# Single-Leg Takedown

> A takedown family that isolates one leg and finishes through running, lifting, tripping, or changing direction.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-takedown
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-takedown.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/single-leg-takedown
- **Category:** takedown
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** fundamental
- **Aliases:** single leg, ashi dori, leg attack
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

The single leg controls one of the opponent's legs while the attacker uses head position, hand connection, and footwork to remove the remaining posts. It includes low, mid, high-crotch, sweep-single, and run-the-pipe families.

Jiu-jitsu adds submission and guard considerations. Attackers must protect the neck from front headlocks and should finish in a way that limits immediate guard entries. The single leg also appears constantly as a wrestle-up from seated and half guard.

## Key principles

- Connect head, hands, and shoulder to the captured leg.
- Keep posture strong enough to resist front-headlock pressure.
- Move the opponent's upper body and standing foot in different directions.
- Transition between finishes instead of holding a stalled leg.

## Common entries

- **Hand fight:** Create an angle outside the opponent's lead arm.
- **Wrestle-up:** Rise from guard while keeping the near leg connected.
- **Arm drag:** Expose the near hip and drop to the leg as the opponent squares.


## Productive next actions

- **Run the pipe:** Turn the captured knee while removing the opponent's standing base.
- **Double leg:** Collect the far leg when the opponent squares and lowers their hips.
- **Back control:** Climb behind the hips when the opponent turns away.


## Defensive priorities

- **Head position:** Put your head above and inside the attacker's head.
- **Whizzer:** Use an overhook and hip pressure to prevent the attacker from climbing.
- **Free the knee:** Turn the captured knee toward open space while hand fighting.

## Rules and safety

Scoring and permitted grips vary by promotion and division. Check the current organizer rules before competing.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## Related techniques

- [Wrestle-Up](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/wrestle-up)
- [Double-Leg Takedown](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/double-leg-takedown)
- [Guillotine Choke](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/guillotine-choke)
- [Back Control](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/back-control)

## Associated athletes

- [Owen Livesey](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/owen-livesey): British Commonwealth Games judo champion turned BJJ black belt, ADCC veteran, Polaris title winner, and Carlson Gracie Hull coach.
- [Jozef Chen](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/jozef-chen): Taiwanese-German B-Team black belt, 2023 ADCC European Trials champion, and founder of Nomadic Grappling.
- [Nicky Ryan](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/nicky-ryan): ADCC veteran and B-Team co-founder; once the youngest athlete ever to compete at the ADCC World Championships.
- [Andrew Tackett](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/andrew-tackett): Inaugural and defending UFC BJJ Welterweight Champion, ADCC Trials winner, and Fight Factory no-gi star known as Pirulito.

## Sources

- [United World Wrestling — grappling disciplines](https://cms.uww.org/disciplines) — reference
- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-takedown and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*