Sweep Single Takedown - Cary Kolat Wrestling Moves
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Standard Low Single·Cary Kolat
Cary Kolat teaches his Sweep Single to High Leg Finish Takedown for Collegiate or Freestyle Wrestling. Kolat teaches bot…
Standard Low Single
Genusローシングル(Rō Shinguru)
TransliterationTranslation: standard low single
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The low single leg is a high-speed, low-risk takedown entry that targets the ankle or lower leg from extended range. [1] Its effectiveness depends almost entirely on the speed of the level change and the element of surprise, as the attacker must cover more distance than a standard-level shot. [1] In MMA, the low single is valued because the attacker's head stays far from the opponent's hips, reducing clinch and guillotine counter risk. [2]
Lineage
The low single leg gained worldwide prominence through the coaching of John Smith, who used it to win two Olympic gold medals (1988, 1992) and six World Championship titles. [1] Smith's low single became known as one of the most imitated techniques in wrestling history. [1] As head coach at Oklahoma State University (1991-present), Smith has continued to develop and teach the technique. [2]
Competition Record
Images
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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
John Smith teaches his legendary low single | 6x World & Olympic Champion
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Standard Low Single·FloWrestling
John Smith shows how to get technically sound at hitting the low single -the move he developed and perfected. Website: …
Brock Hardy Low Single Leg Attacks | Technique Tuesday
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Standard Low Single·FloWrestling
In this week’s Technique Tuesday, NCAA finalist Brock Hardy breaks down his signature low single leg attacks and how to …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The standard low single leg takedown is executed by penetrating below the opponent's knee while maintaining sound technical position. All three instructors emphasize that the shot originates from distance—approximately where the attacker can palm the opponent's head—which naturally limits setup variations and requires developed instinct for timing. FloWrestling's John Smith stresses splitting the opponent's body, keeping the attacking leg outside, and changing levels to shoot straight in rather than down. The critical hand position involves reaching for the far ankle rather than driving through the shin. Upon contact, the attacking wrestler plants a knee directly under the chest with the forehead making contact to the inside of the knee, maintaining a parallel forearm to the foot with elbows down. The trail leg then plants as the wrestler lifts using head pressure rather than hand manipulation to cave the opponent inward. Cary Kolat introduces the sweep single variant, emphasizing a heavy hit setup to create openings, hand placement on the mat (rather than locked hands) for mobility, and finishing with a punch motion to lift the knee while blocking foot stabilization. Brock Hardy's analysis highlights adaptive finishing: different techniques apply depending on whether the opponent is on their heel (picks work) or their toes (requiring pulls and alternative angles), with emphasis on immediate knee switches and proper neck-to-inside-knee positioning rather than head-first contact. All instructors agree on staying low during the finish and avoiding premature head elevation.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- FloWrestling — John Smith teaches his legendary low single | 6x World & Olympic Champion: Foundational technique framework: penetration below knee from distance, body splitting, level change, ankle reach mechanics, head-to-knee finish position, staying low throughout, and recognition of turns and pins emerging from opponent defensive reactions.
- Cary Kolat — Sweep Single Takedown - Cary Kolat Wrestling Moves: Setup variation using heavy crosshand hit to create openings, hand placement on mat for mobility rather than locking hands, punch motion with free arm to lift knee, use of toes/body weight for pressure, and transition possibilities into crotch lift and bow-and-arrow variations.
- FloWrestling — Brock Hardy Low Single Leg Attacks | Technique Tuesday: Adaptive finishing based on opponent's weight distribution (heel vs. toe positions), ankle pick vs. pull-and-circle techniques, emphasis on neck-to-inside-knee positioning over head-first contact, foot placement and squishing footwork, and immediate knee switching for efficiency.
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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 a longer distance, drop your lead knee to the mat and reach forward with both hands to capture the opponent's lead ankle
✓Your back hand touches the mat for balance during the initial drop
✓Cup the heel with your lead hand and immediately pull it toward your chest
✓Pop to your feet with the ankle secured and begin driving forward into the opponent's standing leg
✓The opponent will be hopping on one foot — keep driving until they fall
✓Use a snap-down or level-change fake to freeze the opponent before dropping
Common Mistakes
!Not reaching far enough during the drop — the ankle is at floor level, you need to get your hand there
!Staying on both knees after securing the ankle — you can't drive from your knees
!Holding the ankle at arm's length instead of pulling it tight to your chest
!Shooting from too close and crashing into the opponent's knees instead of reaching the ankle
!Not using the back hand for balance, falling forward during the drop
!Releasing the ankle when the opponent starts hopping instead of holding tight and driving
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 proper distance to shoot a low single leg from?
John Smith emphasizes shooting from a distance where you can palm your opponent's head—this is the comfortable position where you want to hit the low single leg from, as shooting from distance minimizes the number of setups you can use and relies more on instinct.
How should I penetrate when shooting a low single leg?
John Smith stresses that you should change levels and shoot straight in rather than shooting down at the shot, while reaching out to snatch the far ankle instead of shooting your entire body into it.
What's the key to finishing a low single leg takedown?
John Smith advises staying down on the leg with your knees pointing down, using your head to cave the opponent over the shot while keeping your head in until the finish is complete—avoid popping your head up too quickly, as this leaves you vulnerable to scrambles.
Should I lock my hands when attacking a low single leg?
Cary Kolat recommends not locking your hands on the single leg, as he found being mobile—especially in freestyle—to be more effective than the traditional shot-and-lock approach.
How does the Standard Low Single work?
The 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. 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.
Where does the Standard Low Single come from?
The low single was famously used by John Smith to win Olympic gold medals in 1988 and 1992, establishing it as one of wrestling's premier techniques. Smith's low single system became a model for generations of wrestlers who incorporated deep-level attacks into their arsenals.
Is the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Low Single?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Low Single in competition?
John Smith scored on the low single leg throughout his international career, winning Olympic gold in 1988 (Seoul) and 1992 (Barcelona) at 62 kg freestyle. The technique has since been adopted by numerous international freestyle wrestlers and MMA fighters.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Low Single?
Top errors to watch for: Not reaching far enough during the drop — the ankle is at floor level, you need to get your hand there / Staying on both knees after securing the ankle — you can't drive from your knees / Holding the ankle at arm's length instead of pulling it tight to your chest / Shooting from too close and crashing into the opponent's knees instead of reaching the ankle.
What are other names for the Standard Low Single?
The Standard Low Single is also known as Rō Shinguru, John Smith Low Single, Standard Low-Level Single, Deep Low Single TD.