ハイクロッチ(Hai Kurotchi)
TransliterationTranslation: standard high-crotch
The Standard High Crotch executes the fundamental high crotch single leg entry and finish where the attacker shoots a penetration step to the inside, drives the head to the inner thigh, and wraps the arm deep around the opponent's leg at the hip crease. [1] From this position, the attacker can finish by lifting, turning the corner, or transitioning to a double leg depending on the opponent's reaction. [1],[2] The standard high crotch emphasises head position (ear tight to the inner thigh), deep arm penetration, and maintaining a strong base during the finish. [2] This is considered one of the most complete takedown entries because of the many finishing options available. [2],[3]
The high crotch is considered one of the most versatile takedown entries in wrestling because it offers multiple finishing options — lift, turn the corner, or transition to a double leg — depending on the defender's reaction. [1] Its inside head position makes it lower risk for guillotine choke counters in MMA compared to standard single-leg entries. [2] The technique is effective at all levels of competition due to its adaptability. [1]
The high crotch has been a primary offensive technique in American freestyle and folkstyle wrestling programmes for generations. [1] Cael Sanderson, undefeated NCAA champion (159-0) and 2004 Olympic gold medallist, used the high crotch as one of his primary attacks. [2] The technique is equally emphasised in Russian and Iranian freestyle wrestling systems. [1]
The high crotch is among the top three most commonly scored takedowns in NCAA Division I wrestling alongside the single leg and double leg. [1] Cael Sanderson's undefeated 159-0 collegiate record (1999-2002) was built partly on his high-crotch attacks. [2] In freestyle wrestling, the high crotch remains a dominant technique at World and Olympic championships. [3]
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
The high crotch is one of the most effective single leg takedowns in wrestling and BJJ, but most people miss the details…
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Single leg is one of the safest takedowns; controlled descent (John Smith methodology)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
Standard katakana transliteration used in Japanese wrestling (レスリング)
explosive lower body power, level change speed, forward drive
stocky build with strong legs and low centre of gravity
quadriceps, glutes, hamstrings, core, shoulders
The third step is the most important—if you nail the first two steps but mess up the last one, the whole move falls apart. According to Systematic Wrestling, this final stage is what beats the opponent's last line of defense: the hips.
As you snap and pull the leg toward you, your opponent will naturally resist and their head will come up—when that happens, you flare your inside tie to maintain control and continue the technique.
The Standard High Crotch executes the fundamental high crotch single leg entry and finish where the attacker shoots a penetration step to the inside, drives the head to the inner thigh, and wraps the arm deep around the opponent's leg at the hip crease. From this position, the attacker can finish by lifting, turning the corner, or transitioning to a double leg depending on the opponent's reaction.
The standard high crotch has been a cornerstone of American freestyle and folkstyle wrestling for generations, taught as a primary offensive technique at all levels. Its versatility and effectiveness have made it equally important in MMA and submission grappling.
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)
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — single leg is one of the safest takedowns; controlled descent (John Smith methodology)
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
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.
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).
The high crotch is among the top three most commonly scored takedowns in NCAA Division I wrestling alongside the single leg and double leg. Cael Sanderson's undefeated 159-0 collegiate record (1999-2002) was built partly on his high-crotch attacks.
Top errors to watch for: Not penetrating deep enough — ending up with a thigh grip instead of a hip crease grip / Head to the outside, which is a different technique with guillotine risk / Kneeling on both knees after the entry, losing the ability to drive or lift / Arm too low on the leg (around the knee), which gives no lifting power.
The Standard High-Crotch is also known as Hai Kurotchi, Standard High C, High-Crotch Entry, Inside Single Leg.
