The Perfect Double Leg
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Low Double Leg·wrestlejitsu
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Low Double Leg
SubFamilyローダブルレッグ(Rō Daburu Reggu)
TransliterationTranslation: low double leg (katakana)
Overview
The Low Double Leg subfamily attacks both legs below the knee, targeting the shins or ankles rather than the thighs. [1] The low double requires an extremely deep level change, often dropping to both knees during the penetration step, to reach the low target. [1],[2] The advantage of the low attack is that it is difficult to sprawl against — the opponent's legs are attacked below the fulcrum point, so sprawling actually helps the attacker by loading the opponent's weight onto the already-captured legs. [2] The trade-off is the deep level change required, which can leave the attacker vulnerable if the shot is poorly timed. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Low double leg attacks developed as a counter to improved sprawl defence in competition wrestling, with wrestlers seeking entries that bypassed the hip-level sprawl. [1] Japanese shoot-wrestling and catch wrestling traditions also emphasised low-level leg attacks that influenced modern technique. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
The low double leg is a standard variation in freestyle and folkstyle wrestling, adapted into MMA and BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
The low double leg is used in both wrestling and MMA competition. [1]
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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
Videos
Double Leg Takedown Tutorial
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Low Double Leg·Alex Nicholes
www.cumulussport.com Step by step instructions on how to execute a wrestling double leg takedown.
2 videos
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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
✓Drop deep — your lead knee may touch the mat as you reach for both ankles or shins
✓Attack from further out than a standard double; the low level change makes up for the distance
✓Wrap both arms around the lower legs and pull them toward you while driving your shoulder forward
✓The opponent's legs should come together as you pull — once both feet are close, they can't balance
✓Use the low double when the opponent has a wide stance — the wider the feet, the more effective
✓Set it up with a fake high shot to get them to raise their hands, then go low
Common Mistakes
!Not dropping low enough — if you're grabbing at knee height, you're doing a regular double, not a low double
!Both knees on the mat simultaneously, eliminating your forward drive
!Pulling the legs without driving forward — you need both actions together
!Head down looking at the mat, unable to react to sprawl or guillotine attempts
!Only grabbing one leg at the low level — this should capture both
!Shooting the low double from close range when it's designed for longer distance entries
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptSprawl and Cross-Face — combine hip drop with head push to flatten the attackerGuillotine Choke — wrap the head during the shot attempt and apply front headlock pressureKnee Strike — time a rising knee to meet the incoming level change
Setup Chain
1Setup with Strikes or Feint — use a jab or level-change feint to hide the shot
2Level Change — drop hips below the opponent's hands
3Penetration Step — explosive forward step between the opponent's legs
4Head in Chest — drive forehead into the sternum while wrapping both legs
5Lift and Drive — elevate the hips and drive through to complete the takedown
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
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How close do I need to be to my opponent before shooting a low double leg?
You need to be within touching distance of your opponent. If you're too far away, your opponent will see the shot coming and can defend with a sprawl before you even make contact.
What footwork should I use once I've penetrated into the double leg?
Once you get in close, take a lot of little quick steps to drive through your opponent—what some coaches call 'twinkle toes.' This keeps you moving forward aggressively to complete the takedown.
What's the proper entry technique for a low double leg?
Focus on good penetration with your step while tracking the opponent's knee and turning your hips. Make sure you have solid collar control and maintain that close touching distance before driving forward.
How does the Low Double Leg work?
The Low Double Leg subfamily attacks both legs below the knee, targeting the shins or ankles rather than the thighs. The low double requires an extremely deep level change, often dropping to both knees during the penetration step, to reach the low target.
Where does the Low Double Leg come from?
Low double leg attacks developed as a counter to improved sprawl defence in competition wrestling, with wrestlers seeking entries that bypassed the hip-level sprawl. Japanese shoot-wrestling and catch wrestling traditions also emphasised low-level leg attacks that influenced modern technique.
Is the Low 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 Low Double Leg?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — double leg drives through opponent; moderate impact on landing
How do I set up the Low Double Leg?
The standard setup chain: Setup with Strikes or Feint → Level Change → Penetration Step → Head in Chest → Lift and Drive.
How do I defend against the Low Double Leg?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Sprawl and Cross-Face — combine hip drop with head push to flatten the attacker / Guillotine Choke — wrap the head during the shot attempt and apply front headlock pressure / Knee Strike — time a rising knee to meet the incoming level change.
What are the variants of the Low Double Leg?
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 Low Double Leg in competition?
The low double leg is used in both wrestling and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Low Double Leg?
Top errors to watch for: Not dropping low enough — if you're grabbing at knee height, you're doing a regular double, not a low double / Both knees on the mat simultaneously, eliminating your forward drive / Pulling the legs without driving forward — you need both actions together / Head down looking at the mat, unable to react to sprawl or guillotine attempts.
What are other names for the Low Double Leg?
The Low Double Leg is also known as Rō Daburu Reggu, Low Double, Knee-Level Double Leg, Deep Double.