The double leg takedown is a common technique in mixed martial arts, judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that combines speed and power into a go-to move for both beginners and advanced practitioners. Known in judo as morote gari, the double leg takedown is one of the most used techniques in grappling. In BJJ matches, like most forms of grappling, both fighters start standing up, so any aspiring grappler has to add takedowns to their move set if they want to bring the fight to the ground and secure an advantageous position. We’ll explain in the following sections how to do this particular takedown correctly.
How is the Double Leg Takedown executed?
In the double leg takedown, you grab your opponent’s legs while pushing their upper body forward, forcing them to the ground. It sounds simple, but executing this move against a resisting defender can be challenging, and many fighters are on high alert against this move. This is how it’s done:
Set Up the Takedown
To start with, you have to have the right range. If your opponent blocks you with their hands, you’ll have a hard time getting to their legs. Check your range by extending your hand and seeing if you can reach your opponent. You want them just outside of your reach but not so far that you have to close too much ground. Stand too close, and your opponent will be able to block your attack.
Change your Level
Once you’ve checked your range, drop your level so you can move underneath your opponent’s arms and get past their primary defense. By dropping, you can go under and through their arms directly at the legs.
Close the Gap with your Opponent
As you drop, step in with your lead leg, putting pressure on your back leg so your front leg can cover the distance. Drop your front knee to the ground, secure both your opponent’s knees, step up, and drive with your lead leg and head to take your opponent down, landing in side control.
Don’t go straight at the legs because this will lead you right into your opponent’s hands. Step with your front leg, not your trailing leg, as this will slow you down and give your opponent time to react. Maintain good posture, and don’t lean forward, or your opponent will sprawl and flatten you out. Step deep with your lead leg, keeping your upper body tall. This posture makes it difficult for your opponent to sprawl, allowing you to drive them over.
Use Proper Grip Techniques
As you step in, grab your opponent’s legs just behind their knees, wrap your arms around the back of their thighs, and clasp your hands together to create a strong grip.
Drive & Lift
Use your legs to drive forward while pulling their’s toward you. Keep your head outside of their body while pressing against their hip or torso to maintain control and prevent them from twisting away. Lift them off the ground slightly and turn to one side to take them down.
Finishing the Takedown
Ideally, you’ll land in a dominant position, such as side control or guard, as you complete the takedown. Immediately establish control once your opponent is on the ground, and if you aren’t already, transition to a dominant position to continue your attack or stabilize the situation.
Different Forms of Double Leg Take Down
Blast Double Leg Takedown
The key characteristic of the blast double is its sheer force and speed, making it a highly effective technique for driving an opponent off their feet and onto the ground. Unlike a standard double leg, where you might set up the takedown with more finesse or chain it with other techniques, the blast double is all about speed and power. Charge forward aggressively, closing the distance between you and your opponent in a single, decisive motion.
Double Leg with a Trip
For this beginner variation, put your knee underneath the opponent’s butt and drive forward, and snake your hands around their knees to touch their calves. Drop the knee, and keep your head in their armpit while snaking your right leg behind their leg for the trip.
High Crotch to Double Leg Takedown
Start by getting a deep grip on your opponent’s leg, wrapping your inside hand around their upper thigh. Step deeply between their legs with your lead leg, and position your head outside their torso, pressing against their hip. If your opponent defends by sprawling or shifting their weight, transition to a double leg by switching your outside hand to their opposite knee or leg. Drive forward, using your head to push against their body while lifting and pulling their legs to take them down, ideally landing in a dominant position like side control or mount.
Advanced Applications of the Double Leg Takedown
Double Leg to Guard Pass
Once your opponent is down, control of their legs to prevent them from establishing a closed guard. Keep your posture low, with your chest close to their hips, and quickly pass their legs before they can set up a guard. If their legs are still open, use an over-under pass by dropping one shoulder into their thigh while controlling the other leg, flattening them out, and circling to side control. If you land with one knee between their legs, execute a knee cut pass by sliding your knee across their thigh, pushing the opposite leg away, and using head and shoulder pressure to pass to side control. Finish the pass by fully clearing their legs and securing your position, evenly distributing your weight to prevent sweeps or escapes.
Double Leg to Back Take
As they hit the mat, immediately circle toward your opponent’s back. Keep your chest close to their hips and use your grip on their legs to help maneuver around them. Slip behind them and insert your hooks to establish control over their upper body, ideally with a seatbelt grip or similar control.
Double Leg to Leg Lock
Once your opponent goes down, control one of their legs while releasing the other, and quickly position yourself so that your hips are close to the leg you’re targeting. Slide your hips or rotate to align yourself for the leg lock, keeping their leg trapped and securing a strong grip. From there, you can initiate the leg lock, such as an ankle lock or a heel hook.
Gi VS No Gi Double Leg Takedown
Gi Double Leg Takedown
In gi, you can use the gi itself to your advantage. Gripping your opponent’s collar, sleeve, or lapel gives you additional control and options for setting up the double leg. You can use a collar and sleeve grip to off-balance your opponent before shooting in. The gi also makes it easier to pull and manipulate your opponent to break their posture or disrupt their balance. When finishing the takedown, the gi gives you more leverage, but you also need to be cautious of getting tied up in their grips.
No Gi Double Leg Takedown
In no-gi, you rely more on body control and hand fighting since there’s no fabric to grip. The emphasis is on speed, athleticism, and securing a good underhook, collar tie, or wrist control to set up the takedown. Without the gi, you’ll need to maintain tight control through direct contact, such as clasping behind your opponent’s knees or gripping their waist. Your head position, level change, and driving force are critical, as there’s less friction to slow down or control your opponent.
Conclusion
The double leg takedown is a versatile and powerful technique essential for any grappler’s toolkit, whether you’re practicing in gi or no-gi. Mastering it will not only enhance your takedown game but also open up new opportunities for submissions and control on the ground. For more insights and techniques to elevate your BJJ game, check out our other articles on techniques like the rear naked choke and the knee slice pass. Keep training hard, and see you on the mats!