Single Leg From Cage

SubFamily

Translation: single leg from cage

Range & classification

Overview

The Single Leg From Cage subfamily covers single-leg takedown entries executed while the opponent is pressed against the cage, targeting one leg from the clinch position. ^[1] The attacker drops level and captures one of the opponent's legs while maintaining chest-to-chest pressure against the wall. ^[1],[2] Single legs from the cage are often preferred over double legs because they require less space to execute and can be initiated from various clinch positions including underhook, overhook, and collar tie. ^[2] The cage provides the control surface that prevents the opponent from hopping away on the free leg. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Cage Single LegWrestling^[1]Wall Single^[2]Fence Single LegWrestling^[3]

Used in

MMA

History & Origin

Single-leg attacks from the cage wall developed alongside the broader MMA cage wrestling system, as fighters found that isolating one leg was often more accessible than shooting for both in the confined space against the fence. ^[1] The technique became a staple of UFC wrestling exchanges. ^[2],[3]

Country of origin· shown in random order

BrazilMMA
USAMMA

Effectiveness

The single leg from the cage isolates one of the opponent's legs while using the wall to restrict their movement, then finishes with a lift, trip, or run-the-pipe. ^[1] The cage prevents circling away, which is the primary defence against open-mat single legs. ^[1],[2]

Lineage

The cage single leg was adapted from freestyle wrestling's single leg by MMA fighters who recognised the cage's tactical advantages. ^[1]

Competition Record

The single leg from the cage is one of the most frequently attempted takedowns in UFC competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

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

Videos

Lyubomir Kumbarov

Single leg defense variation, against the cage ..

Single Leg From Cage·Lyubomir Kumbarov

Wrestling for MMA & BJJ by Lyubo Kumbarov

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Moderate4/10

Cage/wall-assisted takedowns; controlled descent against structure

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

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 27PDF

Restricted

— 2-4 points

UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF

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 2025-26PDF

Training Notes

✓Target the leg closest to you — from the cage clinch, it's the one you have better access to

✓Drop your level and scoop behind the knee while keeping your shoulder pressed into their hip

✓Elevate the captured leg and step away from the cage to clear space for the finish

✓Use an inside trip on the standing leg if the opponent tries to hop and balance

✓Keep your head tight to their body — the cage prevents them from sprawling effectively

✓Chain to the other leg or a body lock if the single leg stalls

Common Mistakes

!Reaching for the far leg across the opponent's body — creates terrible leverage against the cage

!Letting the captured leg go when the opponent hops — keep it elevated and keep driving

!Dropping your head below the opponent's waist, inviting a guillotine

!Not stepping away from the cage with the captured leg, so the opponent can brace against the fence

!Attacking the same leg repeatedly without chaining to alternative attacks

!Forgetting to maintain upper body pressure with the opposite shoulder

Related Techniques

Double Leg Takedown — complementary leg attack that chains naturally from single leg setups Underhook — foundational clinch control that enables this takedown entry Sprawl Defence — the primary defensive technique against this takedown

Counter Techniques

Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt Whizzer (Overhook) — overhook the attacking arm and drive hip pressure to kill the angle Cross-Face — push the attacker's head across their body to break their grip and alignment Limp Leg — pull the attacked leg free by going limp and circling away

Setup Chain

1Level Change — lower your stance to penetrate below the opponent's arms

2Penetration Step — drive the lead knee between the opponent's feet

3Head Position — place head on the inside of the opponent's hip for control

4Grip the Leg — clasp hands behind the thigh or knee for a secure hold

5Drive and Finish — drive forward or angle off 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

Sub-techniques

Find by what a technique does — not its name

Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool — or compare equivalents across styles.

Standard Single Leg From Cage

Genus

The Standard Single Leg From Cage executes the fundamental cage-wall single leg where the attacker captures one leg from the clinch, typically by dropping the near arm to scoop behind the opponent's knee while maintaining upper body pressure against the wall. [1] The attacker then uses a combination of lifting, turning the corner, and driving forward to complete the takedown. [1,2] Common finishes include running the pipe (driving forward while elevating the leg), tripping the standing leg, or using a dump by rotating the opponent over the captured leg. [2] The wall prevents the opponent from creating the distance needed for effective hopping defence. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Single Leg From Cage work?

The Single Leg From Cage subfamily covers single-leg takedown entries executed while the opponent is pressed against the cage, targeting one leg from the clinch position. The attacker drops level and captures one of the opponent's legs while maintaining chest-to-chest pressure against the wall.

Where does the Single Leg From Cage come from?

Single-leg attacks from the cage wall developed alongside the broader MMA cage wrestling system, as fighters found that isolating one leg was often more accessible than shooting for both in the confined space against the fence. The technique became a staple of UFC wrestling exchanges.

Is the Single 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 Single Leg From Cage?

Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — cage/wall-assisted takedowns; controlled descent against structure

How do I set up the Single Leg From Cage?

The standard setup chain: Level Change → Penetration Step → Head Position → Grip the Leg → Drive and Finish.

How do I defend against the Single Leg From Cage?

Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Whizzer (Overhook) — overhook the attacking arm and drive hip pressure to kill the angle / Cross-Face — push the attacker's head across their body to break their grip and alignment / Limp Leg — pull the attacked leg free by going limp and circling away.

What are the variants of the Single 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 Single Leg From Cage in competition?

The single leg from the cage is one of the most frequently attempted takedowns in UFC competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Single Leg From Cage?

Top errors to watch for: Reaching for the far leg across the opponent's body — creates terrible leverage against the cage / Letting the captured leg go when the opponent hops — keep it elevated and keep driving / Dropping your head below the opponent's waist, inviting a guillotine / Not stepping away from the cage with the captured leg, so the opponent can brace against the fence.

What are other names for the Single Leg From Cage?

The Single Leg From Cage is also known as Shinguru Reggu (Kēji kara), Cage Single Leg, Wall Single, Fence Single Leg.

single leg from cage shinguru reggu k ji kara takedown clinch takedown wall takedown mma cage single leg wall single fence single leg