Double Leg Takedown
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High Double Leg·TakingItToTheMMAT
Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt and Collegiate Wrestler, Coach Chris Wells shares his understanding of the Ba…
High Double Leg
SubFamilyハイダブルレッグ
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The High Double Leg is a variation of the double leg takedown where the attacker secures the grip around the opponent's waist or above the hips rather than at the thighs — a blast-style takedown that drives through the opponent's centre of mass with maximum forward pressure. [1] The high double leg is often the result of a fast, explosive shot where the attacker comes up high on the grip rather than going deep to the thighs. [1],[2]
High Crotch DoubleStanding Double LegWrestlingBlast Double
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the parent martial arts tradition. [1]
Competition Record
Used in relevant competition formats. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Executing this specific technique through its characteristic mechanical pattern
Joints Involved — Technique-specific joints depending on whether this is an escape (hips for bridging/shrimping), sweep (hips and legs for leverage), submission (target joint plus controlling joints), throw (hips, legs, shoulders for projection), or position (control-specific body parts)
Force Vector — Directed along the technique's primary action line
Technique Mechanic — Each technique has a specific mechanical sequence that must be followed for effective execution
Position & Entry
From the parent position — Enter this technique from the primary position described in the parent family
From a transition — Access this technique during a positional transition or scramble
From defence — Enter this technique as a defensive response or counter
Videos
Beginner's Guide to the Double Leg
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High Double Leg·Wrestling University - Takedowns for Jiu Jitsu
🔥 Jiu Jitsu Practitioners, Ready to Finally Feel Confident on Your Feet? 🔥 FREE COURSE: The 2 takedowns you should fo…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Standard technique-level risk appropriate to the category
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
✓Drill the technique with progressive resistance
✓Understand the entry position before drilling the finish
✓Chain with related techniques for a complete system
✓Practice both sides where applicable
Common Mistakes
!Poor entry positioning
!Incomplete execution
!Not chaining with follow-up techniques
!Attempting without proper setup
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Entry Position
2Set Up the Technique
3Execute
4Follow Through
5Consolidate or Transition
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Martial arts curriculum [2] Competition analysis
2BookRelevant martial arts instructional resources
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Martial arts curriculum [2] Competition analysis
5CitationRelevant martial arts instructional resources
Community
Athletics
Requires
technique-specific physical attributes
Key muscles
technique-dependent
Sub-techniques
Notes
The high double leg lifts the opponent at the waist rather than attacking at the knees — it requires more strength but creates greater lifting power for slams and dumps. A staple of Greco-Roman wrestling adapted for MMA. (Coaching Wrestling Successfully, Gable; The Ultimate MMA Training Guide)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I hit my double leg in drilling but fail in live rolling?
According to Chris Wells at TakingItToTheMMAT, you should think of the double leg like a jab in boxing—it's a setup for other techniques, not always a guaranteed finish. When your opponent defends or beats you to it, you need to have follow-up options ready rather than expecting the takedown to work every time.
What's the correct way to level change and enter a double leg?
You want to change your levels before you enter, penetrate deep with your lead leg, and drive through with power, keeping your chest over your knee and staying low underneath your opponent's head and hands defense, as Wrestling University emphasizes.
Where should I grip when hitting a double leg to prevent sprawl?
Chris Wells recommends gripping below the opponent's hips rather than around the thighs, because gripping too high allows them to bend forward and spread their legs apart to sprawl. Grip placement matters as much as how you grip.
How do I handle it if my opponent sprawls when I shoot the double?
Wrestling University teaches the monkey paw grip to maintain arm length if your opponent starts to sprawl, and emphasizes circling your hips to the opposite side of your head while continuing to drive, rather than backing out and losing position.
How does the High Double Leg work?
The High Double Leg is a variation of the double leg takedown where the attacker secures the grip around the opponent's waist or above the hips rather than at the thighs — a blast-style takedown that drives through the opponent's centre of mass with maximum forward pressure. The high double leg is often the result of a fast, explosive shot where the attacker comes up high on the grip rather than going deep to the thighs.
Where does the High Double Leg come from?
This technique developed within its parent martial arts tradition and has been refined through competition.
Is the High Double Leg 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 High Double Leg?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — standard technique-level risk appropriate to the category
How do I set up the High Double Leg?
The standard setup chain: Establish Entry Position → Set Up the Technique → Execute → Follow Through → Consolidate or Transition.
How do I defend against the High Double Leg?
Standard counters include: Defensive techniques against this specific technique / Prevention of the entry position.
What are the variants of the High Double Leg?
Common variants: Standard execution (the fundamental version); Modified variation (adapted for specific scenarios).
How effective is the High Double Leg in competition?
Used in relevant competition formats.
What are common mistakes when doing the High Double Leg?
Top errors to watch for: Poor entry positioning / Incomplete execution / Not chaining with follow-up techniques / Attempting without proper setup.
What are other names for the High Double Leg?
The High Double Leg is also known as High Crotch Double, Standing Double Leg, Blast Double.