Takedown · Wrestling · Fundamental

Single leg

A takedown (wrestling) you hit from Standing, Dogfight and Deep half guard, landing you in Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame). Fundamental level.

Single leg · 1 of 4

How to Shoot the Perfect Single Leg for Beginners

Report a problemTeachMeGrappling Coach Brian · on YouTube
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How to do it

  1. Lower your level and step to the outside
  2. Grab one leg, knee and ankle
  3. Lift the leg and drive into them
  4. Run the pipe or trip their other leg

How it connects

Starts from
StandingDogfightDeep half guard
Similar takedowns
Double legAnkle pickSnap downStanding arm dragBody lock takedownCollar drag
Also from Standing
Guillotine escape
In courses
Foundations III: Half guardFoundations VI: Standing, front headlock & backHalf guard set
Seminars

Get it right

Key details
  • Keep your head up
  • Lift the leg high so they balance on one foot
Common mistake

Letting your head drop.

If they defend it

They whizzer: run the pipe and turn the corner.

Safety and research

What the research says

Takedowns caused 26.4% of injuries in a survey of 1,140 athletes, second only to submissions. Drill breakfalls before live takedowns.

Source: Hinz et al., Injury Patterns, Risk Factors, and Return to Sport in BJJ: 1140 athletes, Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine (2021)

Read about itGrapplearts articlesBJJ Heroes

Practice

Quick checkSingle leg quick check4 questions
My notes

Saved automatically.

More from these positionsOther techniques that start where this one does
Waiter sweepSweep → Half guard (top)Homer Simpson sweepSweep → Half guard (top)GuillotineSubmission · ChokeKimura (Gyaku Ude Garami)Submission · Shoulder lockToe holdSubmission · Leg lockKneebar (Hiza Juji Gatame)Submission · Leg lockDouble legTakedown → Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)Ankle pickTakedown → Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)
← Double leg2 of 27 takedownsAnkle pick →