Basic Double Leg Takedown
0
Standard Run-The-Pipe Double·Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne
Full Course Playlist → https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDrQXekZsfYZfV1QZ4T5UkxLwFwQ12EbP Find the Introduction course…
Standard Run-The-Pipe Double
Genusランザパイプダブル(Ran Za Paipu Daburu)
TransliterationTranslation: standard run-the-pipe double
Overview
The Standard Run-The-Pipe Double executes the fundamental lateral-finish double leg where the attacker secures both legs after a penetration step, lifts them to one side, and then runs in a circular arc while keeping the legs elevated. [1] The running motion generates centrifugal force that makes it impossible for the opponent to maintain balance on one or no legs. [1],[2] The attacker maintains head position on the inside hip, chest pressure against the opponent's thighs, and continuous circular movement until the opponent topples. [2] This finish is the standard secondary option when a blast-through fails. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Running the pipe is one of the most reliable double-leg finishes because the continuous forward drive prevents the opponent from establishing a defensive base. [1] The technique converts horizontal momentum into a takedown by keeping the head tight and the feet driving in short, choppy steps through the opponent. [1] It is particularly effective against opponents who square their hips after initial contact rather than sprawling immediately. [2]
Lineage
Competition Record
The run-the-pipe double is a standard finish seen in NCAA and freestyle competition. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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
This is HOW you enter the FLO state
0
Standard Run-The-Pipe Double·Legion AJJ
No surprise here. It's nothing but high level takedowns as athletes gather at Legion to learn the world's greatest taked…
#10 An effective but incredibly painful single leg takedown for wrestlers and Jiu Jitsu players
0
Standard Run-The-Pipe Double·Breza-Grappling
All of us will get into a position called the “mid level” where we get the single leg off the floor, and our hands are l…
1 / 2
3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard run-the-pipe double is a mid-level single-leg finishing technique used when the attacker cannot achieve the outside corner position during a double-leg takedown entry. Breza-Grappling explains that run-the-pipe involves circling toward the opponent's heel to eliminate their balance, then pulling the leg straight down in a piping motion—named after the mechanics of moving pipe through a trench. The technique can be combined with a humeral bone (arm bone) to femur pressure application: the attacker locks their upper arm against the opponent's thigh and squats, creating intense pressure that encourages the opponent to drop. Breza-Grappling emphasizes maintaining head position in the ribs, keeping the back straight, and moving quickly to prevent the opponent from establishing base. The instructor notes this finish is particularly effective when athletic opponents defend the standard run-the-pipe pull by bouncing on their toes, as the pressure variation forces capitulation. Absolute MMA St Kilda's foundational double-leg coverage establishes the entry mechanics—dropping level, stepping with the lead leg, placing the lead knee down, and driving through with the back leg—principles that underpin successful mid-level transitions. Legion AJJ's training emphasis on stance work, balance disruption, and footwork supports the positional requirements for effective run-the-pipe execution.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Absolute MMA St Kilda - Melbourne — Basic Double Leg Takedown: Foundational double-leg entry mechanics: range checking, level drop, lead-leg step, lead-knee placement, back-leg drive, and posture maintenance—establishing entry prerequisites for mid-level finishes
- Legion AJJ — This is HOW you enter the FLO state: Stance, balance disruption, and footwork drills emphasizing head-up positioning and weight distribution awareness relevant to transitional takedown mechanics
- Breza-Grappling — #10 An effective but incredibly painful single leg takedown for wrestlers and Jiu Jitsu players: Detailed run-the-pipe mechanics from mid-level position: heel-directed circling, leg pulling motion, humeral bone to femur pressure application, squat execution, and integration with alternative finishing sequences
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
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
✓Secure both legs after the initial penetration, pinch them tight to your chest with a Gable grip behind the thighs
✓Turn your head and shoulder into the opponent's near hip and begin running in a tight semicircle
✓Take rapid, short steps — 5-8 quick steps to complete the arc
✓The opponent's legs are trapped so they can only hop on one foot — keep circling until they topple
✓As they fall, follow them down and transition to side control on the far side
✓Drill the footwork pattern independently — practice running the semicircle arc at speed
Common Mistakes
!Slow, heavy steps that give the opponent time to post a hand and brace
!Running the arc too wide — stay tight to the opponent's body
!Not pinching the legs together, letting one slip free during the run
!Head position away from the opponent instead of driving into their hip
!Stopping after 2-3 steps because the opponent hasn't fallen yet — commit to the full arc
!Letting the opponent grab your head or neck during the run instead of keeping it tight to their hip
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
How do I know the right distance to approach for a double leg takedown?
According to Absolute MMA St Kilda, you should position yourself just outside of striking/reaching range. Use the arm-length test: extend your arm straight—if you can't reach your opponent, they can't reach you. You want to be close enough to avoid covering too much ground, but far enough that they can't block your legs or strike you.
Which leg should I step with when shooting a double leg, and why?
Lead with your lead leg (front leg) rather than your trail leg, as Absolute MMA St Kilda explains. Your lead leg is already forward and will cover ground faster, making the entry quicker and more effective.
Why is stepping deep with my lead leg important for the double leg?
Stepping deep ensures proper posture and drive. Absolute MMA St Kilda notes that a deep step allows you to keep your upper body tall and generates better drive to complete the takedown, whereas shallow steps result in poor posture and reduced effectiveness against sprawls.
What common mistake do beginners make with their knee placement during a double leg?
Absolute MMA St Kilda points out that beginners often drop their back knee to the ground instead of their front knee, which eliminates your driving power and makes the takedown less effective and more dangerous.
How does the Standard Run-The-Pipe Double work?
The Standard Run-The-Pipe Double executes the fundamental lateral-finish double leg where the attacker secures both legs after a penetration step, lifts them to one side, and then runs in a circular arc while keeping the legs elevated. The running motion generates centrifugal force that makes it impossible for the opponent to maintain balance on one or no legs.
Where does the Standard Run-The-Pipe Double come from?
Run-the-pipe finishing was systematised in American folkstyle wrestling as coaches identified the lateral finish as a reliable backup to forward-drive doubles. The technique is now taught as part of the standard double-leg finishing curriculum worldwide.
Is the Standard Run-The-Pipe 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 Run-The-Pipe Double?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — double leg drives through opponent; moderate impact on landing
How do I set up the Standard Run-The-Pipe Double?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard Run-The-Pipe 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 Run-The-Pipe 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 Run-The-Pipe Double in competition?
The run-the-pipe double is a standard finish seen in NCAA and freestyle competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Run-The-Pipe Double?
Top errors to watch for: Slow, heavy steps that give the opponent time to post a hand and brace / Running the arc too wide — stay tight to the opponent's body / Not pinching the legs together, letting one slip free during the run / Head position away from the opponent instead of driving into their hip.
What are other names for the Standard Run-The-Pipe Double?
The Standard Run-The-Pipe Double is also known as Ran Za Paipu Daburu, Lateral Finish Double TD, Running Double Leg, Circle-Out Double.