How to Take Down Your Opponent with the Duck Under
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Standard Duck Under Technique·NY Martial Arts Academy·Added by Admin
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Standard Duck Under Technique
Genusダックアンダー(Dakku Andā)
TransliterationTranslation: standard duck under technique
Overview
The Standard Duck Under Technique executes the fundamental duck under where the attacker, from a clinch or tie-up position, pushes the opponent's near arm upward, drops the level by bending the knees, ducks the head under the raised arm, and steps through to the opponent's side or back. [1] The technique requires coordinated timing of the arm push, level drop, and step-through — all three must happen nearly simultaneously. [1],[2] The attacker emerges on the other side of the opponent's arm with an angular advantage, ready to attack with whatever takedown is available from the new position. [2] The duck under is one of the most fundamental and frequently used set-up techniques in wrestling. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The duck under is a fundamental wrestling technique valued for its low energy cost and high success rate when the opponent is engaged in the clinch with a high posture. [1] The technique works by changing the angle of attack rather than relying on explosive level changes, making it effective for wrestlers who prefer finesse over power. [1] In MMA, the duck under is a safe entry because the attacker moves to the side or back of the opponent, minimising exposure to strikes. [2]
Lineage
The duck under has been a staple of American folkstyle and freestyle wrestling for over a century. [1] Ben Askren, 2008 NCAA champion and multiple-time All-American, became known for his exceptionally effective duck under, which he used as a primary technique throughout his collegiate and MMA career. [2]
Competition Record
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Chest-to-chest connection with locked hands — body lock controls the opponent's torso as a single unit
Joints Involved — Attacker's hips (lifting or driving), opponent's spine (compressed within the lock), shoulders (restricted)
Force Vector — Varies — front body lock uses lateral or backward arching force; rear body lock uses lift and rotation
Takedown Mechanic — Controlling the torso eliminates independent limb posting — opponent cannot base out effectively
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
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
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 a collar tie or clinch, push the opponent's near arm up with your posting hand
✓Bend your knees to drop your level and step laterally under the raised arm, moving your head to the opposite side of their body
✓As you emerge on the other side, your near hand reaches for their far hip to establish contact
✓Your feet continue moving to achieve the angle — side position, back position, or behind them
✓Use the angle immediately: arm around the waist for a body lock, or drop to a single leg
✓The faster you move through the duck, the less time the opponent has to react
Common Mistakes
!Pushing the arm and ducking simultaneously — push first, then duck for proper timing
!Not bending the knees, so you duck by rounding your back (slow, weak, exposed)
!Emerging on the other side and standing still without attacking — the angle disappears in a second
!Head leading without the body following — your whole body must commit to the lateral movement
!Not reaching for the far hip, leaving you with no control after the duck
!Telegraphing by looking to the duck side before initiating
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the collar tie so important in the duck under?
The collar tie is critical because you're dragging your opponent down to the mat from their neck, so you must keep it tight throughout the technique. According to NY Martial Arts Academy, you lock your hand on the opponent and pinch your forearm in to close the gap and maintain control from setup through the takedown.
How should I change my level when ducking under?
The level change must come from your knees, never from bending at your hips or neck. NY Martial Arts Academy emphasizes that you dip slightly by dropping your knees while keeping your head up and your neck strong throughout the movement.
What angle do I need to achieve before finishing the takedown?
You need to become perpendicular to your opponent as you come around, with your knees bent, hips in, and back straight to maintain good posture. From this position, you grab the inside of the crotch and explode upward using your legs and hips to complete the takedown.
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping the arm during the duck under?
Pinch their arm tight between your shoulder and ear like you're holding a telephone, and maintain this pressure as you transition. NY Martial Arts Academy stresses keeping this grip secure because your opponent will try to pull their arm free.
How does the Standard Duck Under Technique work?
The Standard Duck Under Technique executes the fundamental duck under where the attacker, from a clinch or tie-up position, pushes the opponent's near arm upward, drops the level by bending the knees, ducks the head under the raised arm, and steps through to the opponent's side or back. The technique requires coordinated timing of the arm push, level drop, and step-through — all three must happen nearly simultaneously.
Where does the Standard Duck Under Technique come from?
The standard duck under technique has been taught in wrestling programmes worldwide as a basic offensive tool since the formalisation of modern wrestling curricula. Its universal applicability across clinch positions makes it one of the most practised wrestling movements.
Is the Standard Duck Under Technique 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 Technique?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — duck under to rear; minimal impact, position-based
How do I set up the Standard Duck Under Technique?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Standard Duck Under Technique?
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 Technique?
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 Technique in competition?
The duck under is one of the most commonly drilled and scored techniques in NCAA folkstyle wrestling. Ben Askren's funk-style wrestling, centred on the duck under and other unorthodox techniques, produced a 153-8 collegiate record and 2008 NCAA championship at 174 lbs.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Duck Under Technique?
Top errors to watch for: Pushing the arm and ducking simultaneously — push first, then duck for proper timing / Not bending the knees, so you duck by rounding your back (slow, weak, exposed) / Emerging on the other side and standing still without attacking — the angle disappears in a second / Head leading without the body following — your whole body must commit to the lateral movement.
What are other names for the Standard Duck Under Technique?
The Standard Duck Under Technique is also known as Dakku Andā, Standard Duck Under TD, Dip-Under Takedown, Level-Drop Duck.