Basic Double Leg Takedown
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Standard Double Leg From Cage·Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne
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Standard Double Leg From Cage
Genusダブルレッグ（ケージから）(Daburu Reggu (Kēji kara))
HybridTranslation: standard double leg from cage
Overview
The Standard Double Leg From Cage executes the fundamental cage-wall double leg where the attacker drops level from a clinch position, wraps both arms around the opponent's thighs, and drives upward and forward to lift or trip the opponent to the mat. [1] The attacker typically uses an underhook or collar tie to control the opponent against the wall, then drops the level by bending the knees and shooting the arms to the legs in a single motion. [1],[2] The wall prevents the opponent from sprawling, so the primary defence becomes hip position and underhook fighting. [2] The finish involves lifting the opponent's legs while driving the chest forward to topple them. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The double leg from the cage (or wall) is one of the most effective takedowns in MMA because the cage prevents the opponent from retreating, eliminating the primary defence against double-leg shots. [1] The cage wall acts as a backstop, allowing the attacker to pin the opponent and work for the takedown with sustained pressure. [1]
Lineage
The standard cage double leg is the fundamental cage-wrestling adaptation of the open-mat double leg takedown. [1]
Competition Record
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Level change and forward drive — penetrating step closes distance, shoulder drives into opponent's hips
Joints Involved — Attacker's knees (deep bend for level change), hips (explosive extension for drive), shoulders (contact point)
Force Vector — Forward and upward — shoulder pressure lifts opponent's centre of gravity while legs drive through
Takedown Mechanic — Disruption of base — clasping both legs eliminates the opponent's ability to post or backstep
Position & Entry
From wrestling stance (outside step) — Set up with jab or collar tie, level change with a penetration step, drive shoulder into opponent's hips, clasp both legs and drive through
From collar tie setup — Snap the opponent's head down, when they react by posturing up, change level and shoot the double
From underhook position — Secure an underhook, use it to clear the opponent's defence, change level and blast into the double leg
Variants
Blast double — high-impact forward drive through the opponent without changing direction
Snatch double — pulling both legs together and driving laterally
Run-the-pipe double — running through the opponent in a linear drive
Low double — deep penetration step attacking below the knees
Videos
Jordan Burroughs Blast Double Breakdown
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Standard Double Leg From Cage·RUDIS
Refined and perfected over a decade, 6x World and Olympic Champion Jordan Burroughs breaks down the Double Leg Takedown …
Top 5 Wrestling Moves *DOUBLE LEGS*
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Standard Double Leg From Cage·Cayden Henschel
Top 5 Wrestling Moves is back! Here I go over my top 5 double legs you can do. Check out the Patreon! https://www.patre…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard double leg from cage is executed through a coordinated sequence of positioning, level change, and explosive penetration. Cayden Henschel emphasizes the importance of foot placement and finish mechanics, noting that the shooter should step deep, place the front knee to the mat, and drive through the legs while hooking or securing the opponent, finishing by stepping through to establish control. Jordan Burroughs, as detailed by RUDIS, breaks the technique into five progressive steps: post (using one heavy hand to create imbalance), club (heavy hand strikes to maintain pressure), circle (footwork to square the opponent's stance), level change (releasing the opponent's head and dropping underneath their hands), and penetration (explosive hip drive through the opponent's body). Absolute MMA St Kilda emphasizes fundamental range management, dropping level to move underneath the opponent's hands rather than attacking directly at the legs, leading with the front leg, placing the front knee deeply to the ground to maintain proper posture, and driving to the side to finish in side control. All three instructors agree on the critical importance of dropping level before shooting, the explosive drive through the hips, and maintaining good upper body posture to prevent sprawl. They differ in emphasis: Henschel provides multiple setup variations (drag, blast, JB double, pass, pick), Burroughs focuses on the methodical five-step breakdown with hand control preceding the shot, and Absolute MMA prioritizes beginner-friendly mechanics and common mistakes for MMA/jiu-jitsu contexts.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Cayden Henschel — Top 5 Wrestling Moves *DOUBLE LEGS*: Detailed multiple setup variations including the drag double, blast double, JB double (shoulder/head strike), pass double, and pick double. Emphasized knee placement, the importance of stepping deep, the hook finish variation, and finishing mechanics for securing control.
- Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne — Basic Double Leg Takedown: Provided foundational MMA/jiu-jitsu-focused instruction emphasizing range checking, level drop, leading with the front leg, deep knee placement for posture, avoiding common mistakes (going straight at legs, stepping with trail leg, dropping wrong knee), and landing in side control position.
