← All techniques

Single-Leg Takedown

TakedownWrestling takedownBelt: white+Risk: moderateIBJJFADCCNo-GiSub-OnlyMMA

The single-leg takedown is a foundational wrestling takedown adapted for BJJ, allowing you to bring your opponent to the mat while maintaining control of one of their legs. It is highly effective in both gi and no-gi, minimizing exposure to guillotines and enabling a wide variety of finishes. Mastery of the single-leg is essential for building a strong top game and dictating where the match takes place.

Start
Standing in clinch
End
Top position
Prerequisites: Level change mechanics · Penetration step · Grip fighting basics · Posture breaking · Sprawl defense recognition

Steps

  1. 1
    Establish Inside Tie or Collar Tie
    Use a collar tie with your lead hand and a wrist control or inside biceps tie with your rear hand to break their posture and create an opening; keep your forehead pressed into their jaw or temple to control the head position.
  2. 2
    Level Change and Penetration Step
    Drop your hips by bending your knees (not your back), keeping your head up and chest proud; step your lead foot between their feet, aiming your knee past their heel at a 45° angle.
  3. 3
    Secure the Single-Leg Grip
    Release the collar tie and shoot your rear arm deep behind their knee, wrapping your hand around their far hamstring (C-grip or gable grip); your head should be tight against their hip or ribs, looking up.
  4. 4
    Lock Your Hands and Stand Up
    Lock your hands (gable grip or palm-to-palm) around their leg just above the knee; drive off your rear foot to stand, keeping your back straight and head high, pulling their leg tightly to your chest.
  5. 5
    Angle Off and Elevate the Leg
    Step your outside foot to the side and slightly back, creating an angle so your body is perpendicular to their stance; lift their leg off the mat by straightening your legs and pulling their knee across your centerline.
  6. 6
    Finish with a Run-the-Pipe or Trip
    For 'run-the-pipe,' rotate their leg in a circular motion while dropping your inside shoulder and stepping back, forcing them to the mat; for a trip, hook their standing ankle with your foot and drive forward with your head while pulling their leg up.
  7. 7
    Secure Top Position
    As they fall, keep control of their leg and follow them down, aiming to land in side control or half guard with chest-to-chest pressure and immediate cross-face or underhook establishment.

Key details most people miss

  • Keep your head tight to their hip or ribs throughout the finish to prevent guillotine attempts and maintain control.
  • Angle your body off the centerline before lifting the leg to maximize off-balancing and reduce their ability to sprawl.
  • Grip just above the knee for maximum leverage—gripping too low allows them to kick out, while too high reduces control.
  • Drive off your rear foot and keep your back straight when standing up to avoid being sprawled on.

Common mistakes

  • Failing to level change with your hips leads to bending at the waist, making you vulnerable to sprawls and front headlocks.
  • Gripping too low on the leg allows the opponent to kick their leg free and escape.
  • Not angling off before lifting lets the opponent square up and defend with a strong sprawl.
  • Allowing your head to drift away from their body opens you up to guillotine chokes, especially in no-gi.

Counters & responses

They try: Opponent sprawls hard and cross-faces your head.
You do: Switch to a double-leg by grabbing their far leg, drive forward, and cut the corner to finish.
They try: Opponent attempts a guillotine as you shoot in.
You do: Keep your head tight to their hip, posture up, and circle toward the trapped leg to relieve pressure and break the grip.
They try: Opponent posts and hops away, trying to free their leg.
You do: Transition to a high single by climbing your grip to their ankle, then trip their post leg with your foot sweep.
They try: Opponent grabs your ankle for a counter single.
You do: Kick your trapped foot back and circle your hips away, then re-secure your base and finish with a trip or run-the-pipe.

Drill prescription

6 rounds × 2 minutes per round; 50% resistance; each partner must complete at least 5 clean single-leg finishes per round (no guard pulls or mat returns count); track successful finishes and escapes.

How the masters teach it

Videos are still being curated for this technique. AI suggests these instructors:
John Danaher — Emphasizes head position and angle to minimize guillotine risk and maximize control in no-gi.Gordon Ryan — Integrates single-leg entries into his systematic wrestling-for-BJJ approach, focusing on high-percentage finishes.Andre Galvao — Uses explosive level changes and transitions between single and double-leg for ADCC-style takedown chains.Lucas Lepri — Demonstrates clean, technical single-legs in gi competition, with a focus on grip fighting and posture.
#standing#takedown#wrestling#gi#no-gi#mma#top-game#athleticism-not-required#beginner-friendly