BJJ Takedowns: 8 Throws and Takedowns to Learn First

Quick answer: the BJJ takedowns most worth learning first are the body lock, the high-crotch single leg, the double leg, the ankle pick, the foot sweep, the arm drag to the back, uchi mata and sumi gaeshi. Between them they cover wrestling-style shots, judo-style throws and trips, and a sacrifice throw, and most of them work with or without the gi. Start with the low-risk options (body lock, foot sweep, ankle pick), learn to fall safely, and add the higher-risk throws once your timing improves.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is famous for what happens on the ground, but every roll, every competition match and every real-world scuffle starts on the feet. This guide walks through eight dependable takedowns, explains when each one fits, flags the mistakes that get people guillotined or swept, and covers how takedowns score in competition.

Contents

• Why takedowns matter in BJJ
• Stance and grips before you shoot
• Eight BJJ takedowns to learn first
• Takedown comparison table
• How takedowns score and what is illegal
• Judo or wrestling for BJJ?
• How to train takedowns safely
• BJJ takedowns FAQ

Why takedowns matter in BJJ

Jiu-jitsu's leverage only works if you can get the exchange to the ground on your terms. Without takedowns you rely on pulling guard and hoping it lands well. Pulling guard is legal and valid in most competition, but relying on it alone lets opponents wait and start passing.

There are three practical reasons to take your stand-up seriously:

• Competition. Under the most widely used rule sets, a completed takedown scores points, and the athlete who lands on top gets to start working their passing game straight away.
• Self-defence. On concrete, against someone who may have friends nearby, sitting to guard is a poor first choice. Being able to close distance, clinch and finish on top is the safer habit to build.
• MMA and no-gi crossover. Without a gi to grip, wrestling-based entries matter even more.

Takedowns also improve your ground game, because the hip movement and timing carry over to sweeps. If you are still learning the positions you will land in, our guide to mastering the basics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a useful companion to this article.

Stance and grips before you shoot

Techniques below assume a right-side lead (right foot forward, right hand on the same-side collar in the gi). Flip them for the other side.

A few principles apply to every takedown:

• Head up, spine long. Looking at the floor as you shoot is the quickest way to give away a front headlock or guillotine.
• Hips under you. Most failed takedowns happen because the attacker reaches with their arms while their hips stay far away.
• Win the inside. Whether that means inside hand position in no-gi or a dominant collar grip in the gi, having your arms inside your partner's makes it harder for them to frame and push you off.
• Move them first. Static shots against a planted opponent rarely work.

Grip terms below include the collar tie (hand behind the neck), inside tie (hand inside the biceps), underhooks and the judo ai-yotsu grip (sleeve and collar on matching sides). If these are new, our list of BJJ terms every grappler should know covers the vocabulary.

Eight BJJ takedowns to learn first

The order runs roughly from safest to the techniques needing more timing. Two or three that link together beat eight you half know.

1. Body lock

The body lock is many coaches' favourite first takedown for jiu-jitsu players. It comes straight out of a clinch, needs little athleticism and keeps you chest to chest, so there are few counters available to your partner.

When to use it: after you win a pummelling exchange and get both arms under theirs, or when someone steps in close to grip fight.

1. Secure double underhooks and lock your hands behind their lower back.
2. Drop your level slightly and press your head into the centre of their chest or under their chin.
3. Pull their hips tight into yours. Done properly, their upper body is bent backwards over your arms.
4. Finish by stepping your knee into the side of theirs to buckle it, or by hooking a leg with an outside or inside trip.

Gi and no-gi: identical; in the gi, the belt grip stops them squaring up.

Watch out for: finishing with a trip can drop you into half guard. A knee-buckle finish usually leaves you in a better passing position, and you can also walk behind for a back take if they turn.

2. High-crotch single leg

If you only learn one shot, this is the one most coaches would choose. It teaches distance and level changes, and finishing it builds the same hip movement you will use in many sweeps.

When to use it: from an inside tie or collar grip when your partner's lead leg is within reach.

1. Lift their lead arm with your inside hand to clear a path and take a short step in with your lead foot.
2. Lower your level by bending your knees, not your waist, and drive in with your head up.
3. Wrap your arm high on their lead thigh. Your head ends up against their hip and ribs.
4. Step your back foot up beside their standing leg, bring your hips in and secure the leg with both arms.
5. Finish by blocking their far knee with your hand as you drive forward, or by turning the corner and running them in a circle.

Gi and no-gi: in the gi, a collar grip with your elbow inside their arm stops them stiff-arming you as you shoot.

Watch out for: a rounded back and lowered eyes invite a guillotine. If you keep your posture and they do not turn away, you usually finish in a strong side position.

3. Double leg

The double leg is a staple of wrestling and MMA. It works like the single leg but needs a deeper penetration step, and it is more explosive.

When to use it: when your partner is upright with their feet roughly level, or as a counter when they step in to grip.

1. Use your grips or hand fighting to clear their arms so they cannot block your path.
2. Drop your level and take a deep step between their feet with your lead leg.
3. Wrap both arms behind their knees as your rear foot comes up and outside their leg.
4. Drive through at an angle, like cutting a corner, rather than straight into them.

Gi and no-gi: it can be shot from a collar tie, an inside tie or open distance. The further away you start, the more chance they have to sprawl.

Watch out for: landing inside closed guard. Try to angle off to one side as you finish so you come down in side control. If you end up in half guard, pinch their knees together and sprawl back to pass.

4. Ankle pick

The ankle pick takes very little energy and leaves almost no chance of being sprawled on, which makes it ideal for smaller or less athletic grapplers.

When to use it: when your partner stiff-arms you with a collar grip, or after you make them step forward and load their weight on their heels.

