Foundational Setup with Inside Control

The instructor establishes the double leg takedown by securing inside control, positioning both arms within the opponent's guard. A controlled snap to the opponent's head triggers their natural upward reaction, creating the optimal window for the takedown entry. This reactive moment is critical to successful shot execution.

Entry Mechanics and Hand Positioning

Upon the opponent's upward movement, the instructor executes the penetration step and secures both legs. Hands lock directly beneath the hips, eliminating the opponent's sprawl defense and controlling both hips and legs simultaneously. Proper hand placement is essential for neutralizing escape options.

Posture and Body Alignment

The instructor maintains strict postural control with a straight back, engaged hips glued to the opponent's leg, and head positioned into the opponent's ribs. The entire body structure—head placement, hip position, and leg stance—creates a unified driving force oriented laterally rather than backward. Poor posture at this stage directly undermines takedown completion.

Lateral Drive and Completion

The instructor steps up while maintaining a bent-knee squat position and drives the opponent sideways using aligned body mechanics. All offensive tools naturally face the lateral direction, making this the path of least resistance for the takedown. Attempting to drive straight back contradicts the biomechanical setup and significantly reduces finishing success.

Integration with Striking Defense

When an opponent initiates striking, slipping the punch creates the same takedown window as the head snap. The instructor lowers level while evading the strike, immediately transitioning into the double leg without dropping the knee to the mat. This approach is particularly valuable in self-defense scenarios on unpadded surfaces where knee contact poses injury risk.

Entry from Offensive Combinations

Offensively, a cross-hook combination generates hip torque that naturally transitions into explosive double leg entry. The instructor uses the momentum and rotational force from the hook to drive into the takedown rather than treating the entry as a separate action. This seamless integration maximizes power generation and timing.

Lifting Finish Variation

An alternative finishing method involves lifting the opponent vertically rather than driving laterally. The instructor elevates explosively off the hip momentum established during entry, bringing the opponent airborne before controlled descent. Both finishing variations employ identical entry mechanics but differ in the final directional force application.

Tips on Finishing a Double Leg Takedown

NY Martial Arts Academy

Standard Double Collar Cage

2 min read·7 key moments·PT6M20S video

Key Takeaways

•Foundational Setup with Inside Control
•Entry Mechanics and Hand Positioning
•Posture and Body Alignment
•Lateral Drive and Completion

https://www.nymaa.com/ Adult program https://bit.ly/2G4cMJ2 Kids program https://bit.ly/2X3B64G Private lessons https://bit.ly/2RzYULO Brooklyn Location https://bit.ly/2QQOqaz Astoria Location https://bit.ly/2XqRwUZ Little Neck Location https://bit.ly/2Xt7r5t Glen Cove Location https://bit.ly/2QLZK7V The double leg takedown is a go to move in wrestling. It’s important to keep your posture strong when shooting a a double leg. In this video Sifu Paul showcases locking the hands on the double leg. This stops your opponent from sprawling. At 3:48 he showcases how to do the double leg from a fighting scenario as opposed to a pure wrestling scenario. You’ll notice he slipped the punch and didn’t put his knee on the ground when shooting. At 5:14 he shows the double leg takedown off of a cross hook combination. Feel free to comment if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about standard double collar cage?

This video covers foundational setup with inside control, entry mechanics and hand positioning, posture and body alignment. It provides detailed instruction from NY Martial Arts Academy.

How long does it take to learn standard double collar cage?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 7-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.