Double Leg Takedown: The Complete BJJ Guide

Double Leg Takedown: The Complete BJJ Guide

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by wrestling coaches and competitive black belts specializing in takedown systems and standing game | Last Updated: January 14, 2026

The double leg takedown is grappling’s most fundamental wrestling attack—a powerful shoot where you change levels, penetrate forward with explosive footwork, wrap both of your opponent’s legs, and drive them to the mat while maintaining top position. What makes mastering the double leg essential for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is reality: matches start standing, and without effective takedown skills, you’re forced to pull guard or accept bottom position against opponents who can wrestle.​​

According to Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs, the double leg takedown has five critical steps: pose (off-balancing pull), club (heavy hands), circle (squaring opponent’s stance), penetration step (explosive level change), and finish (driving through). Refined and perfected over a decade, this technique has made Burroughs one of the most dominant wrestlers in history, with six World and Olympic championships built on this single foundational movement.​

Eduardo Rocha emphasizes importance: The double leg takedown is one of the most common takedowns used in MMA, and is essential for all jiu jitsu beginners. Learning the double leg takedown is one of the BJJ blue belt requirements, making it a fundamental skill every practitioner must develop.​

After coaching hundreds of students through takedown development, I’ve found that the double leg separates confident standing grapplers from those who fear starting matches on their feet—because once you can reliably take opponents down, you control when and how the ground fight begins.

Whether you’re a white belt learning basic wrestling fundamentals or a purple belt refining competition-level blast doubles, mastering the double leg takedown gives you the standing game foundation that makes your entire BJJ more complete.

What Is the Double Leg Takedown?

The double leg takedown is a wrestling-based attack where you shoot forward with a penetration step, change levels to get low, wrap both arms around your opponent’s legs (typically behind the knees), and drive them backward or trip them to the mat while you land in top position.​​

Core Double Leg Principles:

• Change levels (lower your hips)
• Penetration step (explosive forward movement)
• Head placement (beside opponent, NOT down)
• Wrap both legs (hands behind knees)
• Drive through opponent
• Land in top position
• Wrestling fundamental
• Works gi and no-gi
• Blue belt requirement
• High-percentage takedown
• Offense from standing

Lachlan Giles describes: The double leg takedown is one of the most effective ways to take another human being to the ground. This technique is applicable to both grappling and self-defense scenarios.​

Understanding guillotine choke defense becomes critical because failed double legs often result in guillotine attempts—making proper head placement essential.

The Jordan Burroughs Five-Step System

Jordan Burroughs breaks down his legendary double leg into five systematic steps that create the setup, entry, and finish.​

Step 1: The Pose (Off-Balance Pull)

Burroughs teaches: That’s going to knock him off balance just to get him thinking ‘man that was uncomfortable, let me re-engage’.​

Pose Mechanics:

• Collar tie position (hand behind neck)
• Pull opponent forward
• Disrupts their balance
• Makes them uncomfortable
• Forces re-engagement
• Sets up next step

Purpose: Create mental and physical disruption before attacking.

Step 2: The Club (Heavy Hands)

Burroughs explains: I’m going to utilize step two which is our club, using heavy hands to keep this guy uncomfortable and out of position.​

Club Mechanics:

• Use lead hand heavily
• Press down on opponent
• Control their posture
• Keep them bent forward
• Maintain pressure
• Prevent good stance

Purpose: Keep opponent uncomfortable and unable to establish defensive posture.

Step 3: The Circle (Square Their Stance)

Burroughs teaches strategy: If I’m wrestling a guy with a staggered stance it’s gonna be really difficult for me to hit a double leg, so in order to square them up I circle.​

Circle Mechanics:

• Lateral movement
• Force them to follow
• Square up their feet
• Feet closer together = vulnerable
• Remove staggered stance
• Creates shooting opportunity

Purpose: Staggered stance defends double legs; squared stance makes them vulnerable.

