How to Do a Low Single Leg Takedown in Mixed Martial Arts

The low single leg takedown is most often used by smaller and faster mixed martial artists. It is not a power move. The low single leg takedown requires finesse and perfect technique. It also requires an extremely quick recovery since you are far away from your opponent's body when you take him down. The low single leg takedown works well against opponents with slow lead legs who like to keep their weight forward.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Judge your distance from your opponent. Never attempt a low single leg takedown when you are more than an arm's length from your opponent. If you give him time to react, he will move his front leg and fall on top of you.

2. Drop your center of gravity. Do this by bending both knees or falling to one knee. Keep perfect balance while doing this. You must get your center of gravity below your opponent's before attempting the low single leg takedown.

3. Launch forward off of your back leg. Shoot your outside shoulder at your opponent's forward leg. Your head should be between your opponent's feet. Your takedown attempt must be fast. Propel yourself at him like a bullet from a gun.

4. Impact your opponent's leg just below the knee. It is important that you are low so you will have the leverage to knock your opponent down.

5. Clasp both hands at your opponent's Achilles tendon. This is the sensitive ridge above the heel. Do not lace your fingers. Instead, place your hands palm to palm and perpendicular. Grab each hand with the other. This makes them more difficult to break apart.

6. Push and pull the leg. A basic principle of martial arts is that a push and pull together is stronger than both separately. Pull your opponent's heel toward you at the same time you push his knee forward with your shoulder. Meanwhile, keep your legs moving forward and drive your opponent backward. Since human knees do not bend backward, he will have no choice but to fall to the ground.

7. Recover quickly. When your opponent hits the ground you will be well below him holding his lower leg. You have no control over your opponent from this position. Climb his body and gain ground control before he can recover from the low single leg takedown.