The Inverted Ankle Pick by Hudson Taylor
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Standard Inside Ankle Pick·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics·Added by Admin
Ankle pick is one of the main techniques used by wrestlers in grappling. In this video Hudson Taylor shows a great varia…
Standard Inside Ankle Pick
Genusインサイドアンクルピック(Insaido Ankuru Pikku)
TransliterationTranslation: standard inside ankle pick
Overview
The Standard Inside Ankle Pick executes the fundamental inside-angle ankle pick where the attacker uses a collar tie to snap the opponent's posture forward, loading their weight onto the near foot, then reaches down with the free hand to scoop the loaded ankle while pulling the head downward. [1] The motion creates a wheel effect: the head goes down as the ankle comes up, collapsing the opponent's base and bringing them to the mat. [1],[2] The technique requires timing the reach with the moment of maximum forward weight commitment from the opponent. [2] The attacker typically finishes in a dominant position beside the downed opponent. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The inside ankle pick is a high-percentage takedown in folkstyle wrestling because it requires minimal energy expenditure and can be executed from standard tie-up positions. [1] The technique exploits the opponent's forward weight commitment, using a head snap to load the target foot and a quick scoop to remove it. [1] In MMA, the ankle pick has become increasingly popular because it avoids the deep level change that exposes the attacker to knees and uppercuts. [2]
Lineage
The standard inside ankle pick is the baseline version taught in wrestling programmes at all levels. [1]
Competition Record
Cael Sanderson used the ankle pick extensively during his undefeated 159-0 collegiate career at Iowa State University (1999-2002), making it one of the most feared techniques in NCAA wrestling during that era. [1] In MMA, Georges St-Pierre utilised ankle picks as part of his varied takedown game during his UFC welterweight title reign. [2]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Snap-down of the head combined with reach for the far or near ankle — breaks posture and removes base
Joints Involved — Opponent's ankle (grasped and lifted), cervical spine (snap-down pressure), attacker's hips (level change)
Force Vector — Downward head pressure combined with upward ankle lift creates opposing forces that topple the opponent
Takedown Mechanic — Minimal-commitment attack — does not require deep level change or penetration step
Position & Entry
From collar tie (snap-down) — Snap the opponent's head down, reach for the far ankle while maintaining head pressure, lift and sweep
From hand fighting — Push-pull to break the opponent's posture, reach for the near or far ankle when they step forward
From two-on-one setup — Control one arm with two-on-one, use it to pull the opponent forward while reaching for the ankle
Variants
Inside ankle pick — reaching to the near ankle from inside tie position
Outside ankle pick — reaching to the far ankle from outside angle
Snap-down to ankle pick — using a snap-down to expose the ankle for the pick
Videos
Ankle Pick Breakdown: EASY & LOW RISK Takedown For Grappling
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Standard Inside Ankle Pick·Giancarlo Bodoni
Ankle Pick Breakdown: EASY & LOW RISK Takedown For Grappling // The ankle pick is one of my all time favorite takedown…
Dominate Grips & Get the Takedown in BJJ with Ankle Pick
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Standard Inside Ankle Pick·Chewjitsu
In this video I show a simple way to use the Ankle Pick in BJJ to counter stiff arm grips with the gi. If you've ever …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard inside ankle pick is a front-leg takedown executed by attacking the opponent's ankle from the inside angle while maintaining upper-body control. Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics, instructing Hudson Taylor's inverted ankle pick method, emphasizes initiating with a sleeve grip and feinting a single-leg attack to force the opponent's foot backward; once the foot steps back, the attacking hand drops to the inside of the ankle while pulling down on the sleeve and lifting the ankle upward simultaneously. The technique succeeds because the opponent loses a posting option and becomes off-balanced. Chewjitsu details the angle-pick setup using cross-collar and sleeve grips in the gi, stressing early grip dominance to prevent stiff-arming; the attacker creates an angle, drops low, and pulls the leg in. Chewjitsu notes the collar grip creates leverage that counters defensive hand placement. Giancarlo Bodoni frames the ankle pick as a low-risk alternative to double and single-leg takedowns, explaining it avoids body-weight commitment and guillotine danger. Bodoni describes the straight ankle pick from a collar tie, where the attacker posts, clubs the opponent's head, circles to square the stance, then drops the knee while bringing the opponent's head directly over the targeted foot before picking and pulling in the direction the toes point. Bodoni also presents the cross ankle pick as a secondary option when the opponent steps out of the initial pick. All three instructors agree on the importance of control and balance disruption through upper-body positioning before executing the ankle pick.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — The Inverted Ankle Pick by Hudson Taylor: Teaches the inverted/inside ankle pick using sleeve grip and feinted single-leg attack; emphasizes forcing opponent's foot to step back before dropping the inside hand to the ankle; details pull-down on sleeve while lifting ankle; provides fallback to reverse low single-leg if initial pick fails.
- Chewjitsu — Dominate Grips & Get the Takedown in BJJ with Ankle Pick: Covers angle-pick setup in gi using cross-collar and sleeve grips; emphasizes early grip dominance through hand control and swatting; demonstrates creating angle to force opponent to step sideways; addresses defensive stiff-arming and provides variations for different collar-grip scenarios.
