Finish Low On Your Single Leg by Austin DeSanto
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Low Single Leg·FANATIC WRESTLING
Finish Low On Your Single Leg by Austin DeSanto https://fanaticwrestling.com/ Austin DeSanto shows how to finish low wh…
Low Single Leg
SubFamilyローシングルレッグ(Rō Shinguru Reggu)
TransliterationTranslation: low single leg (katakana)
Overview
The Low Single Leg subfamily attacks the opponent's leg at the lowest point — the ankle or lower shin — requiring a deep level change where the attacker often drops to one or both knees. [1] The low single is initiated from a greater distance than other single-leg entries because the attacker needs to reach all the way to the ankle. [1],[2] The primary advantage is that the low target is extremely difficult to defend with a standard sprawl, and the opponent often doesn't recognise the attack until the ankle is already captured. [2] Low singles are commonly used as surprise attacks, change-of-pace techniques, and entries from unconventional angles. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Low single-leg attacks were pioneered in modern form by Japanese shoot-wrestlers and American folkstyle wrestlers who sought entries below the opponent's defensive radar. [1] The technique gained fame through its use by wrestlers like John Smith, who won two Olympic gold medals with a devastating low single-leg system. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
John Smith won two Olympic gold medals (1988, 1992) and four World Championship titles primarily using the low single leg. [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 outside range — Drop to a deep level change, reach for the far ankle without a full penetration step, lift and run the opponent off-balance
From hand fighting — Clear the opponent's hands, reach down to grab the ankle while staying outside their reach
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
✓Drop deeply — the lead knee often touches the mat as you reach for the ankle or lower shin
✓Attack from longer range than a standard single; the extreme level change is your penetration
✓Grab the heel or ankle and pull it toward you while driving your shoulder into their knee
✓The low single works best when the opponent is heavy on their front foot — snap them forward first
✓Your back hand stays on the mat for balance during the deep drop
✓Immediately pop up to your feet after securing the ankle to begin the finish
Common Mistakes
!Not dropping low enough — grabbing the shin from a half-squat is not a low single
!Both hands leaving the ground simultaneously, losing your balance
!Pulling the ankle without driving forward — the opponent hops away easily
!Staying on the mat after grabbing the ankle instead of immediately rising to finish
!Shooting the low single against a retreating opponent — it needs a planted front foot
!Telegraphing the drop by looking at the foot before shooting
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptWhizzer (Overhook) — overhook the attacking arm and drive hip pressure to kill the angleCross-Face — push the attacker's head across their body to break their grip and alignmentLimp Leg — pull the attacked leg free by going limp and circling away
Setup Chain
1Level Change — lower your stance to penetrate below the opponent's arms
2Penetration Step — drive the lead knee between the opponent's feet
3Head Position — place head on the inside of the opponent's hip for control
4Grip the Leg — clasp hands behind the thigh or knee for a secure hold
5Drive and Finish — drive forward or angle off 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
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
Sub-techniques
Ankle Pick Low Single
GenusThe Ankle Pick Low Single is a hybrid genus combining low single-leg mechanics with ankle pick finishing, where the attacker drops low to capture the opponent's ankle and pulls it forward while driving the head and shoulder into the opponent's leg to collapse their base. [1] The attack starts with a deep level change targeting the ankle, then transitions into an ankle pick motion — scooping the foot off the mat while the upper body drives forward. [1,2] This combination is effective because it uses both pulling (ankle pick) and driving (low single) forces simultaneously. [2] The technique is particularly useful against opponents in a staggered stance where one ankle is exposed. [2,3]
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Outside Low Single
GenusThe Outside Low Single attacks the opponent's far leg from an outside angle, reaching across the body to capture the far ankle from the outside. [1] This genus requires the attacker to create an angle — either through lateral movement or a set-up feint — before dropping level and reaching to the outside of the far foot. [1,2] The outside angle makes the attack difficult to anticipate because it comes from the opponent's peripheral vision. [2] The finish involves pulling the ankle laterally while driving into the opponent's body to collapse them sideways. [2,3]
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Standard Low Single
GenusThe Standard Low Single executes the fundamental low-level single leg where the attacker drops deeply — often to both knees — and reaches forward to capture the opponent's lead ankle or lower shin. [1] The attacker uses a quick level change and long reach to grab the ankle, then drives forward into the opponent while pulling the captured foot off the mat. [1,2] The finish typically involves running the opponent's foot forward while their upper body falls backward, or transitioning to a traditional single-leg finish once the opponent is off-balance. [2] The standard low single is the archetype of deep-level-change attacks. [2,3]
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Notes
The low single leg appears in 15 passages in Wrestling for Fighting (Randy Couture) — dedicated sections cover the entry, the wrist control setup, and finishing sequences. The attack targets the opponent's ankle from maximum distance — the safest takedown entry because the attacker stays far from counter-strikes. (Couture, Wrestling for Fighting)
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do with my neck position when finishing a low single leg?
Make sure your neck is twisted out when finishing the low single leg, according to Austin DeSanto's instruction on proper finishing mechanics.
How does the Low Single Leg work?
The Low Single Leg subfamily attacks the opponent's leg at the lowest point — the ankle or lower shin — requiring a deep level change where the attacker often drops to one or both knees. The low single is initiated from a greater distance than other single-leg entries because the attacker needs to reach all the way to the ankle.
Where does the Low Single Leg come from?
Low single-leg attacks were pioneered in modern form by Japanese shoot-wrestlers and American folkstyle wrestlers who sought entries below the opponent's defensive radar. The technique gained fame through its use by wrestlers like John Smith, who won two Olympic gold medals with a devastating low single-leg system.
Is the Low Single 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 Single Leg?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — single leg is one of the safest takedowns; controlled descent (John Smith methodology)
How do I set up the Low Single Leg?
The standard setup chain: Level Change → Penetration Step → Head Position → Grip the Leg → Drive and Finish.
How do I defend against the Low Single Leg?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Whizzer (Overhook) — overhook the attacking arm and drive hip pressure to kill the angle / Cross-Face — push the attacker's head across their body to break their grip and alignment / Limp Leg — pull the attacked leg free by going limp and circling away.
What are the variants of the Low Single Leg?
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 Low Single Leg in competition?
John Smith won two Olympic gold medals (1988, 1992) and four World Championship titles primarily using the low single leg.
What are common mistakes when doing the Low Single Leg?
Top errors to watch for: Not dropping low enough — grabbing the shin from a half-squat is not a low single / Both hands leaving the ground simultaneously, losing your balance / Pulling the ankle without driving forward — the opponent hops away easily / Staying on the mat after grabbing the ankle instead of immediately rising to finish.
What are other names for the Low Single Leg?
The Low Single Leg is also known as Rō Shinguru Reggu, Low Single, Ankle-Level Single, Deep Single Leg.