Single Leg: Takedown Attacking One of the Opponent's Legs
The single leg takedown is a wrestling technique where a fighter grabs one of the opponent's legs and works to off-balance and bring them to the ground. Unlike the double leg, which attacks both legs simultaneously, the single leg isolates one leg and uses leverage, lifts, or trips to complete the takedown. It is one of the most commonly used takedowns in wrestling and MMA due to its versatility and relatively low entry risk.
Origins and Usage
The single leg is a cornerstone of freestyle and folkstyle wrestling, where it is drilled from the earliest levels of competition. Its popularity stems from the fact that it can be initiated from further away than a double leg, requires less commitment to the shot, and offers multiple finishes depending on the opponent's reaction.
Common single leg finishes include running the pipe, where the attacker drives forward while lifting the leg; tripping the standing leg; and the high crotch lift. Each variation suits different body types and athletic attributes, making the single leg adaptable to almost any fighter's game.
In Underground Fighting
In underground fighting, the single leg is a tactical takedown that allows the attacker to change levels while maintaining some defensive awareness. Unlike the double leg, which requires driving the head into the opponent's midsection, the single leg can be executed while keeping the head on the outside, reducing exposure to knees and uppercuts.
On hard surfaces, the single leg is sometimes preferred over the double leg because it offers more control during the landing phase. The attacker can guide the opponent down rather than slamming them, reducing the risk of injury to both fighters on concrete or packed earth.
Related Terms
- Double Leg -- Takedown attacking both legs simultaneously
- Takedown -- The general category of bringing an opponent to the ground
- Sprawl -- The primary defense against single leg attempts