The single leg is one of the most popular takedowns in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, both gi, and no-gi. This takedown is relatively low risk and only requires you to get hold of one of your opponent’s legs. However, the single leg can be quite difficult to finish on a strong opponent that knows how to defend it. A skilled opponent will push your head away and free his leg. This can make you exhausted and easy to counter, leading to you being thrown. Because of this, many people shy away from single legs and avoid using them in grappling. Nonetheless, a single-leg takedown can be an excellent weapon if you understand its off-balancing mechanics and know the efficient finishes to this technique. 

One great technique you can use from the single-leg position is the thigh pry. This move requires you to drop the shoulder of the arm closer to your opponent’s buttocks behind his hamstring. From there, you can put your hand above your opponent’s far knee and create a pry-like mechanism that will force your opponent’s hands to the mat. Rather than heading towards your opponent, circle behind him and look in the same direction as he does. Once your opponent has his hands on the mat, you can convert this position to a backside double leg and drive forward for the finish. The advantage of this technique is that you don’t have to take many risks or risk losing the top position to finish a single leg.

You can use this mechanic from a regular and high single leg. The only thing that matters is getting your shoulder below your opponent’s hamstring. John Danaher is a huge proponent of this in his teaching, and he uses the thigh pry from many different positions, such as a rear bodylock, single leg, etc. You can learn more about this mechanism in his newest DVD, Standing2ground, which covers the most important takedown concepts for no-gi grappling. 

Here is a video of John Danaher explaining the thigh pry from the single-leg position. Try this in sparring, and give us your thoughts! Safe training!

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Score Points And Start The Fight In Powerful Positions – Without Leaving Yourself Exposed – With Takedowns Specially Designed For Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu With Joey Alvarado!

• Learn how to modify popular takedown techniques so that you don’t end up in a bad position.
• Learn how to properly pull or even jump to guard and set up submissions right away.
• Break your opponent’s grips and wrestle them to the floor, gi or no gi.