What Are The Best Wrestling Takedowns?

• By Isabel Rodriguez

The NCAA revised its rules in 2023, increasing the points awarded for a takedown from two to three. This was done to give offensive wrestlers an edge and make matches more active and aggressive. With takedowns now carrying more weight, knowing the best and most reliable takedowns can be the key to victory. As with many techniques, factors such as body type and flexibility may affect the effectiveness of certain moves. However, with these takedowns, you can’t go wrong.

1. Blast Double 

A blast double is similar to a normal double leg with a few key differences in technique. Blast doubles are less technical and better when facing a tougher opponent. One advantage of the blast double is that you don’t necessarily need to set it up. If your opponent is within reach, then the move is obtainable. First, begin in your stance. Next, level change and take a deep penetration step in between your opponent's legs. As you move forward, position your head in the middle of their chest or to the side and wrap your arms around the back of their knees. Continue to push your opponent forward as you pull in their legs all with explosive power and then secure the takedown. Since the blast double is more about explosive power than speed and technique, it can be a simple move that gives solid results.  

2. Outside Sweep Single 

This technique is a perfect takedown against bigger and stronger opponents. Going to their outside leg makes it a harder move to defend and, if done correctly, can be a fast technique done from multiple set ups. To begin, start in your stance and notice which of your opponent’s leg is forward. Whichever leg is forward is typically the leg you would want to shoot for. Choose your set up then, as you shoot for the leg, step on the outside near their lead foot. As you drop that knee of the same leg you stepped with, you want to wrap your arms around your opponent's leg. At the same time, sweep your back leg around and make sure your head is positioned tight and high at their hip. Once you get to that point, you can finish the takedown in multiple ways. A common way is to then lift their leg up and secure it tightly in your armpit opposite of the leg you shot in on. Then you can proceed to trip the leg remaining.  

3.  Duck Under 

The Duck Under is a very simple takedown that does not involve grabbing your opponent’s legs but instead focuses on hand fighting. It’s a great quick takedown that can even be used to set up other moves. To begin you need to establish a collar tie in your neutral stance, bringing your back hand to their neck and your front hand to their upper arm to secure it. Keep a tight grip and place your forehead on theirs. Next, as your opponent pushes forward (timing is crucial here), lift the arm you secured and take a front step. As you do, lower your body and go underneath their lifted arm. Drive your head underneath and circle it towards their shoulder at the same time you pull their neck downwards. To complete this move as a takedown, you need to combine force and speed to bring your opponent all the way to the mat. Once behind them, secure your dominant position to guarantee your points.  

All of these techniques are great examples of a more offensive style of wrestling and can help secure those takedown points. With constant practice and conditioning, these moves can be the difference in winning a match. To get a visual for these techniques and more, learn from Carl Adams' 'Basic Takedown' course linked below.

https://coachtube.com/course/wrestling/basic-takedowns/43729