Clinch & Body Fold Takedown
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Body Fold Takedown·White Tiger Martial Arts Academy
Rotation 3 - Intermediate - Clinch (brown stripe) - TSP program
Translation: body fold takedown
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
The Body Fold Takedown uses the clinch to fold the opponent's body forward over a posted leg, tripping them to the ground. [1]
Clinch Body FoldForward Trip
History & Origin
Documented by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher in their systematic approach to jujitsu. [1]
Country of origin· shown in random order
- BrazilBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA
- JapanBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo
- USAMMA
Effectiveness
Core grappling technique proven at the highest levels. [1]
Lineage
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu; Renzo Gracie lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Body Fold Takedown-specific mechanics
Position & Entry
From clinch or guard — Execute body fold takedown
Variants
Standard Body Fold Takedown
Videos
Body Fold Takedown - Greco Wrestling Body Lock Basic Take Down for BJJ Grappling MMA
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Body Fold Takedown·Peter Mettler Martial Arts
Body Fold - The First throw my 3 time Olympic Competitor Wrestling Trainer showed us. Utmost control, zero risk, perfect…
Gracie Combatives lesson 14: Body Fold Takedown
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Body Fold Takedown·Andrew Campbell
Andy and Elwira practice the fight simulation drill from lesson 14 of the Gracie Combatives program.
M.G.C. Self-Defense Lesson #14: Body Fold Takedown
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Body Fold Takedown·Modesto Judo Club
M.G.C. Self-Defense Lesson #14: Body Fold Takedown
Body Fold Takedown
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Body Fold Takedown·Bigger is Better
How to setup and use the basic body fold takedown
Body Fold Takedown(GRACIE WAY)
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Body Fold Takedown·PlayColeGRACIEJJ
sorry i have perental controls just sad ps i used to do it the gracie way
Body Fold Takedown Entry Details Gracie Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Short
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Body Fold Takedown·Peter Mettler Martial Arts
Safe Clinch to Body Fold Takedown
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Body Fold Takedown·Team Daruma Dojo
The Body Fold Takedown: Structure Over Strength
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Body Fold Takedown·The BJJ Project
Body fold takedown from double unders - structure-based control to mount for BJJ. No strength required, focuses on prope…
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9 videosWhat Instructors Say
The body fold takedown is a fundamental clinch takedown executed from an over-under grip position, where the practitioner secures one underhook and one overhook on the opponent. According to Bigger is Better, the technique works best when the opponent stands their ground rather than pushing forward, making it preferable to hip tosses in certain defensive scenarios. The execution begins by pummeling to establish a secure two-handed grip across the opponent's back or by connecting hands around the torso. From PlayColeGRACIEJJ's perspective, the technique is particularly effective when the opponent attempts to punch, as their natural lean-back creates the body arch needed for the fold. The practitioner then drops their level, pulls the opponent's hips close, and uses their shoulder and chest to fold the opponent's upper body backward while maintaining hip contact, ultimately passing to mount position. Peter Mettler Martial Arts emphasizes the importance of maintaining contact from head to toe, stepping with the knee positioned near the opponent's heel, and keeping an upright posture to prevent the opponent from using head control as a counter. The leg placement is critical—the knee behind the standing leg drives into it to control balance. All instructors agree that proper hand positioning (shovel or Indian grip behind the back), tight hip connection, and controlled backward driving motion are essential, though they emphasize different entry details and situational applications.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Bigger is Better — Body Fold Takedown: Established the over-under grip foundation, explained when body fold is preferable to hip tosses (when opponent doesn't push/keeps hips away), detailed the pummeling mechanics and hand connection across the back, emphasized tight hip positioning and controlled backward drive, and noted the importance of separating hands to avoid injury.
- PlayColeGRACIEJJ — Body Fold Takedown(GRACIE WAY): Provided situational context that the technique is most effective when opponent attempts to punch and naturally leans back, described the clinch positioning with head facing inside and hips off to outside, detailed the mechanics of using shoulder and chest to fold while pulling the pelvis in, emphasized the importance of maintaining core strength during the fall, and noted the interchangeability with leg hook takedown.
