Single-Leg Takedown
- Wrestling
- Takedowns
- fundamental
- Neutral / open space
- 4 steps
Capture one leg with the head outside, then run the pipe or trip to finish on top. Also known as the High single or the Single. 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
Attack the single when the opponent stands in a staggered stance with the lead leg in reach. Fake high or snap them down first to bring their weight onto that leg. It is also the natural follow-up when a double leg is half defended.
Step by step
- 01
Engage in your stance
Fight for ties and find the angle to attack the lead leg.
- 02
Change levels
Drop your hips and load to shoot, keeping your posture tall through the spine.
- 03
Capture the leg, head outside
Penetrate to the lead leg, clasp your hands behind the knee and keep your head on the outside, chest tight to the thigh.
- 04
Run the pipe & finish
Drive into them and run your feet toward the captured leg, turning the corner to take them down and follow up on top.
Key details
- Head on the outside of the leg so you cannot be guillotined or pushed down.
- Pinch your knees and chest tight to the captured leg to kill their movement.
- Keep driving and turning the corner. A stalled single gets defended.
Common mistakes
- Letting the head fall to the inside of the leg.
- Standing tall and trying to lift with the back instead of driving with the legs.
- Holding the leg low and giving them room to hop and counter.
Common counters
The main defences are the whizzer, sprawling the captured leg back, and hopping on the free leg while pushing your head down. A head on the inside invites a guillotine. Keep the head outside and keep your feet moving.
How to drill it
Your partner stands in their stance and gives you the lead leg: capture it with your head outside and run the pipe to finish. Do three rounds of two minutes, then add a whizzer from your partner so you finish through it.
Related techniques
- Double-Leg TakedownWrestlingChange levels, penetrate, and drive through both legs to put the opponent on their back.
- Ankle PickWrestlingSnap the opponent onto a leg, then change levels and pick the ankle to put them down.
- Duck UnderWrestlingChange levels and slip your head under the opponent’s arm to take their back.
- High CrotchWrestlingA penetrating attack to the inner thigh with the head up on the outside, tight to their hip, lifting one leg to finish.
- Knee PickWrestlingSteer the opponent past you and pick the knee to drop them straight to the mat.
- Outside TripWrestlingOff-balance the opponent and reap their leg from the outside to trip them onto their back.
Train it with the AI coach