- RUDIS — Jordan Burroughs Blast Double Breakdown: Systematized the technique into five discrete steps: post (single heavy hand to create imbalance), club (heavy hand strikes), circle (footwork to square stance), level change (releasing head and dropping under hands), and penetration (explosive hip drive). Emphasized maintaining low stance position, hip lock, and driving across the opponent's back.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Cage/wall-assisted takedowns; controlled descent against structure
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— IJF — Banned since 2010 leg grab prohibition — direct han...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFRestricted
Legal
— 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal — all takedowns permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF— 2 points
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓From the cage clinch, drop your level by bending your knees, drive your shoulder into their midsection, and wrap both arms behind their thighs
✓Pop your hips and extend your legs to lift their feet off the ground
✓Step backward away from the cage as you lift, then rotate to deposit them on the mat
✓Keep squeezing the thighs together throughout the lift to prevent them posting a foot
✓Land with your chest across theirs and immediately pass to side control
✓Drill the drop-wrap-lift as a single explosive motion
Common Mistakes
!Dropping to the knees during the level change, killing your driving power
!Wrapping the legs separately instead of clasping behind both thighs
!Not stepping away from the fence after the lift, ending up tangled against the cage
!Head buried too low in their stomach, losing the ability to see and react
!Releasing the leg grip too early after lifting, letting them land on their feet
!Not driving the shoulder into their hips, making the lift pure arm strength
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptSprawl and Cross-Face — combine hip drop with head push to flatten the attackerGuillotine Choke — wrap the head during the shot attempt and apply front headlock pressureKnee Strike — time a rising knee to meet the incoming level change
Setup Chain
1Setup with Strikes or Feint — use a jab or level-change feint to hide the shot
2Level Change — drop hips below the opponent's hands
3Penetration Step — explosive forward step between the opponent's legs
4Head in Chest — drive forehead into the sternum while wrapping both legs
5Lift and Drive — elevate the hips and drive through to complete the takedown
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese MMA standard terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese MMA standard terminology
2OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
3CitationJapanese MMA standard terminology
Katakana transliteration used in Japanese MMA/Shooto
Community
Athletics
Requires
explosive lower body power, level change speed, forward drive
Favours
stocky build with strong legs and low centre of gravity
Key muscles
quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, core, shoulders
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know the right distance to shoot from for a double leg?
You want to be just outside striking/reaching range. Check your distance by extending your arm straight—if you can't reach your opponent, they can't reach you. You don't want to be so far that you have to cover too much ground, but close enough that they can't block or strike you as you come in.
Should I drop my level before or while I shoot the double leg?
You want to drop your level before you shoot in, moving underneath your opponent's arms which are the main thing that will block you. Keep good posture with your upper body tall as you drive through.
Which leg should I step forward with on a double leg?
Lead with your lead leg (front leg), not your trail leg. This is faster because your leg is already forward and covers ground quicker. Make sure you step deep so your knee goes to the ground and you maintain good posture with your upper body tall.
Why is posting with my hand important when shooting a double leg?
According to Jordan Burroughs, you want to bring one hand up as a heavy post to knock your opponent off balance while keeping your other hand at home to protect and defend your legs. This makes your opponent uncomfortable and out of position before you finish the takedown.
How does the Standard Double Leg From Cage work?
The Standard Double Leg From Cage executes the fundamental cage-wall double leg where the attacker drops level from a clinch position, wraps both arms around the opponent's thighs, and drives upward and forward to lift or trip the opponent to the mat. The attacker typically uses an underhook or collar tie to control the opponent against the wall, then drops the level by bending the knees and shooting the arms to the legs in a single motion.
Where does the Standard Double Leg From Cage come from?
The cage double leg became a foundational MMA wrestling technique during the sport's development in the late 1990s and 2000s. Fighters with folkstyle and freestyle wrestling backgrounds were the first to adapt their double-leg mechanics to the cage environment.
Is the Standard Double Leg From Cage legal in competition?
IJF: banned — Banned since 2010 leg grab prohibition — direct hansoku-make for touching opp…; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: restricted — Legal in freestyle (2-4 points), banned in Greco-Roman (no attacks below waist); Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: legal — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal — all takedowns permitted; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, scored as takedown (2 points)
How dangerous is the Standard Double Leg From Cage?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — cage/wall-assisted takedowns; controlled descent against structure
How do I set up the Standard Double Leg From Cage?
The standard setup chain: Setup with Strikes or Feint → Level Change → Penetration Step → Head in Chest → Lift and Drive.
How do I defend against the Standard Double Leg From Cage?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Sprawl and Cross-Face — combine hip drop with head push to flatten the attacker / Guillotine Choke — wrap the head during the shot attempt and apply front headlock pressure / Knee Strike — time a rising knee to meet the incoming level change.
What are the variants of the Standard Double Leg From Cage?
Common variants: Blast double (high-impact forward drive through the opponent without ch…); Snatch double (pulling both legs together and driving laterally); Run-the-pipe double (running through the opponent in a linear drive); Low double (deep penetration step attacking below the knees).
How effective is the Standard Double Leg From Cage in competition?
Cage double legs are among the most frequently completed takedowns in UFC competition. Khabib Nurmagomedov's cage wrestling, which included extensive use of wall-assisted double legs, contributed to his undefeated 29-0 record and UFC lightweight championship reign (2018-2020).
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Double Leg From Cage?
Top errors to watch for: Dropping to the knees during the level change, killing your driving power / Wrapping the legs separately instead of clasping behind both thighs / Not stepping away from the fence after the lift, ending up tangled against the cage / Head buried too low in their stomach, losing the ability to see and react.
What are other names for the Standard Double Leg From Cage?
The Standard Double Leg From Cage is also known as Daburu Reggu (Kēji kara), Cage Double TD, Wall Double Leg Takedown, Fence Double.