Fundamentals
Fix Your Double Leg Takedown
Many jiu-jitsu athletes abandon takedowns because they can’t finish against a resisting opponent—but with the right setup, success rates skyrocket. This guide breaks down the head snap, a simple yet effective entry that freezes your opponent’s sprawl and opens the door for a clean takedown.
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When individuals who are not familiar with wrestling attempt takedowns in jiu-jitsu, they grasp the technique but often struggle with executing the moves effectively against a resisting opponent. This leads to frustration and, eventually, giving up on takedowns in favor of pulling guard. Novice wrestlers experience a similar phase, but they lack the option of pulling guard, so they usually adapt.
While executing a takedown involves several components—level change, penetration step, turning the corner, and finishing—once you have mastered these aspects, you require a proper setup. A setup creates a brief opportunity for you to execute the level change and penetration step towards your opponent's leg(s).
A straightforward setup is the head snap. The head snap causes your opponent to firmly plant both feet on the mat, momentarily preventing them from sprawling. A common mistake is to perform the snap first and then execute the level change. It's crucial to execute the snap simultaneously with the level change. This action creates the opening for you to engage with your opponent's legs.
After gaining control of your opponent's legs, the rest of the process depends on your ability to complete the takedown.
Tags
wrestling, double leg