- Peter Mettler Martial Arts — Body Fold Takedown - Greco Wrestling Body Lock Basic Take Down for BJJ Grappling MMA: Emphasized foundational wrestling principles, detailed precise foot and knee positioning (stepping behind heel, knee driving into opponent's standing leg), stressed maintaining vertical posture and head-to-toe contact to prevent counters, explained hand locking mechanics and hip-to-hip connection, addressed height adjustments, and highlighted the low-risk nature of the technique.
- Peter Mettler Martial Arts — Body Fold Takedown Entry Details Gracie Jiu Jitsu Self Defense Short: Provided entry mechanics emphasizing aggressive forehead-to-chest contact, shooting with intensity to initiate backward bending, and using the arm squeeze to prevent soup plate counters.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Positional technique
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
WBC/Boxing — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding results in point deduction {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
K-1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— WAKO — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no...
WAKO Competition RulesPDFLegal
— Unified MMA — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— grip fighting
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work pe...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IFMA — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai,...
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF— UWW — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the pri...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFTraining Notes
✓Focus on the squeeze direction for chokes (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Common Mistakes
!Poor grip
!Rushing the technique
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Clinch → Body Fold Takedown
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
1Book[1] Gracie, R. and Danaher, J. (2003). Mastering Jujitsu. Human Kinetics. ISBN 0-7360-4404-3.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Gracie, R
2Citation[1] Gracie, R. and Danaher, J. (2003). Mastering Jujitsu. Human Kinetics. ISBN 0-7360-4404-3.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Gracie, R
Community
Athletics
Good grip and body control
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake when stepping in for a body fold takedown?
Peter Mettler explains that stepping around and bending forward is the most common mistake—when you're bent forward, your opponent can grab your head and take you down. Instead, maintain an upright position and stability so that if your opponent tries to grab your head and bend you, they cannot because you're too stable.
What grip should I use for the body fold takedown?
Peter Mettler recommends using a shovel grip, pulling behind your opponent's back lock and then pulling their hip towards your hip for very good control. The BJJ Project emphasizes using a monkey grip rather than a C-clamp or gable grip, as flared elbows will compromise your position if your opponent pushes back.
How do I maintain control if my opponent tries to push their butt back?
The BJJ Project teaches that you must lock up the hip line at the tailbone and never rely on just hugging the waist—if your opponent pushes their butt back while you're only hugging the waist, you will lose control. Additionally, keep your head position on their crosshairs (ear to their shoulder) and add weight downward into their feet to prevent them from stepping backward.
Where should I position myself after the takedown lands?
The BJJ Project stresses that you want the takedown first, then the mount, making sure you end up in the middle of your opponent's body rather than on their hips or shoulders. This positioning prevents you from ending up with their feet in front of you and ensures you secure a strong mounted position.
How does the Body Fold Takedown work?
The Body Fold Takedown uses the clinch to fold the opponent's body forward over a posted leg, tripping them to the ground.
Where does the Body Fold Takedown come from?
Documented by Renzo Gracie and John Danaher in their systematic approach to jujitsu.
Is the Body Fold Takedown legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA; IJF: legal — Legal — kumi-kata (grip fighting) is fundamental to judo; IBJJF: legal — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work permitted; IFMA: legal — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai, clinch dominance is highly…; WBC/Boxing: restricted — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding resu…; K: restricted — 1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks; WAKO: restricted — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no clinch fighting in most fo…; UWW: legal — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the primary position in Greco-Roman
How dangerous is the Body Fold Takedown?
Danger rating 3/10. Positional technique
How do I set up the Body Fold Takedown?
The standard setup chain: Clinch → Body Fold Takedown.
How do I defend against the Body Fold Takedown?
Standard counters include: Posture / Stack / Von Flue choke.
What are the variants of the Body Fold Takedown?
Common variants: Standard Body Fold Takedown.
How effective is the Body Fold Takedown in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Body Fold Takedown?
Top errors to watch for: Poor grip / Rushing the technique.
What are other names for the Body Fold Takedown?
The Body Fold Takedown is also known as Body Fold Takedown, Clinch Body Fold, Forward Trip.