Double Leg Takedowns: The Fundamentals

In collaboration with Espen Mathiesen 

The double leg is one of the most basic takedowns, and also one of the most effective. It works because the fundamentals do most of the job: the right distance, a deep shot, a low base, and a change of angle at the end. In this guide, we will break down each piece so the takedown works properly.  

Start With Range 

Before you shoot, understand your range and make sure your opponent is within it. This is the first thing to check, and it's the one most people skip. 

If your opponent is too far away and you shoot anyway, it's extremely hard to reach the legs. And even if you do get there from a long distance, it's very hard to finish the takedown. That gives your opponent time to counter, attack a submission, or scramble. Get the distance right first, then shoot. 

Penetrate the Shot 

Once you're in range, the goal is to penetrate the shot as deeply as possible. If you barely step in, you sacrifice your posture, and it becomes easy for your opponent to sprawl and counter. 

Instead, take your lead leg and step all the way between your opponent's legs. Don't stop at the edge. As you go deep, lower your base at the same time. If you stay tall while shooting, you end up shooting downward and never get a good shot. 

Direction matters here: you want to shoot low, go in from underneath, then rise up. Shooting down at your opponent's legs works against you. 

Keep a Strong Posture 

After you step in and connect to the legs, keep your posture strong so you can really lock in. Two details make a big difference: 

Change the Angle to Finish 

Here's where a lot of double legs stall. If you just keep driving in the same direction, the finish is tricky. The fix is to change the angle. 

To do it, rotate on your knee and step your other leg out. From there, use that leg to drive, while staying connected to your opponent's legs and actively using your head. Then step in tight with your lead leg, use that connection to elevate your opponent, and finish the takedown. 

To recap the sequence: 

Common Mistakes to Watch For 

Most failed double legs come down to a few small mistakes. These are the ones to watch for: 

FAQ 

What’s the first thing to check before shooting a double leg? 
Your range. Make sure your opponent is within reach before you shoot. If they’re too far away, it’s very hard to get to the legs, and even harder to finish the takedown. 

What happens if I shoot from too far away? 
Even if you reach the legs, your opponent has time to counter, attack a submission, or scramble. That’s why range comes first. 

How deep should I shoot? 
As deep as possible. Step your lead leg all the way in between your opponent’s legs instead of barely stepping in. A shallow shot sacrifices your posture and makes it easy to sprawl and counter. 

Should I shoot down or up? 
Up. Lower your base and shoot low, going in from underneath and then up. If you stay tall, you end up shooting downward and don’t get a good shot. 

Where should I look while I shoot? 
Straight ahead. Looking down gives your opponent a chance to push on your head or attack your neck. 

What do I do if the takedown stalls? 
Change the angle. Rotate on your knee, step your other leg out, and drive with it while staying connected to the legs. Then step in tight with your lead leg to elevate your opponent and finish.