through the legs with double takedown entries and finally performing double leg takedown pick-ups. My client showed a big change in his pick-up motion.   We covered the simple traditional leg trap variety of single-leg takedown at the end of last lesson, but I thought I would only mention it here to keep things neat.  The movement involves shifting in with the bent leg on the outside of the opponent’s leg, naturally coming in at 45 degrees, hooking the outside arm in deep and pushing the head to the inside of the body, usually next to the hip and then lifting the leg. The fighter then rises to his feet and traps the opponent’s leg between his legs and drops to his knees whilst driving forward with his arms to catch the opponent’s far side ankle. It is important to keep moving forward throughout the action to take the opponent down and to land tight against him so he cannot recover easily.   We then looked at the high-lifting version of the takedown. This involves the same initial entry, but this time the hooked arm carries the leg upwards and then the fighter’s other arm hooks the opponent’s calf. His first arm then hooks under the opponent’s waist helping to unbalance him. The takedown is completed with the fighter upending and lifting the opponent off the ground and onto their back.   Resourcest: This excellent little article "Top 4 Most Useful Takedowns in MMA"