Introduction to the Inverted Ankle Pick
Hudson Taylor, a three-time Division I All-American wrestler and long-time instructor at Marcelo Garcia's academy, demonstrates the inverted ankle pick—a high-percentage leg attack variation that differs fundamentally from the conventional ankle pick. This technique has proven highly effective in both wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu applications.
Initial Setup and Grip
Begin by establishing a firm sleeve grip on your opponent. The goal is not to immediately secure the leg, but to force your opponent's rear foot to step backward, which creates the necessary positioning for the subsequent attack.
Feint Single-Leg Attack
Execute a feint single-leg takedown to drive your opponent's weight backward and force a rearward step. Offensive momentum is generated through your own foot movement—the more actively you advance, the more pressure you apply to your opponent's defensive positioning.
Hand Placement and Ankle Control
As your opponent's rear foot steps back, immediately drop your reaching hand to the inside of their ankle. Rotate your palm to face your opponent's ankle while maintaining downward pressure through your sleeve grip.
Execution: Synchronized Pull and Lift
Execute two simultaneous motions: pull downward sharply with the sleeve grip while lifting upward on the ankle. This coordinated action removes your opponent's ability to post their leg, leaving them with no base from which to recover.
Fallback: Reverse Single-Leg Takedown
If the ankle pick does not immediately succeed, transition your forearm pressure from the ankle to your opponent's knee. Drive their leg backward using your elbow and forearm to execute a reverse single-leg takedown, finishing in a dominant position near side control.
Defeating the Collar Control Counter
When an opponent controls your collar in response to the sleeve grip, sufficient downward pressure through the sleeve grip maintains your advantage and prevents effective counter-control. The critical requirement remains forcing your opponent's rear foot to step backward before the ankle pick can be executed.
Strategic Misdirection and Positional Advantage
The inverted ankle pick exploits directional misdirection—your opponent expects pressure to drive forward, but instead the attack redirects their momentum backward. This positioning advantage places you proximal to side control or dominant finishing positions.
The Inverted Ankle Pick by Hudson Taylor
Key Takeaways
- •Introduction to the Inverted Ankle Pick
- •Initial Setup and Grip
- •Feint Single-Leg Attack
- •Hand Placement and Ankle Control
Ankle pick is one of the main techniques used by wrestlers in grappling. In this video Hudson Taylor shows a great variation, doing the inverted ankle pick instead of the regular ankle pick. - The Inverted Ankle Pick by Hudson Taylor - For The Best BJJ Instructional Videos, Check Out: https://bjjfanatics.com - For all your BJJ Gear and Apparel Needs Visit - https://store.bjjfanatics.com/ - Are you a BJJ Fanatics Insider? If not, you are missing out! Join now at: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/insiders-club - "Bernardo Faria is a 5x World Champion. Bernardo started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Juiz de Fora - MG, Brazil at the age of 14 in 2001. After receiving the Black Belt from his first instructor Ricardo Marques in 2008, He moved to Sao Paulo to join BJJ legend Fabio Gurgel and his Alliance team. After many years of training and winning many major titles, Bernardo moved to NYC in 2013 to train and teach at Marcelo Garcia Academy. In 2015 Bernardo achieved his dream of winning the IBJJF World Championship Open class title and his division, doing the double Gold and becoming the 1st in the IBJJF Ranking and also choosed as the best athlete of 2015. Bernardo Faria has now taken on the mission to share some of the lessons, techniques, experiences and more that he has learned along in his 16 years and counting as a BJJ student, teacher and world class competitor. Subscribe to his channel, and join him in this amazing BJJ Journey. We promise that you will also improve your BJJ with his awesome Video Lessons, Episodes of his "5 Minutes BJJ Talk" and more..." http://bernardofaria.com https://www.facebook.com/bernardofariabjj/ https://www.instagram.com/bernardofariabjj/ https://twitter.com/bernardofariajj
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about standard inside ankle pick?
This video covers introduction to the inverted ankle pick, initial setup and grip, feint single-leg attack. It provides detailed instruction from Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics.
How long does it take to learn standard inside ankle pick?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing standard inside ankle pick?
When an opponent controls your collar in response to the sleeve grip, sufficient downward pressure through the sleeve grip maintains your advantage and prevents effective counter-control. The critical requirement remains forcing your opponent's rear foot to step backward before the ankle pick can be executed.
