How to Finish a Single Leg Takedown | The School of Wrestling Technique
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TKD Single Leg from Clinch·The School of Wrestling
Here are a variety of finishing options for the single leg position.
TKD Single Leg from Clinch
SubFamilyテコンドー片足タックル(Tekondō Kataashi Takkuru)
Translation: Taekwondo single leg from clinch
Overview
History & Origin
Cross-style technique adapted for modern combat sports. [1]
Effectiveness
Effective in modern MMA and cross-style competition. [1]
Lineage
Cross-style martial arts. [1]
Competition Record
Used in modern MMA and combat sports
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — TKD Single Leg from Clinch-specific mechanics
Position & Entry
From appropriate range — Execute tkd single leg from clinch
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
Drake Ayala Single Leg Takedown | Technique Tuesday
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TKD Single Leg from Clinch·FloWrestling
In this Technique Tuesday breakdown, Iowa Hawkeye Drake Ayala shows how to create clean scoring opportunities using his …
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The TKD single leg from clinch is executed by first establishing control from an over-collar tie or clinch position, then shooting the leg with precise hand and body placement. Both The School of Wrestling and FloWrestling emphasize that the shooting hand must be positioned above the knee—a critical detail both instructors stress heavily, as placement below the knee invites sprawl counters like the wizard. Once on the leg, the shooter's shoulder placement differs slightly between instructors: The School of Wrestling drives the shoulder into the thigh with head up in the gut, while FloWrestling positions the shoulder nearly on top of the hip/thigh area with deliberate downward pressure to control the opponent's body weight. Both agree on elevating the leg by lifting the thigh and driving through the feet. Finishing sequences vary: The School of Wrestling describes multiple finishes including the trip finish (elevating the knee and ankle), the rotation finish (rotating the knee to ground and climbing the leg), and adjustments when the opponent sprawls, such as pulling the back hand through to the ankle. FloWrestling focuses on the balance-control finish, where the shooter maintains heavy shoulder pressure while hopping and circling to trip the standing leg. Both instructors emphasize that controlling the opponent's balance through footwork and continuous pressure is essential to avoid stalling mid-technique.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- The School of Wrestling — How to Finish a Single Leg Takedown | The School of Wrestling Technique: Detailed multiple finishing options including knee elevation with trip, rotation to ground with climbing finish, and adjustments for sprawl situations; emphasized the importance of hand position above the knee and circling footwork when opponent resists.
- FloWrestling — Drake Ayala Single Leg Takedown | Technique Tuesday: Focused on entry via elbow-pull single from over-collar tie and emphasized precise hand placement above the knee, heavy shoulder pressure on the hip/thigh area, and balance-control finishing through foot pressure and circling; stressed that body weight transfer and balance disruption are key to finishing reliably.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Technique varies by application
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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
✓Drill with progressive resistance
Common Mistakes
!Poor timing
!Over-committing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Engagement → TKD Single Leg from Clinch → Follow-up
Sources & References
Primary Source
Lukasz, T. Taekwondo Grappling Techniques: Hone Your Competitive Edge for Mixed Martial Arts.
1Book[1] Lukasz, T. Taekwondo Grappling Techniques: Hone Your Competitive Edge for Mixed Martial Arts.
2Citation[1] Lukasz, T. Taekwondo Grappling Techniques: Hone Your Competitive Edge for Mixed Martial Arts.
[1] Lukasz, Taekwondo Grappling Techniques — technique description and application
Community
Athletics
Good timing
Explosive movement
Notes
The TKD single leg from clinch is documented in Lukasz's Taekwondo Grappling Techniques — adapting the single leg takedown for TKD practitioners in MMA contexts. (Lukasz, Taekwondo Grappling Techniques)
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should my hand be positioned when finishing a single leg from clinch?
Your shooting hand must be above the knee. Drake Ayala emphasizes this is critical—if your hand is below the knee, you risk getting wizarded, sprawled on, or stepped over. Moving your hand up just 4-6 inches eliminates these defensive options.
How should I use my shoulder when finishing the single leg?
Place your shoulder into the opponent's thigh-hip area, pressing into them rather than staying to the side. Drake Ayala notes that this shoulder pressure, combined with head pressure, directs the opponent's body weight in the direction you want them to go, which is essential for finishing.
What are the main finishing options once I get underneath on a single leg?
The School of Wrestling demonstrates several finishes: you can pop your knee over the opponent's leg, control their ankle and pull them into position, or drop to their butt, hook the leg, and drive your head into their hip to finish on top.
Should I push or pull the opponent's elbow when finishing?
Drake Ayala prefers grabbing and pulling the elbow to bring himself over top of the opponent, rather than pushing it, while maintaining head position by pulling their ear toward him.
How does the TKD Single Leg from Clinch work?
The TKD Single Leg from Clinch transitions from a taekwondo-style clinch directly into a single-leg takedown.
Where does the TKD Single Leg from Clinch come from?
Cross-style technique adapted for modern combat sports.
Is the TKD Single Leg from Clinch 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 TKD Single Leg from Clinch?
Danger rating 4/10. Technique varies by application
How do I set up the TKD Single Leg from Clinch?
The standard setup chain: Engagement → TKD Single Leg from Clinch → Follow-up.
How do I defend against the TKD Single Leg from Clinch?
Standard counters include: Sprawl / Block / Counter-attack.
How effective is the TKD Single Leg from Clinch in competition?
Used in modern MMA and combat sports
What are common mistakes when doing the TKD Single Leg from Clinch?
Top errors to watch for: Poor timing / Over-committing.
What are other names for the TKD Single Leg from Clinch?
The TKD Single Leg from Clinch is also known as Tekondō Kataashi Takkuru, TKD Clinch Single, Taekwondo Single Leg.