Jiu Jitsu is known for its emphasis on ground combat. Thus, it is to be expected that practitioners are adept at defeating adversaries. If you are not good at submitting opponents, there is no point in showing off your skills. This technique of submitting the opponent or taking them down is what we want to focus on in this article.
A lot of the Jiu Jitsu takedowns come from grappling styles like Judo and wrestling. Some teachers also discourage the use of takedowns because of the physical toll they can take. Still, the typical Jiu Jitsu practitioner can easily submit their opponents.
Hence, a practitioner must know some of the basic takedown methods. So, without any further talk, let’s get to our discussion of 8 such takedown techniques. We will also give some tips at the end to make the takedown a stronghold for you.
8 Most Popular Jiu Jitsu Takedowns Techniques
Improving your Jiu Jitsu fighting abilities begins with solid groundwork in stand-up techniques. And takedowns are part of that. Some of the most effective takedowns in Jiu Jitsu are listed below:
1. Single-Leg Takedown
In a single-leg takedown, you try to bring your opponent down by grabbing onto just one of their legs. Since more nuance is needed to complete the technique, some would argue that it is slightly more complex than the double leg.
The technique begins with a penetrating step. To grab an opponent’s leg—usually their lead leg—you must take a penetrating step and switch levels. The next step is to control your opponent’s leg with both hands while placing it between your own. Maintaining firm leg control throws off your opponent’s equilibrium.
Finally comes the pivoting. You can complete the move by pivoting and lowering your body. Keep your head held high or facing forward at all times to avoid a guillotine choke.
2. Double-Leg Takedown
The double-leg takedown is also commonly used in wrestling and MMA, alongside Jiu Jitsu. This move is effective in gi and no-gi situations as it targets both legs of your opponent.
Similar to the single-leg move, it also begins with a wrestling penetration step. You need to change levels to execute this step between your opponent’s legs. Next comes grabbing your opponent’s knees. You will be doing this while driving forward.
Keeping the spine straight is key here. You will also have to hold your head tight on the rival’s torso during the drive. Stay on the gas until your opponent goes down. Diminish the last chance of your opponent’s rebasing by grabbing the backside of their knees.
3. Arm Drag
The no-gi arm drag takedown offers versatile options. It sets up backtakes, submissions, and takedowns. Starting an arm drag gives you a tactical edge for deadly takedowns and staying in a favorable position. It opens up a world of offensive and defensive moves that can throw opponents off their game. This includes guard defense, submissions, sweeps, and chokes.
As the name suggests, you will have to grab the rival’s arm at the beginning. Then, you will need to pull it over the back. From there, you’ll need to reach and control the hip. Afterward, you pin the opponent down to the mat when you find them unbalanced.
4. Kouchi Gari
Arm drag leading to Kouchi Gari is one of the deadly takedown combinations. Doing so is simple and straightforward. Start the sweep from behind once you have control of the opponent’s arm. Then, place your foot between their legs. Keep your elbow out of Omoplatas while you are underhooking your opponent’s leg.
In the underhook, you will tuck your head inside and place your hand on your opponent’s triceps. From the inside, reach under their armpit and seize their shoulder. To ensure complete control, brace yourself by pressing down on the opponent’s knee to secure your leg.
5. Body Lock
The body lock is simple to do and, with the right stance, nearly impossible to escape. Once you have won a pummeling exchange, you can enter this position.
At first, you will need to secure double under-hooks from the pummel. Then, lower your stance and press your head against your opponent’s chest. Next comes wrapping your arms around their lower back. It draws their hips close to yours. Keep hold of pressure to make them lean back. Finally, complete the pass by bumping their knee or executing a leg trip.
When you knee bump, you will be in a better position to pass. You never know when a leg trip might put your opponent in half-guard.
6. Foot Sweep
When it comes to gi and no-gi fighting, the foot sweep is a stunning high-percentage attack. Two different positions—the inside tie and the collar tie—allow you to perform the foot sweep. The other is the Ai Yotsu grip.
Let’s talk about how to initiate it from an Ai Yotsu grip. Hands on sleeves and right hands on collar make up this grip. For the foot sweep, you will have to bring your rival laterally to the left from the aforementioned grip. After your time, when their weight shifts to their right foot, sweep their left leg across their ankle with the sole of their right foot. Even though you think they have lost their footing, keep sweeping.
If executed properly, the foot sweep may land you past the opponent’s legs and into a dominant or passing position.
7. Uchi Mata
It is a very popular throw in Jiu Jitsu. The reason being, it works wonders when the other guy is in a bending forward stance. Compared to other hip throws, this one will expose less of the back.
When your opponent bends over, you can do this while maintaining your normal stance. To begin, bring your opponent’s collar and sleeve tight around you while you step forward with your right foot, landing next to their inner left foot. During this, your elbow must be pointed downward. As soon as your left foot lands next to your right foot, step. Then, swiftly go under your opponent and raise your right leg so it hooks their left inner thigh, lifting their hips for you.
If you continue the lift, the opponent will eventually lose balance. However, making sure this move is timed correctly is crucial.
8. Ankle Pick
Ankle Pick is an attack that can put you in a great position to pass the guard with relatively low risk and high reward.
One way to do this is to execute a fake Uchi Mata to lift one of your legs off the ground. Then, you’ll need to quickly step in with an ankle pick on the supporting leg after receiving an overhook from the clinch. The opponent will be prepared but won’t be able to do anything!
A lapel grip is a common way to apply the ankle pick in Jiu Jitsu. Using this grip, you can pull your opponent forward, making him step towards you with one leg. This gets their foot close enough for you to use the ankle pick.
Tips for Improving Your Takedowns
Now that you have an idea of some of the most common takedown techniques, it’s time to put them into action. However, some tips are essential to getting the most out of any of the aforementioned methods. Let’s look into them:
- Learn to maintain proper balance and posture. It is practical for both initiating and evading takedowns.
- Improving your takedown efficiency is as simple as learning the mechanics of leverage and applying it through different grips. Mastering even the most basic holds requires attention to timing, grip placement, and strength.
- When it comes to takedowns, timing is very important. You want to hit your opponent just as they shift their weight or try to make a move. Not only does this call for physical fitness, but also foresight and precision.
- You need to be able to switch to a different takedown technique quickly in case your first one is blocked. Always keep this facet of chaining techniques in mind when you train.
- Success in Jiu Jitsu requires mental toughness, the ability to remain calm and focused under pressure, and self-assurance. Seize each session as a chance to strengthen your mental fortitude and physical abilities for the takedown.
The Importance of Training Takedowns
For novices, training takedowns can be particularly taxing and risky. Their inclusion in your training is essential, though. That’s because they contribute to the legitimacy, efficacy, and longevity of the sport.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you don’t need to pull guard or train takedowns every single day. Stay positive, give it your all, and keep training instead. Though you might not be at the top right now, your game and the sport as a whole will benefit from your efforts to improve.
If nothing else, practice takedowns until you can repel an opponent’s attempt.
Conclusion
The importance of Jiu Jitsu takedowns in enhancing fighting skills cannot be overstated. You can not succeed without learning the single-leg and double-leg takedowns. Besides, the arm drag, foot sweep, and other additional moves provide a lot of flexibility.
However, to be most effective in combat situations, training should focus on balance, timing, and adaptation. Consistent training keeps you strong and improves your performance over time.
At 10th Planet Poway, we know exactly what it takes to master every single takedown technique. If you are looking for guidance, our instructors can meet all of your demands in a single location. Join our academy to begin your journey to becoming a Jiu Jitsu champ.
