To: Katherine MacCorkle

From: Ian Fischer

Topic: The Double-Leg Takedown: Initiation, Execution and Finish

Introduction

At times, even in routine day to day activities, certain situations call for a knowledge, even a basic one, of self-defense techniques. And considering the majority of fights go to the clinch (close quarter) a solid understanding of rudimentary grappling techniques can benefit even the gentlest of pacifists. In a combat situation, quick and efficient offensive techniques for controlling you opponent are a must. The double-leg takedown is one of the most basic wrestling/grappling techniques practiced in numerous close fighting arts around the world. With this instruction guide and a little practice you will be able to shift the momentum of any altercation in your favor.

The basic format is:

Assessment of opponent “Faking out” or distracting your opponent for element of surprise “Level changing” and execution of tackle Finish and subdue

As this instruction set is mainly aimed in an offensive self-defense manner, the instructions will be characterized in a way simulating a basic counter-fighting routine involving offensive strikes from your opponent versus a more traditional wrestling format.

Equipment and Materials

A practice opponent A padded mat room or wrestling mat Workout clothes (unless wishing to simulate real life situations with casual clothing) Wrestling shoes (optional)

Health and Safety

Wrestling, grappling and combat sports in general are all very strenuous activities involving numerous scenarios where one is often more at risk for injury than in many other sports. Always check with your doctor before beginning a new workout routine. When beginning, go at your own pace; it doesn’t help you, your team or your practice partner for you to become injured the first day of practice. If you become exceedingly fatigued at first during practice don’t be afraid to take it easy. Combat sports require total body proficiency in strength, speed, and flexibility to be competitive; don’t get discouraged if it is initially difficult for you to keep up with more experienced training partners

Instructions

1. Size up your opponentIn a combat situation there are certain key points to figure. Your opponent may be angry, intoxicated, bigger or smaller than yourself etc. All of these things and more will be a factor in your success in defensive-offense and, if anticipated and approached correctly, can be an advantage in a threatening situation. Some factors to possibly.,kklkjokojiokjkkjololjlkjl think about are: Is he taller/smaller than you? Is he standing straight up or crouched in a typical wrestling position? Is your opponent intoxicated, injured, or debilitated in some way? All or more of these factors are detailed in other more extensive wrestling and grappling instruction books and taken into account by the more experienced grappler. For now, though, your opponent should be in a boxing stance, fists up, ready to strike. You should be in a crouched grappler position, as illustrated in “Image 1”, slightly lower with respect to your opponent.

2. Pick a side; left or right.Picking a side means picking a side to place your head (outside left or right leg) so you can drive towards the opposite direction. For now, just pick a side you are comfortable with. It may be faster/easier for you to bend down to lower with your left knee than your right, or you are more coordinated in a certain direction. Your opponent may have one foot in front of the other, offsetting his balance in a specific direction or possess a leg injury, which, in a threatening situation, can be a huge advantage. Every wrestler has a favorite side he likes to shoot on and you will probably be no different.

Image 1: Size up and Pick a Side

3. Distract your opponents attentionSome wrestlers are fast enough that they can beat the reaction time of their opponent just with sheer skill and athletic ability. For the average practitioner, though, a little ingenuity in the approach can go a long way. Maybe you are in a crowded environment where you can pretend to call someone from behind. Maybe you want to fake a punch. Maybe an attractive female is walking by, distracting your opponent and affording you a chance to attack.

For now though, you will practice what is called “baiting the punch”. In a combat scenario, having your hands lower than your opponents, as illustrated in “Image 1”, your face is unprotected from oncoming strikes, giving your opponent the illusion of superiority. You can use this to your advantage. Have your practice partner throw a punch aimed at your head, slowly at first and always with the reservation not to hit for the beginner grappler.

4. Change LevelsWith your opponent striking towards your face his lower body is now open to attack. Duck under his punch and “change a level” as illustrated in “Image 2”: bend knees into a lower crouch position, but do not drop knee to floor as this decreases the amount of power available for the strike. Drag the lagging leg behind ready to move in and close the space between you and your opponent.

Image 2: Baiting the Punch and Changing Levels

5. “Shoot” or move in to begin tackleThis is the step in executing a double-leg takedown where it can become more difficult from a technical standpoint. Don’t be discouraged if you do not correctly implement the move your first couple times. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Still crouched at a changed level, drag or move your behind leg forward to the outside of your opponent’s leg. At the same time place your head on the outside hip (same side as outside leg) and your hands on both legs just above the kneecap line from behind as illustrated in “Image 3”.

Image 3: Shooting Position Change

6. Drive andWith your head placed against your opponent’s hip and hands in the proper place (just above bend in knee), look across your opponents body (turn your head towards opponents lower back); this is called “turning the corner”. Now one execution technique is to bring your back straight and lift your opponent with purely upper body strength, a strenuous, but effective method colloquially called “sack-of-potatoes” and shown in “Image 4”

Image 4: Sack of Potatoes

Or you can use the more modern wrestling technique: From current position shift your hips and knees so that your inside knee is no longer on the ground and your body is directed at a right angle to your opponent (in other words, preparing to move in a sideways/slightly diagonal direction). Drive and run with your feet, using the momentum of your legs to help you lift your opponent in the air. If you have any experience with rugby, this motion is exactly the motion of a well orchestrated rugby tackle.

7. Finish and Secure OpponentFinish both take downs by slamming opponent on the ground (use discretion with practice partner) and, depending on your goal, assume “side control” and then move knee onto opponent’s stomach into a “knee mount” which is a superior position, very conducive to raining strikes if incapacitating your opponent is key.

Image 5: Side Control

Image 5: Full Mount

Conclusion

Knowing how to properly execute basic grappling techniques can be an effective self-defense tool. And from a purely health standpoint, the rigorous exercise of wrestling, grappling, and combat sports provides numerous health benefits to even the twice a week practitioner. With practice, and perhaps some careful attention to detail in this instruction manual, you should be able to takedown any threatening individual who you come across.

Pictures courtesy of BeginningBJJ.com