GB Fundamentals: The Double Leg Takedown

This week on GB Technique we are going to look at one of the most fundamental and effective takedown techniques in all of jiu-jitsu. The double leg takedown.
Far from only a basic technique, you will be interested to know that the double leg takedown is the most successful takedown in the UFC. Even at the highest levels, against professional fighters, the double leg is the King of Takedowns.
Of course, the double leg is a key technique in no-gi jiu-jitsu where the classic judo throws are more difficult to utilize.
And finally, add the self-defense uses (which we will see in our videos today) on to the sports and MMA applications and we have a takedown that is super effective in all modalities of BJJ and rule sets.
Check out GB Online to see more Fundamentals at GB 1
Grab Defense – DEFESA DE EMPURRÃO
My favorite Gracie Barra YouTube channel is with one of the Gracie Barra’s most experienced instructors, Prof, Carlos Liberi.
The original self-defense techniques of jiu-jitsu are timeless and have been proven to work in thousands of situations over decades of real-life tests.
Here, Prof. Liberi shows us how to defend one of the most common street defense scenarios – When a confrontation escalates to the opponent putting their hands on us.
Avoiding the opponent’s grip, Prof. Liberi changes levels and takes the opponent to the ground where they can not cause harm by striking.

Self-Defense Jiu-Jitsu: Jab Slip to Double Leg
The reason most of us started jiu-jitsu was to learn a solid system of self-defense. Jiu-jitsu gained prominence originally not as a sport, but in the world of real fighting.
The essential idea is that the jiu-jitsu fighter avoids being hurt by the opponent’s strikes and takes the fight to the ground where they can control and finish the fight by submission.
This is jiu-jitsu 101 and the double leg works all the way to the professional level.
The GB Fundamentals program will teach you how to deal with an opponent trying to punch you in the head and avoid getting hit and get to the clinch.
Simple and effective!
Sport jiu-jitsu. How to use the double leg in an escape and reversal
This is probably the way that we use the double leg most often in sport jiu-jitsu.
One of the ways jiu-jitsu fighters look to escape from bottom side control is to get an underhook, get to their knees in turtle position.
This is the situation where we can use the double leg (starting from the knees) to prevent the opponent from going to our back and reverse the position until we get the top position.
* Detail: Note how Prof. Flavio uses his head as a form of leverage to unbalance the opponent.
If you have any questions about techniques, please send us a message at GB Online!
Credits: Mark Mullen
Gracie Barra Black belt based in Asia