The Duck Under is a classic wrestling-based takedown entry from the collar tie, allowing you to bypass your opponent’s arms and take their back or secure a dominant top position. It is highly effective in both gi and no-gi for quickly gaining positional advantage with minimal risk of counter throws.
Start
Standing in collar tie
End
Back or top
Prerequisites: Collar tie control · Inside bicep tie · Level change mechanics · Footwork for penetration steps
Steps
1
Establish Collar Tie and Inside Control
With your lead hand, secure a collar tie behind your opponent’s neck; your rear hand posts on their triceps or biceps for inside control. Keep your forehead pressed to their jaw or temple to maintain head position.
2
Initiate Level Change
Drop your level by bending at the knees and hips, keeping your back straight and head up. Your eyes should be at chest level, not looking down.
3
Pull and Create Angle
Use your collar tie to sharply pull your opponent’s head down and slightly towards your inside control side. Simultaneously, step your lead foot to the outside at a 45° angle.
4
Duck Under the Arm
As you pull, dip your head and shoulders under their arm (the side you have inside control), tucking your chin and driving your head to their far lat or armpit.
5
Penetrate with Hips and Step Deep
Drive your hips forward as you step your rear foot past their lead leg, ending up perpendicular or slightly behind them. Your inside hand slides around their waist or far hip.
6
Secure the Back or Top
Release the collar tie and reach for a seatbelt grip or double unders. Keep your chest glued to their back, knees bent, and head low to prevent them from turning in.
7
Finish with Control
Stay tight, drive forward, and either lift for a mat return or pull them down to mat with your weight, securing back control or top position.
Key details most people miss
The level change must be timed with your pull—if you drop too early or late, your head gets blocked.
Your head must drive to the far side of their torso (not just under the arm) to prevent them from squaring up.
The inside hand should switch from triceps control to wrapping the waist as soon as you clear their arm.
Keep your hips close as you duck under; if you leave space, they can sprawl or recover the angle.
Common mistakes
Failing to create a strong angle—if you pull straight down instead of diagonally, opponent can sprawl or snap you down.
Not lowering your level enough—your head gets caught on their arm, leading to front headlock counters.
Leaving your hips too far back—opponent can turn in and face you, nullifying the back take.
Releasing the collar tie too soon—opponent regains posture and breaks your angle.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent sprawls as you duck under
You do: Switch to a single leg by catching their near leg with your inside arm and driving forward.
They try: Opponent posts their arm hard to block your entry
You do: Redirect their post by circling your inside hand to a Russian 2-on-1 grip and attack the back from there.
They try: Opponent turns in quickly to square up
You do: Drop to a double leg by shooting your hips in and collecting both knees before they recover base.
They try: Opponent attempts a front headlock as you duck
You do: Keep your head tight to their lat and immediately circle behind, never letting your neck be exposed.
Drill prescription
6 rounds × 2 min; partner provides 50% resistance with active collar tie and posts. Goal: 5 clean back exposures per round, with no failed entries resulting in front headlock or sprawl.
How the masters teach it
John Danaher
Emphasizes the duck under as a system entry, focusing on angle creation and seamless transitions to back takes in no-gi.
BJJ Fanatics
Marcelo Garcia
Known for ultra-tight duck unders from standing and seated, prioritizing head position and immediate back exposure.