takedown offense

it is generally advised to attempt most takedowns at a 45 degree angle to your opponent instead of head on, but it depends on the type of takedown as well.

single-leg takedowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxYwm1ufjJo

single-leg takedowns revolve around grabbing the leg of your opponent at an angle and forcing them to the ground.

take a wide, squat-like step towards the side of your opponent (or slide into a knee), then grab the leg with a full grip and get the leg in between your legs, secured above the knees and thighs, sort of near the groin area. to secure the leg, keep toes pointed inward and clench knees together tight.

• two methods taught in class (more exist): “football” style and push-in style
  • “hike” the leg like a football in between your legs
  • use force from your body to push your opponent backward while lifting their leg up between your legs

keep your shoulder down by your opponent’s belly as you apply force and move forward with the leg secured between your legs. when ready, step your leg on the side of your opponent back, and in the void you have created with this, immediately further drop your shoulder into that “hole" and twist your body in the direction of your opponent while applying more pressure forward to push them down.

aim to land either holding both legs or in a favorable position to progress in for passing their guard.

double-leg takedowns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DHzLvLd-0Y

double-leg takedowns are more head-on than single legs and involve taking both legs of the opponents in order to get them on the ground.

while head-on, your opponent might be defensive with his arms, it is important to “open the gates” first and move these hands quickly out of your way before shooting. use your BACK LEG for the drive and momentum while the front knee is just for accuracy/positioning in this next step. dropping quickly, step a knee deeply in between the opponent’s legs and secure the legs by wrapping around the knees tightly. drop this knee to the ground once secure and then raise your other knee back up while tucking your head down along the person’s side and using your head and shoulders to drive the opponent to the ground.

hold on tightly and this will likely either land you in side control or a similarly dominant position.

takedown defense

single-leg takedowns

“stuffing” is helpful in a single-leg takedown scenario. push the opponent’s head away or down towards the ground to break their posture. if you anticipate which leg they seek to target, you can also circle that leg around their hip so they can’t get a good grip on it. sprawling can be useful too if they did not secure a good grip yet.

double-leg takedowns

double-legs can be suppressed by framing against the opponent’s back with your forearms on their shoulders. fight to put your head and chest along their back and kick your hips/knees back in a sprawl, applying pressure on their back so that the opponent can fall to the ground. this will land you in a dominant turtle position.