When starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu there’s a number of areas to begin learning. From takedowns to escapes, to sweeps and submissions – it’s true that in the beginning, BJJ has a lot going on. Because of this, it’s important to break things down into smaller segments to make things easier to manage. For instance, if you look at the entirety of BJJ it can be overwhelming. However, if you look at things individually then it can be much easier and less daunting to learn.
One of the key areas of BJJ is takedowns. Not only useful in the gym, but they are also an essential part of self defense. As BJJ has its roots in self defense, it’s important to learn how to take people down to defend yourself as guard pulling may not always be an option. Here are some of the options to consider:
Table of Contents
Wrestling
Single leg takedown
The single leg is one of the main takedowns in wrestling. It is constantly seen in MMA and also in BJJ at the highest levels. Not only can it be achieved in the gi, but is a common move in nogi. The entry in nogi is to start with a collar tie grip. This means cupping the opponent’s head with an open palm, with the arm fighting for inside space between their arm and head. The other arm typically controls their wrist or grabs the elbow of the opponent.
From here, your inside leg drops to the knee and your other leg steps out, shooting your body forward towards their leg. This is done on the side of the wrist or elbow control. From here, you can grab their leg and connect your hands together. At this point, you should be standing and can drive into the opponent’s stomach with your forehead to move the opponent.
You can finish the single leg by swinging the leg down and off balancing the opponent or by tripping their other leg. Alternatively, you can use the single leg to enter the double leg. Similar entries can be done in the gi with collar and sleeve grips instead of clinch holds and wrist control.
The main issue of the single leg is getting caught with a Guillotine. This is common for beginners who keep their head on the outside. Remember, when doing this takedown your head should be on the inside to avoid this. It also allows greater control by moving their body with your forehead. Unlike some of the Judo moves, wrestling is generally easier for newbies to learn as it requires less perfection for moves to work.
Double leg
The double leg is another common wrestling takedown. This can also be entered from a collar tie clinch. From here, the idea is to open up the opponent’s body to allow access to the inside. Entering the inside of their body space is key for takedowns as it allows for trips and throws to be created. To do this, you can fake pulling their head down to create a reaction. When they pull up or duck away, you can then start the double leg.
In this instance, you can shoot your legs nearer and create a body lock grip around the hips or upper legs. This time however, your head is on the outside of the body instead of inside. Again, the idea is to use your head to move your opponent. You should move your neck to the side that you want the opponent to fall on. Whilst grabbing their upper legs with the bodylock, the momentum should bring both their legs off the floor to finish the takedown.
Again, if starting out you may get hit with a Guillotine here. The idea is to enter the takedown swiftly to avoid this. By taking them down as quickly as possible, they can’t get a leg entanglement which means the Guillotine attempt is nullified. Remember to tuck your chin as you enter the head position and keep your posture straight to avoid this.
Judo
The inside trip
Takedowns in Judo differ from wrestling as they mostly apply in the Gi, whereas wrestling is more Nogi based. Of course, you can do both moves in and out of the Gi so there is crossover. However, generally speaking, Judo moves rely more so on grips and intricate foot positioning.
A fairly low-risk takedown for Judo in BJJ is the inside trip. Unlike other Judo moves, it can be more simple which is why it may be suitable for BJJ beginners. This starts from getting an overhook and underhook on your opponent. Often you will fight for the underhook as it can lead to body lock positions and is offensive, whereas overhooks aren’t as dominant. To get this, you can grab the belt and then quickly bring your arm behind the opponent’s back. The next step is to wrap the overhook on their other arm.
From here, you should step in towards the opponent with the same side leg as the overhook. You then want to put your ankle behind their foot which creates the trip and drop towards the floor to do so. Because you have the overhook, you want to drop towards this side. This means they cannot base or recover with their arm as it is trapped. UFC champion Khabib can be seen doing this and is a simple but effective move to gain a dominant position.
The sacrifice throw
The Sacrifice throw is good for beginners as if they fail, they will finish in bottom half guard. Of course, this is not the objective of a takedown. However, unlike other throws – ending in bottom half guard is not awful. Some beginners can be seen pulling mount on themselves through a botched takedown. With this said, the Sacrifice throw is a good option for a newbie.
To begin the Sacrifice throw, you want a grip on the opponent’s sleeve. Like the overhook in the previous example, this is to stop them from posting when hitting the floor. The next step is to get your other hand grabbing on the same side collar to break their posture. Before attempting the throw, you want to push and pull the opponent to create a reaction.
When the opponent defends the push by stepping forwards, you want to fall to the side and kick the same ankle of the arm that you have the sleeve grip on. This should trip them and bring them to the floor. If done correctly you now have side control. If done wrong, they may not fall properly and end up in top half guard. Like everything, practice is key and eventually, this won’t happen as much.
Guard pulling straight into a sweep
A different option that isn’t technically a takedown is pulling guard straight into a sweep. By giving yourself three seconds to hit the sweep upon hitting the floor, this is a good mentality to gain an aggressive guard game. For example, you could do a regular guard pull but then put your other foot onto the opponent’s other hip and then elevate them into a balloon sweep. Or, you could pull a De La Riva straight into a tripod sweep attempt.
Although guard pulling is frowned upon in MMA, this has actually been done at times with great success. Some have even pulled deep half guard straight into a single leg sweep. In short, the idea is to pull with a move lined up instantly. Too often in BJJ, people pull guard and then wait a few seconds to react. By instantly trying to reverse the position, you may hit the opponent off guard and it’s also a good mentality to develop. Whilst you should try the takedowns listed above, this may be a good option to keep the opponent guessing.
Summary
Overall it’s important to develop a takedown game as stand up is a key element of BJJ. Whether using takedowns in the gym or in a fight – they can instantly end a match if done correctly. Not only this, but it is important to be able to be competent in defending takedowns as well which comes from practicing stand up. In conclusion, these are the best moves for beginners to try as they are fairly low risk and easier than other takedowns in terms of success. Not only this, but these moves can be used from white until black belt.