- Giancarlo Bodoni — Ankle Pick Breakdown: EASY & LOW RISK Takedown For Grappling: Positions ankle pick as low-risk takedown alternative; details straight ankle pick from collar tie using post, club, and circle to square stance; emphasizes bringing opponent's head over the targeted foot; introduces cross ankle pick as secondary option when opponent steps out of initial pick; compares risks favorably against double-leg and single-leg takedowns.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Ankle pick uses minimal force; one of the lowest-impact takedowns
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 a collar tie, snap the opponent's head downward to load their front foot, then squat and reach inside to cup the heel
✓Pull the heel forward toward you while driving the collar tie downward — this creates opposing forces that collapse their stance
✓Step to the side as you pick to create an angle that prevents them bracing
✓The picking motion is a scoop, not a grab — cup under the heel and lift forward
✓Follow through by continuing to drive their head down as the foot comes up
✓Immediately advance to a top position as they fall
Common Mistakes
!Grabbing the ankle instead of scooping the heel — a grab is easier to shake off
!Snapping and picking at the same time instead of sequencing: snap first, load the weight, then pick
!Keeping your weight forward over your toes during the pick, making you vulnerable to a snap-down counter
!Not stepping offline, so the opponent can simply step their picked foot backward
!Releasing head control after the pick, letting them posture up and recover
!Trying the pick against an opponent in a staggered stance with the target foot far back
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptUnderhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entryPost and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angleLevel Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence
Setup Chain
1Establish Contact — use grip, tie, or clinch to control the opponent
2Create Off-Balance — use push-pull action to disrupt the opponent's base
3Execute the Takedown — apply the specific takedown mechanic with commitment
4Follow to Ground — maintain control as the opponent goes down to secure position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese amateur wrestling terminology
Standard katakana transliteration used in Japanese wrestling (レスリング)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hand speed, snap-down power, timing
Favours
long arms for reaching the ankle, quick reflexes
Key muscles
deltoids, forearm grip, core, neck (for snap-down)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up the ankle pick if my opponent is stiff-arming me?
Dominate grips early by swatting your opponent's hands down before they can establish control, then get your grips in place to set up the technique. Chewjitsu emphasizes being proactive with hand position rather than letting your opponent dictate the grip exchange.
What's the basic sequence for executing an ankle pick?
Get an angle, drop down, and pull the leg in. According to Chewjitsu, you want to get your opponent to step to one side while you establish a slight angle, then drop and pull that leg to complete the takedown.
When I drop for the ankle pick, how should I position my head and arm?
Giancarlo Bodoni advises dropping down while bringing your opponent's head down with you—don't drop with an extended arm. Keep your elbow tight and heavy, bringing their head specifically over the foot you're picking to finish the takedown.
What's a key safety tip after landing the ankle pick?
Let go of the collar grip immediately after the takedown and pull your elbow back, as holding the collar can put you in danger of an armbar. Chewjitsu stresses this as an important detail to avoid getting caught in a submission.
How does the Standard Inside Ankle Pick work?
The Standard Inside Ankle Pick executes the fundamental inside-angle ankle pick where the attacker uses a collar tie to snap the opponent's posture forward, loading their weight onto the near foot, then reaches down with the free hand to scoop the loaded ankle while pulling the head downward. The motion creates a wheel effect: the head goes down as the ankle comes up, collapsing the opponent's base and bringing them to the mat.
Where does the Standard Inside Ankle Pick come from?
The inside ankle pick has been a staple of American folkstyle wrestling for generations, taught as a fundamental stand-up technique alongside the single and double leg. Its simplicity and effectiveness ensured its adoption into BJJ, sambo, and MMA training curricula.
Is the Standard Inside Ankle Pick 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 Inside Ankle Pick?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — ankle pick uses minimal force; one of the lowest-impact takedowns
How do I set up the Standard Inside Ankle Pick?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard Inside Ankle Pick?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Underhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entry / Post and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angle / Level Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence.
What are the variants of the Standard Inside Ankle Pick?
Common variants: Inside ankle pick (reaching to the near ankle from inside tie position); Outside ankle pick (reaching to the far ankle from outside angle); Snap-down to ankle pick (using a snap-down to expose the ankle for the pick).
How effective is the Standard Inside Ankle Pick in competition?
Cael Sanderson used the ankle pick extensively during his undefeated 159-0 collegiate career at Iowa State University (1999-2002), making it one of the most feared techniques in NCAA wrestling during that era. In MMA, Georges St-Pierre utilised ankle picks as part of his varied takedown game during his UFC welterweight title reign.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Inside Ankle Pick?
Top errors to watch for: Grabbing the ankle instead of scooping the heel — a grab is easier to shake off / Snapping and picking at the same time instead of sequencing: snap first, load the weight, then pick / Keeping your weight forward over your toes during the pick, making you vulnerable to a snap-down counter / Not stepping offline, so the opponent can simply step their picked foot backward.
What are other names for the Standard Inside Ankle Pick?
The Standard Inside Ankle Pick is also known as Insaido Ankuru Pikku, Inside Ankle Grab Takedown, Near Ankle Pick TD, Standard Ashi-dori.