The Scissor Sweep Takedown MMA Surge, Episode 20
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Scissor Takedown·mahalodotcom
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Scissor Takedown
Family蟹挟(Kani-basami)
TraditionalTranslation: scissor takedown
Overview
The Scissor Takedown family covers techniques where the attacker uses a scissors-like leg action — one leg attacking high and the other attacking low simultaneously — to take the opponent to the ground. [1] The scissoring motion creates opposing forces on the opponent's body: one leg sweeps or blocks above the knee while the other sweeps or blocks below, creating an irresistible rotational force. [1],[2] The most notable technique in this family is kani basami (scissors sweep/crab scissors), which is one of the most controversial throws in judo due to its effectiveness but significant injury risk. [2] Scissor takedowns have been banned or restricted in several competition rulesets due to the knee injury potential of the scissoring action on the opponent's legs. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Scissor takedowns have been part of judo and various wrestling traditions, with kani basami being classified as a judo technique in the Kodokan system. [1] The IJF banned kani basami from judo competition in 1980 after multiple knee injuries, though the technique remains legal in some sambo and submission grappling rulesets. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Obstruction of the opponent's supporting leg while applying upper body force in the opposite direction
Joints Involved — Opponent's ankle or knee (blocked or swept), opponent's upper body (pushed or pulled off-balance)
Force Vector — Two opposing forces — upper body pushed/pulled one way while the support leg is swept or blocked the other
Takedown Mechanic — Removing the support leg while simultaneously applying directional force creates rotation around the blocked point
Position & Entry
From clinch range — Establish upper body control (collar tie, underhook, or body lock), obstruct the support leg with a trip or sweep, and drive the opponent to the mat
From grip fighting — Use push-pull action to shift the opponent's weight, then attack the loaded leg with the trip
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
10
Extreme10/10
Kani basami broke Yasuhiro Yamashita's fibula at the 1980 All Japan Championships, ending his competition career and leading to a worldwide ban. The scissoring action can fracture the tibia/fibula, tear ACL/MCL/PCL, and dislocate the knee. Unlike submissions where the defender can tap, injury occurs instantaneously during the takedown — there is no opportunity to submit. Multiple broken legs documented in judo and sambo competition. [1,2,3]
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— IJF — Scissor takedowns prohibited
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Scissor takedown prohibited at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Scissor holds on body prohibited in both freestyle ...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— ADCC — Scissor takedowns banned in all divisions except a...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFLegal
— Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 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
✓The scissoring action requires one leg sweeping forward (high) and one sweeping backward (low) simultaneously
✓The opposing forces of the two legs create an irresistible off-balancing force
✓Scissor takedowns are high-commitment — you're going to the ground regardless, so commit fully
✓Control the upper body with grips during the entry to maintain some directional control
✓Practice breakfalls extensively before drilling scissor takedowns — the landing is abrupt
✓Scissor takedowns work best against a tall, upright opponent with a narrow stance
Common Mistakes
!Half-committing to the scissor, which leaves you on the ground with the opponent standing
!Both legs going in the same direction instead of opposing directions
!Not controlling the upper body during the entry, so the opponent can jump over your legs
!Attempting scissors against a wide-stanced opponent who is difficult to topple
!Scissoring too high (at the waist) — target knees and ankles for maximum leverage
!Landing on your side without rolling to recover 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
Kodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Kodokan — Kani-basami (蟹挟) classification
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Nage-waza Classification
Kodokan — Kani-basami (蟹挟) classification
Community
Athletics
Requires
timing, balance, upper body control for push-pull
Favours
good coordination and sense of opponent's weight distribution
Key muscles
core stabilisers, hip adductors/abductors, calves
Sub-techniques
Notes
The scissor takedown (kani basami) was banned from IJF judo competition after causing severe knee injuries — the attacker scissors their legs around the opponent's legs, which can trap and torque the knee. Still legal in Sambo and some MMA rulesets. (IJF Sport and Organisation Rules; Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a scissor takedown when my opponent has an underhook?
According to MMA Surge, you can use the underhook as an opportunity to initiate the takedown by securing an overhook and grabbing the inner thigh, then stepping between their legs and sweeping them down while maintaining the overhook.
What's the key to making sure the scissor takedown actually works?
Make sure your legs cross completely during the sweep, as this ensures you get the takedown; when you hit the mat, keep the overhook if you still have it and advance to a better position.
What's the proper foot and hand positioning for executing a scissor takedown?
Turn to the side and get both of your feet to line up with your opponent's feet, place your hand to the mat, bring your leg up, and sweep like a scissor motion.
How does the Scissor Takedown work?
The Scissor Takedown family covers techniques where the attacker uses a scissors-like leg action — one leg attacking high and the other attacking low simultaneously — to take the opponent to the ground. The scissoring motion creates opposing forces on the opponent's body: one leg sweeps or blocks above the knee while the other sweeps or blocks below, creating an irresistible rotational force.
Where does the Scissor Takedown come from?
Scissor takedowns have been part of judo and various wrestling traditions, with kani basami being classified as a judo technique in the Kodokan system. The IJF banned kani basami from judo competition in 1980 after multiple knee injuries, though the technique remains legal in some sambo and submission grappling rulesets.
Is the Scissor Takedown legal in competition?
IJF: banned — Scissor takedowns prohibited; IBJJF: banned — Scissor takedown prohibited at all belt levels; UWW: banned — Scissor holds on body prohibited in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: banned — Scissor takedowns banned in all divisions except adult advanced; 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 Scissor Takedown?
Danger rating 10/10. Extreme — kani basami broke Yasuhiro Yamashita's fibula at the 1980 All Japan Championships, ending his competition career and leading to a worldwide ban. The scissoring action can fracture the tibia/fibula, tear ACL/MCL/PCL, and dislocate the knee. Unlike submissions where the defender can tap, injury occurs instantaneously during the takedown — there is no opportunity to submit. Multiple broken legs documented in judo and sambo competition.
How do I set up the Scissor Takedown?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Scissor Takedown?
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 Scissor Takedown?
Common variants: Standard trip (blocking or sweeping the support leg while driving the up…); Combination trip (chaining an inside trip with an outside trip when the opp…); Counter trip (using the trip as a counter when the opponent attacks); Clinch trip (executing the trip from a tight clinch position).
How effective is the Scissor Takedown in competition?
Kani basami was banned from IJF judo competition after multiple serious knee injuries. It is still permitted in some sambo rule sets.
What are common mistakes when doing the Scissor Takedown?
Top errors to watch for: Half-committing to the scissor, which leaves you on the ground with the opponent standing / Both legs going in the same direction instead of opposing directions / Not controlling the upper body during the entry, so the opponent can jump over your legs / Attempting scissors against a wide-stanced opponent who is difficult to topple.
What are other names for the Scissor Takedown?
The Scissor Takedown is also known as Kani-basami, Scissor Sweep, Leg Scissors, Flying Scissors.