The Ankle Pick To Take The Back Against The Turtle
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Standard Outside Ankle Pick·Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston·Added by Admin
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Standard Outside Ankle Pick
Genusアウトサイドアンクルピック(Autosaido Ankuru Pikku)
TransliterationTranslation: standard outside ankle pick
Overview
The Standard Outside Ankle Pick executes the fundamental outside-angle ankle pick where the attacker pushes the opponent's weight to one side using a collar tie or post, then reaches to the outside of the loaded foot to scoop the ankle while maintaining head control. [1] The push-pull dynamic redirects the opponent's weight onto one foot while the reaching hand captures that ankle from the outside. [1],[2] The finish involves pulling the ankle toward the attacker while driving the opponent's head and shoulders downward, creating a rotational collapse. [2] This technique is effective from both same-side and cross-body tie-up positions. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
The standard outside ankle pick is the fundamental version of the technique taught in wrestling programmes. [1]
Competition Record
Commonly seen in folkstyle and freestyle competition. [1]
Images
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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
1 video
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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
✓Post on the opponent's near shoulder with one hand, pushing their weight to the far side to load the far foot
✓Step to the outside and squat to reach the far ankle, scooping under the heel with your free hand
✓Pull the far ankle toward you and laterally while continuing to push their upper body away
✓The push-pull creates a rotational force that spins them off their base
✓Keep your posting arm stiff and extended to maintain distance and control
✓Follow through immediately to a dominant top position as they hit the mat
Common Mistakes
!Not creating enough lateral weight shift before picking — the far foot needs to be fully loaded
!Bending at the waist to reach instead of squatting down — exposes the neck and rounds the back
!Pulling the ankle straight toward you instead of laterally — they can hop and recover
!Letting the posting arm collapse, bringing you chest-to-chest where you can't reach
!Trying this from too far away — you need to be close enough that one step creates the angle
!Not following the opponent to the ground, letting them scramble back up
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
After I pick the ankle, what should I prioritize—getting the seatbelt or the hooks?
Prioritize the seatbelt first. According to Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston, you can have back control with the seatbelt alone without the hooks, and the seatbelt is more important for control than the hooks themselves.
What's the correct sequence for securing back control after the ankle pick?
Apply the seatbelt first, then add the hooks. Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston emphasizes this order is preferable because it positions your opponent on the strong side and ensures you maintain control throughout the transition.
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping once I've gripped the ankle?
Once you have the foot, immediately secure a hook over the arm and don't let go before hooking, otherwise your opponent will escape. Maintaining grip pressure is critical during this transition phase.
How does the Standard Outside Ankle Pick work?
The Standard Outside Ankle Pick executes the fundamental outside-angle ankle pick where the attacker pushes the opponent's weight to one side using a collar tie or post, then reaches to the outside of the loaded foot to scoop the ankle while maintaining head control. The push-pull dynamic redirects the opponent's weight onto one foot while the reaching hand captures that ankle from the outside.
Where does the Standard Outside Ankle Pick come from?
The outside ankle pick has been part of the wrestling takedown arsenal across multiple styles, with particular emphasis in folkstyle wrestling where the technique scores reliably in competition. It was adopted into MMA and BJJ as a versatile standing attack.
Is the Standard Outside 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 Outside 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 Outside Ankle Pick?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard Outside 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 Outside 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 Outside Ankle Pick in competition?
Commonly seen in folkstyle and freestyle competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Outside Ankle Pick?
Top errors to watch for: Not creating enough lateral weight shift before picking — the far foot needs to be fully loaded / Bending at the waist to reach instead of squatting down — exposes the neck and rounds the back / Pulling the ankle straight toward you instead of laterally — they can hop and recover / Letting the posting arm collapse, bringing you chest-to-chest where you can't reach.
What are other names for the Standard Outside Ankle Pick?
The Standard Outside Ankle Pick is also known as Autosaido Ankuru Pikku, Far Ankle Pick TD, Cross-Body Ankle Pick, Outside Ankle Grab Takedown.