John Smith teaches his legendary low single | 6x World & Olympic Champion
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Ankle Pick Low Single·FloWrestling·Added by Admin
John Smith shows how to get technically sound at hitting the low single -the move he developed and perfected. Website: …
Ankle Pick Low Single
Genusアンクルピック・ローシングル(Ankuru Pikku Rō Shinguru)
TransliterationTranslation: ankle pick low single
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
This hybrid technique combines elements of the ankle pick and low single leg, developed in American freestyle wrestling. [1]
Competition Record
The ankle pick low single is used in freestyle and folkstyle competition. [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
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
✓This hybrid combines the low single drop with an ankle-pick pulling motion
✓Drop to the lead knee, cup the opponent's heel with your hand, and pull it forward and upward
✓Use your opposite hand on their collar tie or shoulder to push them backward as you pull the heel
✓The push-pull action creates opposing forces — their upper body goes back, their ankle goes forward
✓Time it when the opponent shifts weight onto the targeted foot
✓Stay low through the finish; popping up too early lets them recover the foot
Common Mistakes
!Grabbing the ankle from the top instead of cupping under the heel — less control and easier to shake off
!Not pushing the upper body back while pulling the ankle, so there's only one force acting
!Rising up before the opponent is off-balance, letting them simply step back
!Targeting the rear foot when the opponent's weight is on the front foot
!Reaching for the ankle before dropping your level, alerting the opponent
!Not following through to a dominant position after the takedown
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
What's the correct distance to shoot a low single leg takedown?
According to John Smith, you should hit a low single from a distance where you can comfortably palm your opponent's head—this minimizes the number of setups needed and relies more on reading your opponent's movement and instinct.
Should I shoot down or straight in when penetrating on a low single?
John Smith emphasizes that you should shoot straight in rather than down, and focus on reaching out to snatch the far ankle with your hand rather than shooting your entire body into the leg.
How do I finish a low single leg once I've penetrated?
Once you've penetrated, plant your trail leg with your knee down (not pointing up), keep your head down on the leg throughout the finish, and use your head to cave your opponent in over the shot rather than trying to sweep the ankle with your hand.
Why is positioning so important when shooting a low single?
John Smith explains that when you penetrate below the knee, it's easy for your opponent to go around you or score defensively, so you need to be technically sound and position yourself by splitting your opponent's body with half your body to the outside.
How does the Ankle Pick Low Single work?
The 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. 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.
Where does the Ankle Pick Low Single come from?
The ankle pick low single represents the fusion of two distinct wrestling techniques, developed by practitioners who chained them together for a more complete attack. The combination has been widely adopted in freestyle wrestling and MMA.
Is the Ankle Pick Low Single 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 Ankle Pick Low Single?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — single leg is one of the safest takedowns; controlled descent (John Smith methodology)
How do I set up the Ankle Pick Low Single?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Ankle Pick Low Single?
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 Ankle Pick Low Single?
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 Ankle Pick Low Single in competition?
The ankle pick low single is used in freestyle and folkstyle competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ankle Pick Low Single?
Top errors to watch for: Grabbing the ankle from the top instead of cupping under the heel — less control and easier to shake off / Not pushing the upper body back while pulling the ankle, so there's only one force acting / Rising up before the opponent is off-balance, letting them simply step back / Targeting the rear foot when the opponent's weight is on the front foot.
What are other names for the Ankle Pick Low Single?
The Ankle Pick Low Single is also known as Ankuru Pikku Rō Shinguru, Ankle Pick Single, Low Single Ankle Grab, Hybrid Low Single.