Step 4: The Level Change and Penetration Step

Burroughs describes entry: Look at my positioning—I’m low, I got my left foot as my pivot where I’m getting all my explosiveness and my power, this guy’s high, he’s out of position.​

Penetration Step Mechanics:

• Drop level explosively
• Lead foot steps DEEP between opponent’s legs
• Back foot follows (“fish tail”)
• Explosive from back leg
• Get HIGH on opponent’s hips
• Chest stays UP

Wrestling coach breaks down: Power step, lunge step, level change (break the egg), knee over toe, alignment, kickstand, fish tail.​

Step 5: The Finish (Drive Through)

Burroughs completes technique: Good positioning—number one pose, number two heavy club, number three circle, number four penetration, number five finish.​

Finish Mechanics:

• Lock hands behind knees
• Head drives across body
• Legs step up to drive
• Push them to the side
• Drive through completely
• Land in top position

The Basic Double Leg (Step-by-Step)

Eduardo Rocha teaches fundamentals:​

Starting Position

Staggered Stance:

• One leg forward
• Lead hand: collar tie (behind opponent’s neck)
• Other hand: tricep control
• Wrestling stance
• Bent at hips
• Head up

Step 1: Change Levels

WikiHow describes: While you are taking the penetration step, lower your level to give yourself more balance and make the shot harder to counter.​

Level Change:

• Drop your hips explosively
• Lower center of gravity
• Bend knees deeply
• Keeps balance
• Makes shot harder to block
• Critical for success

Distance Consideration:

• Some wrestlers shoot from farther away
• Others need to be closer
• Practice to find YOUR distance
• Depends on strength and speed

Step 2: Penetration Step

Eduardo Rocha teaches: Step with your lead leg forward (penetration step) while your rear leg follows through to cover the distance, landing outside and over the opponent’s leg.​

Penetration Mechanics:

• Lead foot steps DEEP
• Between or outside opponent’s legs
• Rear leg “fish tails” forward
• Covers distance explosively
• Back foot provides power
• Land outside opponent’s leg

WikiHow emphasizes: Take a penetration step with your lead foot and place your knee in between their legs.​

Step 3: Wrap the Legs

Hand Placement:

• Place hands behind opponent’s knees
• Or grab hamstrings
• Lock hands together
• Secure grip
• Control their legs

Eduardo Rocha warns: Keep your posture up and head high. Where the head goes, the body follows—keeping your head UP prevents guillotine chokes.​

Step 4: Drive and Finish

WikiHow describes finish: Your step to get up to your foot should be almost like another shoot, or a hop, powering through your opponent’s body and throwing them off their gravity.​

Driving Mechanics:

• Head drives ACROSS their body
• Push them to the side
• Legs step up while driving
• Continuous forward pressure
• Steal their balance
• Take them down

Eduardo Rocha adds detail: Drag the opponent to the side while your head pushes them toward the direction.​

Double Leg Variations

High Double (No Knee Drop)

Chewy Jiujitsu teaches safe variation: This takedown is relatively safe as it doesn’t require you to drop to your knee. Many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners worry about dropping to their knee, fearing they’ll get sprawled on and smashed.​

High Double Mechanics:

• NO knee touches mat
• Stay on feet
• Penetration step only
• Safer for BJJ practitioners
• Less exposure to sprawl
• Front headlock setup

Why It Works for BJJ: Reduces guillotine vulnerability and feels safer for grapplers not used to wrestling movements.​

Double Leg with Ankle Trip

Evolve MMA teaches: Starting from the staggered wrestling stance, change levels and step with your rear leg forward outside, then apply the inside ankle trip.​

Ankle Trip Mechanics:

• Standard penetration step
• Grab behind knees
• Lead leg steps ahead
• Hook opponent’s ankle from inside
• Trip while driving forward
• Opponent falls backward

Double Leg to Back Control

Evolve MMA describes: From the stand up, drop your lead knee to the mat and shoot for the double leg, then apply the body lock on the opponent’s waist and spin behind the opponent.​

Back Take Mechanics:

• Drop lead knee to mat
• Head beside opponent’s stomach
• Grab near hamstrings
• Apply body lock on waist
• Stand up
• Spin to back control

Critical Detail: Head stays beside stomach (not down) to prevent guillotine.​

Defending Against the Double Leg

Sprawl Defense

Primary Defense:

• Hips drive BACK explosively
• Chest drives DOWN on opponent
• Legs shoot backward
• Flatten opponent
• Whizzer (overhook) their arm
• Front headlock position

Guillotine Counter

When opponent shoots with poor head position (head down), guillotine choke becomes available—making this the most common counter to failed double legs.

