Title: Ankle Pick: Steps, Key Details & Mistakes | DARCE

Canonical: https://darce.app/techniques/wrestling/ankle-pick

> Ankle Pick. Snap the opponent onto a leg, then change levels and pick the ankle to put them down.

# Ankle Pick

- Wrestling
- Takedowns
- intermediate
- Collar tie
- 4 steps

Snap the opponent onto a leg, then change levels and pick the ankle to put them down. Also known as the Collar-and-ankle. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 4 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

## When to use it

Use the ankle pick when the opponent stands tall with their weight on the lead foot. Snap the head down and to the side so they plant that foot. It works well against an opponent who reacts to your snap by pushing back up.

## Step by step

1. 01

   ### Engage

   Establish a collar tie and read their weight.

2. 02

   ### Snap to load the lead leg

   Snap the head down and to the side so their weight settles onto the lead foot, planting it.

3. 03

   ### Level change & pick the ankle

   Drop your level, cup behind their lead ankle and drive their head/shoulder the opposite way to break the base.

4. 04

   ### Drive through & finish

   Lift the ankle and drive forward to take them down, following up on top.

## Key details

- Pick the ankle of the leg they are standing on. Load it first with the snap.
- Drive their upper body away from the picked ankle to take the base out.
- Keep your own head up and back straight as you reach for the ankle.

## Common mistakes

- Reaching for the ankle without first making them weight that leg.
- Bending at the waist instead of changing levels with the knees.
- Picking the ankle but not driving the head, so they simply re-base.

## Common counters

Opponents step the foot back, keep their weight off it, or sprawl when they feel your level change. Some pull their head out of the tie and step away. Drive the head away from the ankle as you pick.

## How to drill it

From a collar tie, snap your partner to one side and pick the planted ankle, driving them to the mat. Do three rounds of two minutes with light resistance, alternating sides.

## Related techniques

- [Double-Leg Takedown Wrestling Change levels, penetrate, and drive through both legs to put the opponent on their back.](https://darce.app/techniques/wrestling/double-leg)
- [Single-Leg Takedown Wrestling Capture one leg with the head outside, then run the pipe or trip to finish on top.](https://darce.app/techniques/wrestling/single-leg)
- [Duck Under Wrestling Change levels and slip your head under the opponent’s arm to take their back.](https://darce.app/techniques/wrestling/duck-under)
- [High Crotch Wrestling A penetrating attack to the inner thigh with the head up on the outside, tight to their hip, lifting one leg to finish.](https://darce.app/techniques/wrestling/high-crotch)
- [Fireman's Carry Wrestling Drop under a tie, load the opponent across your shoulders and roll them to the mat.](https://darce.app/techniques/wrestling/firemans-carry)
- [Outside Trip Wrestling Off-balance the opponent and reap their leg from the outside to trip them onto their back.](https://darce.app/techniques/wrestling/outside-trip)

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