How to Dismantle Giants
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DOWNLOAD THE FREE MINI COURSE1. The Snatch Single
If I had to choose one single takedown for you to rely on for the rest of your life, it would without a doubt be the snatch single leg.
Imagine a takedown which works equally well against smaller, same-size, and larger opponents. Much larger opponents. You never have to go down to a knee to hit it so it can be performed on a mat, sidewalk, grass, or literally any surface.
Enter the snatch single leg.
A takedown so versatile and useful it's the one takedown I demand nearly every student master to at least a level of basic competency. The only downside is it's less accessible meaning it takes a little longer to learn than other takedowns, but let me tell you now the juice is worth the squeeze.
Those who have the discipline to add the snatch single to their tool belt gain a massive advantage over their peers.
2. The Russian 2-on-1
When it comes to being offensive against larger opponents, after the snatch single, the technique I point my students to is almost always the Russian 2-on-1.
When dealing with size disparities it becomes imperative to focus on putting yourself in a position where you can maximize leverage. Developed by the Soviets in the 80s, the 2-on-1 is a hand-fighting (or "grip-fighting") based takedown technique which creates a dynamic where both of your arms work in unison to isolate and attack just one of your opponents arms (from a Jiu Jitsu perspective, one could think of it as the takedown version of the arm bar).
Just like the snatch single, the magic of the 2-on-1 relies on isolating an opponents appendage. Unlike the snatch single, the 2-on-1 is best designed for grappling scenarios. It definitely is fit for certain self defense scenarios; we actually have policemen at our gym who are trained to use the 2-on-1 to control civil disputes which turn physical, but in general it's best suited for sport grappling situations.
You be the judge. Study the attached video and decide for yourself if you think this wrestling-based takedown set up has a place on the street or strictly the mat.
PS - my personal opinion is your skill level with the 2-on-1 determines if it's a viable option for self-defense. If you're hitting it on large partners on the mat consistently then you can probably rely on it off the mats too.
3. The Boot Scoot
My personal favorite takedown and by far the easiest way to takedown anyone of any size - especially a larger opponent.
In wrestling we call it the "Boot Scoot" and it's by far the easiest way to takedown a larger opponent. It has a Houdini like quality as it's so quick and effortless it can come across as a magic move; one second you're in front of your opponent and the next you're behind them taking their back. One of my all-time favorite moves.
The Boot-Scoot is not generally good for MMA or self defense scenario's, but incredibly effective in a wrestling, BJJ, or grappling competition environment.
It's a slick and sneaky takedown which offers a massive positional advantage with very little energy investment. Add the Boot Scoot to your takedown arsenal and pepper it into your game today.
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