Duck Under to Knee Pinch - Jay Rod
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Standard Duck Under·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Duck Under To Knee Pinch Takedown - In this BJJ Training video, Jay Rodriguez teaches the Duck Under to Knee Pinch taked…
Standard Duck Under
SubFamilyダックアンダー(Dakku Andā)
TransliterationTranslation: standard duck under (katakana)
Overview
The Standard Duck Under subfamily represents the basic duck under technique used as a general offensive tool, where the attacker ducks under the opponent's arm to achieve any advantageous position — side, behind, or angle — for a takedown. [1] The standard duck under prioritises creating an angular advantage over specifically achieving the back, giving the attacker flexibility to chain into whichever takedown is most available. [1],[2] The technique works from various tie-up positions including collar tie, underhook, and overhook, making it one of the most versatile positional-advantage techniques in wrestling. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The standard duck under is the fundamental version of the technique, using a level change to duck beneath the opponent's arm while maintaining contact. [1]
Lineage
This is the baseline duck under taught in wrestling programmes at all levels. [1]
Competition Record
The standard duck under is a regular technique in NCAA and freestyle competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Upper body manipulation — using head, arm, or collar control to break posture and create angle for takedown
Joints Involved — Opponent's shoulder (dragged or snapped), cervical spine (snap-down), attacker's hips (angle creation)
Force Vector — Pulling or redirecting force — arm drags create angular momentum, snap-downs use downward force
Takedown Mechanic — Off-balancing through upper body control creates openings for back takes or follow-up leg attacks
Position & Entry
From collar tie exchange — Duck under the opponent's arm by level changing and stepping to the side, pop up behind for back take or takedown
From overhook — When opponent controls with overhook, duck under the opposite arm and circle behind
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Duck under to rear; minimal impact, position-based
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IJF — Legal takedown technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— 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 any clinch tie, push the opponent's near arm upward to create space underneath
✓Drop your level and move your head and body under the raised arm, stepping to the opposite side
✓The duck under is a lateral movement, not just a downward one — think of it as going around, not under
✓Keep your back straight as you duck; rounding forward makes you slow and vulnerable
✓Your free hand reaches toward the opponent's far hip as you come through
✓Use the duck under to achieve any advantageous position: side, back, or angle for a shot
Common Mistakes
!Ducking straight down instead of laterally through to the other side
!Not pushing the arm up first, so it drops onto your neck as you try to duck
!Moving slowly enough that the opponent simply re-squares their stance
!Looking at the floor during the duck, losing track of the opponent's position
!Not reaching for the far hip as you come through, leaving you with no anchor
!Using the duck under as a standalone move instead of immediately transitioning to an attack
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
level change speed, agility, flexibility to duck under the arm
Favours
shorter stature for easier level change
Key muscles
quadriceps, core, neck, hip flexors
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I drop to a knee on the outside rather than moving straight into my opponent during a duck under?
When you drop to a knee and go outside, it keeps your opponent's weight going past you rather than right into you, which prevents them from fighting your movement. This positional awareness helps you maintain control of the exchange.
How do I position myself after the duck under drop?
You want to go slightly around your opponent rather than directly into them, which sets you up for follow-up controls like a knee pinch.
How does the Standard Duck Under work?
The Standard Duck Under subfamily represents the basic duck under technique used as a general offensive tool, where the attacker ducks under the opponent's arm to achieve any advantageous position — side, behind, or angle — for a takedown. The standard duck under prioritises creating an angular advantage over specifically achieving the back, giving the attacker flexibility to chain into whichever takedown is most available.
Where does the Standard Duck Under come from?
The standard duck under has been a staple of wrestling instruction and competition across multiple styles for generations. Its versatility and low energy cost ensure its continued relevance in modern wrestling, grappling, and MMA.
Is the Standard Duck Under legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal takedown technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; 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 Duck Under?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — duck under to rear; minimal impact, position-based
How do I set up the Standard Duck Under?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard Duck Under?
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 Duck Under?
Common variants: Standard duck under (level changing under the opponent's arm to take the back); Duck under to single leg (using the duck under to transition to a single-leg attack); Duck under from overhook (ducking under when the opponent holds an overhook).
How effective is the Standard Duck Under in competition?
The standard duck under is a regular technique in NCAA and freestyle competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Duck Under?
Top errors to watch for: Ducking straight down instead of laterally through to the other side / Not pushing the arm up first, so it drops onto your neck as you try to duck / Moving slowly enough that the opponent simply re-squares their stance / Looking at the floor during the duck, losing track of the opponent's position.
What are other names for the Standard Duck Under?
The Standard Duck Under is also known as Dakku Andā, Duck Under, Dip Under, Moguri.