One of the takedowns that is most frequently utilised in grappling martial arts, including BJJ, MMA, and most others, is the double leg takedown. In addition to being simple to execute, it also boasts the highest success percentages of practically all takedowns.
You should never second-guess your decision to commit to something in life or the martial arts. Similarly to this, in order to successfully take down an opponent when grappling, you must be steadfast in your purpose. Most of the time, failing to completely commit to your takedown efforts will end in failure.
Everything you need to know about the double leg takedown will be covered in this article
The Double Leg Takedown: What Is It?
One of the most popular takedown moves in grappling is the double leg, commonly known as morote gari in Judo. It dates back to the distant past. Any type of grappling starts with the contestant standing up. Every grappler has to know at least one takedown and master it in order to be able to effectively bring the battle to the ground.
The double leg takedown involves grabbing the opponent’s legs and driving their upper body forward while simultaneously pinning them to the ground. Effective usage of the proper mechanics is required for this takedown, which is easier said than done.
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The Double Leg Takedown Technique
Different strategies may be used to apply the double leg takedown. Although employing athleticism with poor technique can occasionally be sufficient to finish the double leg, it is crucial, especially for novice grapplers, to rely on true technique. Keep in mind that technique is crucial, particularly when facing an experienced opponent. The double leg takedown is demonstrated in several ways in the list below.
Basic Double Leg
Start with a staggered posture to execute the basic double leg. This signifies standing with one foot in front of the other while grabbing the back of their neck with your lead hand (collar tie). While blocking the opponent’s bicep, your other hand is holding their tricep. Pulling down on the opponent’s head comes first. They naturally stand up in response.
When this occurs, shoot in by shifting your level and taking a forward step with your lead leg (a penetration step), while your rear leg continues to cross the gap and lands outside and over the opponent’s leg. Once you’re in this position, maintain your head up and your posture upright by placing your hands behind your knees. As your head propels them in that direction, you drag the adversary to the side.
Blast Double Leg
Beginning with a low-level posture where you are lower than or equal to your opponent’s head position, you do the blast double leg. Standing tall exposes you to possible shots from the opposition. You can swiftly transition between offence and defence when you have a low stance. Your rear hand is kept low and available to protect while your lead hand posts on the opponent’s shoulder. By pushing the opponent back, posting keeps them uneasy and unbalanced.
The next manoeuvre involves clubbing the opponent’s head. Use your hefty hands to keep your adversary off balance while utilising your lead hand to whack his or her skull. A clean double leg versus an opponent is difficult to hit with a staggered stance. You have to force your opponent to keep their feet close together or to maintain a square stance because of this.
The next move is to circle to displace the adversary. Release your lead hand (collar tie) from holding onto your opponent’s head as you circle and pull their head down. As you release the strong pull and square your opponent’s stance, their posture will rise. Drive forward while using the explosiveness of your back foot to get high on the opposition’s hips. Quickly drop your level and get ready for the penetrating step.
Remind yourself to maintain your hips down, rear foot placed outside the opponent’s leg, and chest up. Your head drives across your body as your legs step up to push you to the side. Lock your hands behind the opponent’s knee and pull with your arms as you drive with your head.
Double Leg To Back Control
Drop your lead knee to the mat after standing up and attempt the double leg. Keep your head next to your opponent’s stomach after you’ve landed your knee on the mat. Where the head goes, the body follows, thus this is a crucial rule to remember. You won’t be guillotined if you keep your head up. Grab the opponent’s hamstrings with your hands. Use the body lock on the opponent’s waist to finish the double leg instead of the customary method. Stand up and spin behind the opponent after establishing the body lock.
Double Leg With Ankle Trip
Maintaining your wrestling stance in the staggered position, change levels and take a step with your rear leg outside. As soon as your back leg reaches the mat, drive forward while keeping your lead leg moving forward to apply the inner ankle trip.
What Are the Common Takedown Mistakes?
Although the double leg takedown is simple to execute, there are a few frequent errors that novices make.
1) Excessive shooting
When going for a takedown, always assume the opponent understands how to sprawl and defend. In this manner, you will develop the ability to rely less on strength and more on technique. You should frequently use your hands to gauge the space between you and the opponent when aiming for takedowns. Grapplers use their hands to post on the opponent’s shoulder to gauge whether the distance is close enough to be bridged by the takedown, much to how boxers use the jab in boxing.
2) Bad Posture
When executing takedowns, poor posture increases your chance of getting stuffed, reversed, and submitted in grappling. You may exploit the fact that takedowns must be performed in an athletic stance with your back straight and your head up to your advantage by forcing your opponent in the direction you want them to move.
3) Squatting With The Lead Knee
Even though you may have taken down a few of your training partners, lowering the lead knee to the ground is a typical takedown error. Ideally, you should slide down as your back leg moves forward to fill the gap, then use the force to spring back up rather than bringing your lead knee crashing down to the ground. Momentum is lost as a result.
4) Not Giving Your Complete Support
You must give it your all when going for the takedown, showing no signs of hesitancy or planning to quit in the middle. A botched takedown will probably be the outcome of a small ambiguity. If you combine technical skills with the ability to run past your opponent, you will be invincible on the mats.
Conclusion
With takedowns, mental toughness is really important. Although the double leg takedown is the most common takedown, it requires numerous hours of constant training to master. Keep in mind that you only need to learn one or two takedowns that you can use effectively.
