Single Leg Takedown: Complete BJJ Technique Guide

# Single Leg Takedown: Complete BJJ Technique Guide

## What is the Single Leg Takedown?

The Single Leg Takedown is a fundamental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu technique that every practitioner should master. Whether you're a white belt just starting out or an experienced grappler refining your game, understanding the mechanics and timing of this technique will elevate your BJJ.

## How to Perform the Single Leg Takedown

Here's a detailed breakdown based on expert instruction:

# Single Leg Takedown

Okay guys, so let's work here the single leg take down. So basically, I always gonna attack the lead leg, okay? Focus on the hands fight. So basically, to get his leg, I first have to work to clean his hands. Always, when I have a single leg, my head should be inside. So my head should be inside, and then I grab his leg. Important detail here, if I have my left arm holding his leg, I always put palm of my hand down.

Why? Because like this is a lot harder for him to break my grip. If I hold like this, he can go back a little bit. He can pull my arm here. Just hold my wrist. Yes, like that. So if I do this, try to break it. It's going to be a lot harder.

So remember, if you have left arm holding, palm down, and then you connect the hands. What's important here? I'm going to put my shoulder on his thigh. I always place it on his thigh. This technique is called "Run the Pipe". So basically, I always place it on his thigh, not to the outside.

So to place it on his thigh, I step to the outside, I press my shoulder on his thigh. I start forcing down to put weight to drop him down and then I step back my leg.

Okay, so one more time. Why is important to step one and then circle the other leg too? Because I don't want to throw the guy above my leg. I don't want to create leverage against myself. So I have to move my leg out of the way, almost like I'm moving like a compass. So we're here.

I catch. Always head inside. Don't do single leg with head outside because it's quite dangerous. Drop your shoulder. Step one. Circle the leg too.

Okay, let's do the other side. We're here, hands fight, clean his hands out of the way, grab his leg. So my right arm is holding, palm down, connect the hands. Shoulder, step one, circle the leg two.

Alright, let's try.

## Key Points to Remember

When drilling the Single Leg Takedown, focus on these essential details:

1. **Positioning** — Your body position determines your success rate

2. **Timing** — Wait for the right moment, don't force it

3. **Grip** — Secure proper grips before committing to the technique

4. **Finish** — Follow through completely once you initiate

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many practitioners struggle with the Single Leg Takedown because they:

- Rush the technique without proper setup

- Neglect the importance of base and balance

- Forget to control their opponent's reactions

- Don't drill both sides equally

## When to Use the Single Leg Takedown

The Single Leg Takedown works best when:

- Your opponent's weight distribution creates an opening

- You've set up the technique with proper grips

- You can commit fully to the movement

- You have a follow-up ready if the initial attempt fails

## Track Your Single Leg Takedown Progress

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*This technique guide is based on instruction from Professor Henrique, covering the Single Leg Takedown as part of the JitsAI Fundamentals Course.*