BJJ Ankle Picks: It should be the ability of a skilled grappler to take the battle to the ground. For the most part, standing is a shortcoming shared by many contemporary BJJ practitioners. BJJ practitioners usually modify takedowns from other grappling martial arts, like as wrestling and judo, to improve their standing techniques.
When doing a single-leg takedown with their head outside in BJJ, a grappler runs the danger of being caught with submissions such as arm triangle variants. When applying such takedowns from other grappling systems in Jiu-Jitsu, they need to be adjusted. We will discuss how to use the BJJ ankle picks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in this post.
The BJJ Ankle Picks
The single-leg takedown is a variation of the wrestling move known as the ankle pick. Pulling the opponent’s ankle in one way while pushing their upper body to the opposing side—usually from the collar tie—is how it is executed. When done correctly, it’s a low-risk takedown that has great potential for success.
For an opponent to be effective, they must be balanced. John Danaher asserts that you may thwart any strategy your opponent may have to defeat you if you assault their equilibrium whenever possible. It is considerably easier to execute the move you plan to utilise when your opponent is unbalanced.
The single and double-leg takedowns are among the standing techniques that grapplers employ most frequently. These are efficient takedowns, but there’s a risk involved in using them: if you shoot into and beneath your opponent, you may find yourself trapped beneath their body if they successfully sprawl, which puts you at risk of receiving back attacks. The risk of being caught in a guillotine is another. As a result, you need to be careful not to expose your neck when doing these takedowns; instead, raise your head inside.
Ankle picks are a good substitute since they keep you from being placed in subordinate postures like the crucifix. There is no need for you to bear any body weight if your opponent tries to sprawl when you take the ankle pick from the collar knot. You may reset back up to your feet if your opponent kicks out their leg during your attempt to pick their ankle. There is no risk of becoming caught beneath their body.
Ankle picks and low single-leg takedowns are common sources of uncertainty. The main difference between the two is that with a low single-leg takedown, you are committing your head to your opponent’s leg and exerting outside pressure on their knee to finish the takedown. If you miss a low single, you run the risk of getting trapped in a triangle and having your back taken. In Jiu-Jitsu, the ankle pick is a potent takedown because it eliminates every one of the dangers mentioned above.
You might also be interested in reading this: Difference Between Speed Passing Vs Pressure Passing In BJJ
1) Straight Ankle Pick
Using a staggered stance to begin the standup, judge distance by posting on your opponent’s shoulder with your rear hand. Align your head with your opponent’s, then club behind their head with your back hand. After you’ve clubbed their head, move away from them in a circle with your back hand to make them assume a squared position. You are putting them in a position where their two feet are parallel by doing this.
Lower yourself and bring the opponent’s head down with you as they square up. When your opponent’s head is up, you don’t want to sink and reach out to grasp their ankle. Particularly over the foot, you wish to pluck, lower your head. Make sure the ankle goes down first by lowering yourself to around knee height on the side you are catching.
As you collar tie the opponent’s head, maintain a close and firm grasp with your back hand. As a result, the opponent will become unbalanced and easier to pull. Next, raise your head over your opponent’s foot and grip their ankle when you reach there. To complete the takedown and get yourself in the top position, pull in the direction that their toes point.
2) Cross BJJ Ankle Picks
When your opponent realises you’re aiming for the ankle pick, they frequently step out with their leg. The cross-ankle pick thus becomes a viable choice in this scenario. Similarly, whack their head by posting on their shoulder with your back hand. Move aside and make a circle with your back hand.
Grab the opponent’s ankle with your lead hand as soon as they square up. Now, swap and seize the ankle of the opponent’s other leg (the lead leg) if they step their ankle back from the original pick. When the head is above the foot, pull the ankle in the direction that the toes point. You may comfortably stand back up without the risk of being taken down and having your back taken if your opponent likewise steps their leg out during the cross-ankle pick attempt.
3) The Russian tie’s ankle pick
Take advantage of the opportunity to go for the Russian tie or the two-on-one if your opponent is the first to grasp your head (collar tie). Apply pressure to your opponent’s arm from the Russian tie position to draw them to the ground. As soon as their far leg steps, use this posture to pull it forward and grip their far ankle. Proceed and complete the takedown. After landing on top, change into a dominating stance such as a back mount or side control.
In summary
The cross ankle pick and the straight ankle pick complement each other really well. The ankle pick requires little to no agility and is simple to learn. The straight ankle pick is the primary option and the cross ankle pick is the backup if you want to employ the ankle pick as one of your go-to takedowns. When developing your stand-up game, bear in mind that you may keep your skills basic. It is advised that you set up a strategy that will allow you to easily link your most effective takedowns. This will undoubtedly make your game straightforward but really powerful.
