Jordan Burroughs Blast Double Breakdown
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Standard Blast Double·RUDIS
Refined and perfected over a decade, 6x World and Olympic Champion Jordan Burroughs breaks down the Double Leg Takedown …
Standard Blast Double
Genusブラストダブル(Burasuto Daburu)
TransliterationTranslation: standard blast double
Overview
The Standard Blast Double executes the fundamental explosive double leg where the attacker fires a deep penetration step, drives the shoulder into the opponent's midsection, wraps both arms around the thighs, and powers through the opponent using continuous leg drive. [1] The key elements are explosive first-step speed, head placement on the inside (ear to the opponent's hip), and relentless forward pressure after contact. [1],[2] The technique finishes with the opponent driven flat to their back while the attacker maintains chest-to-chest pressure in a dominant top position. [2] The blast double is most effective when the opponent is standing upright with their weight on their heels. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The blast double is one of the highest-percentage takedowns in folkstyle and freestyle wrestling when initiated from a proper set-up. [1] Its reliance on explosive forward drive makes it most effective against upright opponents but vulnerable to sprawl defence when telegraphed. [1] In MMA, the blast double remains a primary takedown tool but carries risk of guillotine choke counters when head position is inside rather than outside the hip. [2]
Lineage
The blast double is a cornerstone of American collegiate wrestling, systematised through the NCAA folkstyle tradition from the early 20th century onward. [1] Dan Gable's coaching at the University of Iowa (1976-1997) emphasised explosive double-leg attacks as a programme signature, producing numerous NCAA and Olympic champions. [2] In judo, the equivalent technique morote gari was classified as a Kodokan nage-waza technique before its IJF competition ban in 2010. [3]
Competition Record
The double leg (including blast variations) is the most frequently attempted takedown in NCAA Division I wrestling. [1] In UFC competition, the double leg accounts for approximately 32% of all successful takedowns according to FightMetric data. [2] John Smith used blast double entries en route to two Olympic gold medals (1988, 1992) in freestyle wrestling at 62 kg. [3]
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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
Top 5 Wrestling Moves *DOUBLE LEGS*
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Standard Blast Double·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…
Jordan Burroughs Blast Double Leg
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Standard Blast Double·Bradley Fiorito (Wrestling Mastery)
Hi I'm Coach Fiorito and in this video I have the honor of breaking down the best double leg takedown of this era. As al…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard blast double is a direct, explosive leg-attack takedown executed from neutral stance or close range, characterized by a rapid level change and penetration step that drives the attacker's head and chest into the opponent's torso while securing both legs. RUDIS (Jordan Burroughs) breaks the technique into five sequential steps: the post (establishing contact and disrupting balance with one hand while keeping the other available for defense), the club (using heavy hands to maintain pressure and keep the opponent uncomfortable), the circle (footwork to square the opponent's stance and close any gaps), the level change (explosive drop with the hips driven underneath the body as the head is released from the initial grip), and the penetration step (driving through the opponent's hips with force and extension). Cayden Henschel emphasizes the blast double as a shot taken from space with committed level change and head positioning, noting that the attacker's head strikes approximately the chest/upper torso area while feet drive laterally to avoid collision with the opponent's knees. Bradley Fiorito (Wrestling Mastery) focuses on the technical refinement demonstrated by Burroughs, particularly the split-step penetration (back step to load the drive leg while the penetration foot falls forward), the offset foot positioning for maximum surface area and drive, the knee-to-knee progression when standing the opponent up, and the critical role of head position (forehead to chest) in controlling the opponent and preventing sprawls. All three instructors agree on the importance of committed fakes preceding the shot, explosive hip drive, and maintaining head control throughout the finish. Where they differ slightly, Henschel provides broader context by presenting the blast double among five distinct double-leg variations, while Burroughs and Fiorito isolate and deeply analyze the standard version used by a world-class performer.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- RUDIS — Jordan Burroughs Blast Double Breakdown: Provides the foundational five-step framework (post, club, circle, level change, penetration) and emphasizes the importance of keeping hands separated during the post, maintaining low head position, and using footwork to square the opponent's stance before explosive penetration.
