High CROTCH with a LIFT!
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Lift High-Crotch·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian·Added by Admin
This video I teach students a little about the high crotch takedown. Check out the details and you are sure to find som…
Lift High-Crotch
Genusリフトハイクロッチ(Rifuto Hai Kurotchi)
TransliterationTranslation: lift high-crotch (katakana)
Overview
The Lift High Crotch is a genus where the attacker, having secured the high crotch position with head on the inside and arm deep between the legs, finishes by explosively lifting the opponent off the mat. [1] The lift removes the opponent's base entirely, leaving them airborne and helpless against being deposited on the mat in any direction the attacker chooses. [1],[2] The lift requires significant explosive power through the legs and hips, combined with a deep enough inside position that the attacker's shoulder acts as a platform under the opponent's hip. [2] The lift high crotch is one of the most dominant takedown finishes when executed with proper positioning. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The lift high-crotch finish is one of the most decisive takedown completions because elevating the opponent off the mat removes their defensive base entirely. [1] The lift requires significant lower-body strength and proper hip positioning underneath the opponent's centre of mass. [1] When the opponent is airborne, the attacker controls the landing angle and typically scores maximum points in wrestling or achieves dominant position in MMA. [2]
Lineage
The lift high crotch is a power variation of the high-crotch entry, using an upward lift to elevate and control the opponent. [1]
Competition Record
The lift high crotch is used in heavyweight freestyle and Greco-Roman competition where lifting power is a decisive advantage. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Isolation of one leg — controlling a single support point destabilises the opponent's base
Joints Involved — Attacker's lead knee (penetration step), hips (level change and lifting), opponent's knee and hip (controlled)
Force Vector — Lateral and upward — lifting or sweeping the captured leg while driving the shoulder into the opponent's body
Finishing Mechanic — Varies by finish — run-the-pipe (forward drive), trip (inside/outside foot trip), or lift (elevation of captured leg)
Position & Entry
From collar tie or two-on-one — Level change and shoot to the inside, drive the head into the opponent's hip while securing the thigh above the knee
From underhook — Use the underhook to turn the opponent, step to the inside and elevate the leg to high-crotch position
Variants
Inside single — shooting to the inside of the lead leg, head inside position
Outside single — attacking from the outside of the lead leg
High crotch — securing the thigh above the knee with head in the hip
Low single — attacking the ankle from outside range without deep penetration
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Single leg is one of the safest takedowns; controlled descent (John Smith methodology)
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
✓From the high crotch position, drive your shoulder under their hip and straighten your legs to lift
✓Pop your hips into their thigh as you extend — the hip pop initiates the lift
✓Once they're airborne, rotate to dump them to the side away from the captured leg
✓Keep the arm deep around the inner thigh throughout the lift — don't let it slip to the knee
✓The lift works best when you get your hips below theirs — lower man wins
✓Control where they land by choosing your rotation direction before you lift
Common Mistakes
!Trying to lift with arm strength from a standing position — the legs must do the work
!Not getting your shoulder under their hip, so there's no shelf to lift from
!Lifting straight up without rotating — you need to dump them laterally
!Hips too far from the opponent, reducing your mechanical leverage for the lift
!Holding them elevated too long, burning energy — lift and immediately dump
!Not controlling the landing, letting them land in turtle or guard instead of flat on their back
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
penetration step speed, upper body endurance for finishing, balance
Favours
longer arms for reach, quick hips for level change
Key muscles
quadriceps, hip flexors, shoulders, grip/forearms
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I position my hand when setting up a high crotch lift?
Coach Brian emphasizes going deep on the inside grip, positioning your hand up high on the opponent's hip rather than down low on the legs, as this allows you to control the hip and makes it harder for them to defend.
How do I finish the high crotch lift if my opponent is much bigger or heavier?
Pop your hips to send your opponent out, then swing their legs to complete the lift. Coach Brian notes that hip drive is key to finishing even against larger opponents.
What should I do with my leg positioning when executing the lift?
Point your toes toward the side as you come up, bring your back leg in, and lean forward into the opponent to drive the lift and maintain control.
How does the Lift High-Crotch work?
The Lift High Crotch is a genus where the attacker, having secured the high crotch position with head on the inside and arm deep between the legs, finishes by explosively lifting the opponent off the mat. The lift removes the opponent's base entirely, leaving them airborne and helpless against being deposited on the mat in any direction the attacker chooses.
Where does the Lift High-Crotch come from?
The lift finish from high crotch has been a highlight technique in wrestling competition, with powerful wrestlers using it as a devastating scoring tool. The technique is particularly associated with American and Russian freestyle wrestling traditions.
Is the Lift High-Crotch 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 Lift High-Crotch?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — single leg is one of the safest takedowns; controlled descent (John Smith methodology)
How do I set up the Lift High-Crotch?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Lift High-Crotch?
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 Lift High-Crotch?
Common variants: Inside single (shooting to the inside of the lead leg, head inside position); Outside single (attacking from the outside of the lead leg); High crotch (securing the thigh above the knee with head in the hip); Low single (attacking the ankle from outside range without deep penet…).
How effective is the Lift High-Crotch in competition?
The lift high crotch is used in heavyweight freestyle and Greco-Roman competition where lifting power is a decisive advantage.
What are common mistakes when doing the Lift High-Crotch?
Top errors to watch for: Trying to lift with arm strength from a standing position — the legs must do the work / Not getting your shoulder under their hip, so there's no shelf to lift from / Lifting straight up without rotating — you need to dump them laterally / Hips too far from the opponent, reducing your mechanical leverage for the lift.
What are other names for the Lift High-Crotch?
The Lift High-Crotch is also known as Rifuto Hai Kurotchi, High-Crotch Lift, Elevator High Crotch, Lift-And-Dump High C.