Single leg take down

[gungfuhero]

Why would you do a single leg instead of a double leg tackle? What is its application?

[Jaguar Wong]

Cause my double leg is sloppy, and I get caught in a guillotine 8/10 times. I've learned to get out of them, but it's still hard to get the clean takedown.

I've heard from some wrestlers that it's personal prefrence, but they usually favor the single leg, cause for them it's faster and safer. I'm not sure, though.

[Underdog]

I'm southpaw, and also tall; if I shoot for the double I get sprawled most of the time, but if I revert to single leg usually I can get the takedown.

[gungfuhero]

So is there less commitment involved w/ the single leg?

[Bad Karma]

Less risk of counter. Figure, you have your entire body to one side and not in front of your opponent. You're working your body against one leg instead of both legs and upper tools.

Peace

[Jaguar Wong]

I think the single leg is a preferred takedown. I'm sure many people would take the double leg if they saw a wide opening for it, but then again, many people would also throw the right cross, instead of just a jab if they saw an opening.

Like Bad Karma said, you only have to control one leg. You can suck it in, and brace the knee with your shoulder, or chest, or you can pull them in to trip/sweep the other leg out from under them, etc. You have options. With the double leg, you are using both arms to control their legs, and your head/shoulders to control their hip. You have to shoot in deeper and get your base under theirs if you want an effective shot.

I think there are also more variations of the single leg. I've seen mark Kerr perform perfect low single legs many times and take his opponents down with very little risk of eating a punch.

I also think personal preference plays a big part when deciding which takedown to use.

[david a]

If I would try to take down a 300 lb man i would go for a single instead of a double. I believe that more energy is used to take him off balance with a double then a single because you are only against half of his balanced weight.
Does that sound right to you, guys?

[Martial Artist]

I would pull guard

[Martial Artist]

To be serious though.I would go for a double.But I do a double different than most poeple.I shoot in with my left knee first,grab,then I throw my right leg behind his left and tackle.Putting me in the half guard.It just eliminates the threat of getting choked.

[Jaguar Wong]

Martial Artist, I'm trying to picture your double leg. I think I know what you're talking about, but are you in his half guard, or do you have a half guard on him? I was taught a similar method, but it was more of a transition shot. You go for the single leg, then after sucking it up close to your chest, you take the other leg. Almost like a second mini sinlge leg.

[Martial Artist]

Well really all it is is a double leg but I throw mybehind leg and wrap it around his leg and trip him.Then I am on top and he has me in his half-guard.

[Patterson]

Its not an uncommon finish... Its the leg hook everyone does from the body lock but used as a follow through.

[david a]

Why do I have the feeling no one listens to me anymore.
Must be the shoes.