Stance and Distance

Preventative Defense:

• Maintain staggered stance
• Keep distance managed
• Hand fight constantly
• Don’t let them get collar tie
• Circle opposite their lead leg
• Recognize level change early

Common Double Leg Mistakes

Mistake #1: Head Down (Guillotine Exposure)

Evolve MMA warns: Where the head goes, the body follows—keeping your head up prevents you from getting guillotined.​

Problem:

• Looking at mat
• Head drops down
• Easy guillotine
• Failed takedown

Fix:

• Eyes up
• Head ACROSS their body
• Head beside their stomach
• Never looking down

Mistake #2: Shallow Penetration Step

Problem:

• Not stepping deep enough
• Easy to sprawl on
• Can’t reach their legs
• No power

Fix:

• Lead foot steps DEEP
• Between or outside their legs
• Get high on their hips
• Explosive from back leg

Mistake #3: No Level Change

Problem:

• Shooting from standing height
• Easy to defend
• Can’t get under their hips
• Weak position

Fix:

• Drop level FIRST
• Get low before shooting
• Explosive level change
• “Break the egg” concept

Mistake #4: Not Driving Through

Problem:

• Grabbing legs and stopping
• Opponent recovers
• No forward pressure
• Incomplete technique

Fix:

• Continuous drive
• Push through opponent
• Legs keep stepping
• Don’t stop until they’re down

Training the Double Leg

Solo Drilling (Shadow Wrestling)

Practice Without Partner:

• Stance movement
• Level changes
• Penetration steps
• Footwork patterns
• 50 reps daily
• Build muscle memory

Partner Drilling

Progressive Resistance:

Week 1-2: Cooperative (0% Resistance)

• Partner stands still
• Practice full technique
• Focus on mechanics
• Slow and controlled

Week 3-4: Light Resistance (25%)

• Partner sprawls lightly
• Practice adjustments
• Build timing
• Moderate speed

Week 5-6: Moderate Resistance (50%)

• Partner defends realistically
• Practice setups
• Jordan Burroughs steps
• Competition speed

Week 7+: Live Takedown Sparring

• Full resistance
• Start standing
• Takedowns only
• 3-5 minute rounds

Conditioning

Double Leg Specific:

• Level change drills (100 reps)
• Penetration step explosiveness
• Leg power development
• Cardio for wrestling
• Explosive movements

Double Leg in Gi vs. No-Gi

Gi Considerations

Advantages:

• Grips available (collar tie)
• Can control sleeves
• Slower pace
• More setup time

Disadvantages:

• Opponent has grips on you
• Can grab pants to defend
• Friction slows movement
• Different finish needed

No-Gi Considerations

Advantages:

• Faster shots
• Less friction
• Pure wrestling
• Easier penetration

Disadvantages:

• Harder to control
• Sweat makes gripping difficult
• Need tighter technique
• More athletic

The Double Leg Takedown Legacy

From Jordan Burroughs’ Olympic dominance to Marcelo Garcia’s BJJ competition success and countless MMA fighters’ wrestling-based victories, the double leg takedown represents grappling’s most fundamental standing attack. What makes mastering the double leg essential for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is completeness—without effective takedowns, you’re forced to pull guard or accept bottom position, limiting your game to 50% of its potential.

Eduardo Rocha emphasizes: The double leg takedown is one of the most common takedowns used in MMA, and is essential for all jiu jitsu beginners. It’s a blue belt requirement because it represents the minimum standing game competency every BJJ practitioner needs.​

The double leg proves a fundamental grappling truth: matches start standing. While pure guard players can succeed, complete grapplers who can take opponents down at will control when, where, and how the ground fight begins—giving them strategic advantages that guard pullers never possess.

Whether you’re learning basic penetration steps or refining Jordan Burroughs’ five-step blast double system, mastering the double leg takedown gives you the standing game foundation that makes your entire BJJ more complete and competitive.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Jordan Burroughs Olympic methodology, Eduardo Rocha BJJ teaching, wrestling coaching principles, and contemporary takedown instruction. Mechanics reviewed by wrestling coaches and competitive black belts emphasizing safe BJJ application and guillotine prevention. Training progressions based on proven wrestling development adapted for BJJ academies.

Sources Referenced:

• Jordan Burroughs (Olympic champion five-step system)
• Eduardo Rocha (BJJ blue belt requirements)
• Lachlan Giles (fundamental mechanics)
• Chewy Jiujitsu (safe BJJ variations)
• Wrestling coaching (penetration step breakdown)
• WikiHow (step-by-step fundamentals)

Last Updated: January 14, 2026