Inside Trip for BEGINNERS!
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Inside Trip Finish·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian·Added by Admin
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Inside Trip Finish
Genus内掛けフィニッシュ(Uchigake Finisshu)
HybridTranslation: inside trip finish
Overview
The Inside Trip Finish completes the single leg by using the attacker's inside leg to trip or hook the opponent's standing (free) leg while maintaining control of the captured leg. [1] With one leg secured and the opponent hopping on the remaining foot, the attacker threads their inside leg behind the opponent's standing ankle and reaps or blocks it, eliminating the last point of balance. [1],[2] The inside trip finish is particularly effective against opponents who defend the single leg by hopping and maintaining balance on one foot. [2] The simultaneous control of one leg and trip of the other creates an irrecoverable base collapse. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The inside trip finish from a single leg is highly effective because it attacks the opponent's remaining support leg while the other leg is already controlled. [1] By hooking the supporting leg from the inside while driving the body laterally, the attacker eliminates both of the opponent's balance points simultaneously. [1]
Lineage
The inside trip finish uses the attacker's leg to hook the opponent's standing leg while maintaining single leg control, combining a trip with the single leg hold. [1]
Competition Record
The inside trip single leg finish is used in both wrestling and MMA 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 wrestling stance — Level change with a penetration step, drive head into opponent's hip, secure one leg and lift or drive to finish
From collar tie — Use head control to set up the shot, change levels and shoot to the lead leg
From reaction to opponent's attack — When opponent overcommits, catch the exposed leg and counter into the single-leg
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
✓While holding the captured leg, use your inside leg to hook or trip the opponent's standing leg
✓Thread your tripping foot behind their standing ankle and pull forward while driving your body into them
✓The opponent can't balance on zero legs — one is captured, one is being tripped
✓Keep the captured leg elevated as you trip; don't lower it to reach for the standing leg
✓Drive your head and chest into their shoulder on the standing-leg side for maximum off-balance
✓Timing: trip when the opponent plants their standing foot, not when they're hopping
Common Mistakes
!Releasing the captured leg to reach for the trip — you need both the leg hold and the trip simultaneously
!Tripping too high on the calf instead of at the ankle where leverage is greatest
!Not driving upper body pressure while tripping — the trip alone is often not enough
!Tripping the standing leg in the wrong direction (away from you instead of toward you)
!Losing balance because you're standing on one foot with no base — keep a wide stance
!Setting the trip when the opponent is mid-hop instead of when their foot is planted
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptLift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked to avoid the reap or sweepStep Over — lift the targeted leg over the sweeping limb to evadeCounter-Throw — use opponent's committed weight shift to execute a counter technique
Setup Chain
1Establish Grip — secure collar tie, underhook, or body lock for control
2Off-Balance (Kuzushi) — push or pull to shift opponent's weight onto the target leg
3Execute the Reap/Sweep — attack the loaded leg with the sweeping or tripping action
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology; Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
2OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
3CitationJapanese amateur wrestling terminology; Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
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
How do I prevent my opponent from stepping out when I attempt an inside trip?
According to Coach Brian at TeachMeGrappling, you must put weight on your opponent's leg by pulling their arm down into the floor to make them step, which prevents them from easily stepping out of the technique.
What should my feet and legs be doing as I enter the inside trip?
Coach Brian explains that your left foot should never touch the mat—only your knee makes contact—while you shuffle your feet and stay low. Your right leg steps in close without pushing, and your left knee hits the mat before you drive through to finish.
Should I push my opponent as I go in, or stay light?
Coach Brian emphasizes being really light and not pushing as you move your right leg closer and insert your knee; the push comes after you're already down and in position, not during entry.
Can I use my left hand on the leg instead of pulling the arm the whole time?
Coach Brian notes this is optional—you can slide your left hand down to hook the leg or simply pull on the arm throughout, and both approaches can be effective.
How does the Inside Trip Finish work?
The Inside Trip Finish completes the single leg by using the attacker's inside leg to trip or hook the opponent's standing (free) leg while maintaining control of the captured leg. With one leg secured and the opponent hopping on the remaining foot, the attacker threads their inside leg behind the opponent's standing ankle and reaps or blocks it, eliminating the last point of balance.
Where does the Inside Trip Finish come from?
Inside trip finishes from the single leg originated in wrestling and were systematised as part of chain-wrestling curricula in American folkstyle programmes. The technique was adopted into judo and MMA as a reliable single-leg completion method.
Is the Inside Trip Finish 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 Inside Trip Finish?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — single leg is one of the safest takedowns; controlled descent (John Smith methodology)
How do I set up the Inside Trip Finish?
The standard setup chain: Establish Grip → Off-Balance (Kuzushi) → Execute the Reap/Sweep.
How do I defend against the Inside Trip Finish?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Lift the Targeted Leg — raise the foot being attacked to avoid the reap or sweep / Step Over — lift the targeted leg over the sweeping limb to evade / Counter-Throw — use opponent's committed weight shift to execute a counter technique.
What are the variants of the Inside Trip Finish?
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 Inside Trip Finish in competition?
The inside trip single leg finish is used in both wrestling and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Inside Trip Finish?
Top errors to watch for: Releasing the captured leg to reach for the trip — you need both the leg hold and the trip simultaneously / Tripping too high on the calf instead of at the ankle where leverage is greatest / Not driving upper body pressure while tripping — the trip alone is often not enough / Tripping the standing leg in the wrong direction (away from you instead of toward you).
What are other names for the Inside Trip Finish?
The Inside Trip Finish is also known as Uchigake Finisshu, Single-Leg Inside Trip, Ko Uchi Gari Finish, Trip-Out Finish.