- Cayden Henschel — Top 5 Wrestling Moves *DOUBLE LEGS*: Presents the blast double as one of five takedown variations and describes shooting from space with committed level changes, lateral foot movement to avoid the opponent's knees, and various hand placement options (wrapping or pulling knees).
- Bradley Fiorito (Wrestling Mastery) — Jordan Burroughs Blast Double Leg: Analyzes technical details including split-step penetration mechanics, offset foot positioning for grip and drive surface, knee-to-knee driving progression, the role of forehead-to-chest head placement in controlling sprawl, and timing of the shot in relation to opponent reactions and re-attacks.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Double leg drives through opponent; moderate impact on landing
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Beginner
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
✓Fire a deep penetration step, driving the shoulder into the belly button while wrapping both arms tight around the thighs
✓Keep your feet moving after contact — short, choppy, powerful steps that drive through them
✓Your head stays on the inside, forehead pressed to their hip
✓Lock your hands behind their thighs in a Gable grip and squeeze the knees together
✓Drive them straight back and slightly to one side to prevent them posting both hands
✓Land with your weight on top of them and immediately establish side control
✓Drill the blast double off a jab-cross setup at full speed
Common Mistakes
!Stopping your feet on contact — the blast double is named 'blast' because you drive through
!Shoulder contact too high (chest) or too low (knees) — aim for the midsection
!Reaching for the legs before driving the shoulder in — the shoulder initiates, hands follow
!Head hanging outside the hip, giving away an easy guillotine
!Not squeezing the knees together after the wrap, letting the opponent step one leg free
!Landing between their legs instead of to the side, ending up in closed guard
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
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
What head position should I use when driving through on a blast double?
According to Bradley Fiorito's analysis of Jordan Burroughs, instead of shoulder in the gut, place your forehead in the chest. This head position keeps your opponent upright and prevents them from sprawling effectively while you drive them over.
How do I set up the blast double when my opponent is trying to tie up?
Jordan Burroughs anticipates the incoming tie and uses counter arm snaps to post both arms above the opponent's elbows while loading your drive leg, then fires off the double. This timing of the setup is critical to catching them as they commit to the tie.
What's the proper level change technique for a blast double?
According to the RUDIS breakdown, you want to come in low so your head is at equivalent positioning or lower than your opponent's head—coming high exposes you. Maintaining a strong, balanced stance before you attack gives you both offensive and defensive capability.
How should I use my hands when initiating the blast double?
Bring only one hand up for a heavy post to knock your opponent off balance, while keeping one hand at home to protect and defend your legs. Use fakes, movement, and clubbing with your heavy hands to keep your opponent uncomfortable and out of position before committing to the shot.
How does the Standard Blast Double work?
The Standard Blast Double executes the fundamental explosive double leg where the attacker fires a deep penetration step, drives the shoulder into the opponent's midsection, wraps both arms around the thighs, and powers through the opponent using continuous leg drive. The key elements are explosive first-step speed, head placement on the inside (ear to the opponent's hip), and relentless forward pressure after contact.
Where does the Standard Blast Double come from?
The blast double has been the signature American wrestling attack for decades, refined through the intensive drilling culture of US collegiate and freestyle programmes. Olympic and World Championship medallists have historically relied on this technique as a primary scoring method.
Is the Standard Blast Double 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 Blast Double?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — double leg drives through opponent; moderate impact on landing
How do I set up the Standard Blast Double?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard Blast Double?
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 Blast Double?
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 Blast Double in competition?
The double leg (including blast variations) is the most frequently attempted takedown in NCAA Division I wrestling. In UFC competition, the double leg accounts for approximately 32% of all successful takedowns according to FightMetric data.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Blast Double?
Top errors to watch for: Stopping your feet on contact — the blast double is named 'blast' because you drive through / Shoulder contact too high (chest) or too low (knees) — aim for the midsection / Reaching for the legs before driving the shoulder in — the shoulder initiates, hands follow / Head hanging outside the hip, giving away an easy guillotine.
What are other names for the Standard Blast Double?
The Standard Blast Double is also known as Burasuto Daburu, Power Double TD, Blast-Through Double Leg, Morote Gari (Blast Variation).