1. Holding collar and sleeve, take a couple of quick steps backwards so they follow.
2. As they settle their weight back onto their hips, drop your level.
3. Keep the collar grip and reach down with your free hand to cup the heel of their lead foot.
4. Push their chest back with your collar hand while pulling the ankle up and towards you.
5. Start passing the moment they land. A leg drag or an x-pass works well.

Gi and no-gi: without a gi, use a collar tie and pull their head down to make them post back on their hips.

Watch out for: reaching while they are still driving forward. The pick only works once their weight has stopped moving towards you. You can also disguise it as a guard pull.

5. Foot sweep (de-ashi-barai)

Borrowed from judo, the foot sweep relies on timing rather than strength. When it lands it can drop your partner past their own legs, putting you straight into a passing position.

When to use it: from an ai-yotsu grip, a collar tie or an inside tie while you are moving your partner around the mat.

1. Grip sleeve and collar, then move your partner sideways with a few steps to read their rhythm.
2. Wait for the instant their weight comes off the foot nearest your sweeping leg as they step.
3. Sweep that foot at the ankle with the sole of your foot, travelling in the direction it is already moving.
4. Pull with your hands in the same direction and follow through, even if they already look off balance.

Gi and no-gi: it works in both. In no-gi, set it up from the collar tie or pummel.

Watch out for: sweeping a foot that is planted. You will only kick your partner. Drill the timing with a cooperative partner before trying it live.

6. Arm drag to the back

If you already use the arm drag from guard, this standing version will feel familiar. Instead of finishing with a throw you finish behind your partner and bring them down before you insert hooks.

When to use it: from a regular stance, especially after breaking a collar grip.

1. Strip their collar grip and control their wrist or sleeve with your opposite hand.
2. Grab their triceps with your other hand and drag the arm across your body.
3. In the same movement, step your outside foot behind them and grab around their far hip.
4. Lock your hands around their waist.
5. Bump the back of their knee with yours to buckle it and lower them to the mat, or lift slightly and sweep the knee.
6. Once they are down, insert your hooks and settle into back control.

Gi and no-gi: identical in both. From the drag you can also switch to a single leg, double leg or inside trip.

Watch out for: jumping onto the back of a standing opponent. Taking them down first gives them far less space to escape.

7. Uchi mata (inner thigh throw)

Uchi mata is one of the most common throws in judo and fits jiu-jitsu well, because BJJ players often stand bent forward. That posture, which makes double legs harder, makes uchi mata easier.

When to use it: when your partner is bent at the waist and leaning towards you.

1. Pull collar and sleeve directly towards you and step your lead foot to the inside of their opposite foot.
2. Keep the elbow of your collar hand pointed down to frame on their chest, which blocks their single leg counter.
3. Bring your back foot beside your lead foot and drop under their hips.
4. Kick your lead leg up between their thighs, lifting their inner thigh while you keep pulling with both hands.
5. If they hop on one leg, stay balanced on your standing leg and keep rotating until they go over.

Gi and no-gi: in no-gi, replace the collar grip with a whizzer (overhook) on their arm.

Watch out for: poor timing exposes your back for a moment. After the throw you may land in half guard or have them sit up, so use your collar grip to frame and keep them flat.

8. Sumi gaeshi (corner reversal)

Sumi gaeshi is a sacrifice throw. You deliberately fall to your back to generate momentum and roll your partner over the top. It suits jiu-jitsu players because, if it fails, you are already sitting in guard.

When to use it: when your partner's posture is broken and they are leaning heavily into you.

1. Pull down on the collar to break their posture.
2. Reach over their back and grip the belt or the back of the jacket palm down.
3. Step your foot between their feet and sit down close to your heel, getting your hips under theirs.
4. Hook your other shin inside their thigh or behind their knee.
5. Roll backwards, pull them over you and lift with the hooking leg, then follow them over to land on top in side control or mount.

Gi and no-gi: in no-gi a front headlock or guillotine-style grip keeps their posture broken.

Watch out for: how the referee reads the exchange. If your throw fails from a neutral position you are simply in guard, but if you use it to counter their single leg and they finish on top, it may be scored as their takedown.

Takedown comparison table

Takedown	Gi / no-gi	Risk if it fails	Usual landing position	Best for
Body lock	Both	Low	Half guard or passing position	Beginners, clinch fighters
High-crotch single leg	Both	Medium (guillotine)	Side position	Learning distance and level change
Double leg	Both	Medium (sprawl, guillotine)	Side control or half guard	Explosive athletes, no-gi
Ankle pick	Both	Low	Open guard, ready to pass	Smaller grapplers
Foot sweep	Both	Low	Passing position	Good timing, gi players
Arm drag to back	Both	Low to medium	Back control	Guard players who already drag
Uchi mata	Both (best in gi)	Medium (back exposure)	Side control or half guard	Opponents who bend forward
Sumi gaeshi	Both (best in gi)	Low (you land in guard)	Side control or mount	Guard players, broken-posture moments

How takedowns score and what is illegal

Under International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) rules, a takedown scores two points when the attacker brings the opponent down and then stabilises a top position for three seconds. If the position is not held long enough, the referee may award an advantage instead. Our full guide to the BJJ points system explains how takedowns sit alongside sweeps, passes and mounts, and how advantages and penalties decide close matches.

A few safety rules come up regularly with takedowns:

• Slamming an opponent to the mat is illegal in IBJJF competition and most other rule sets.
• The scissor takedown (kani basami) is banned under IBJJF rules because of the risk to the knee.
• Some techniques are restricted by age or belt. Jumping guard onto a standing opponent and certain throws that spike the head are treated very strictly, and kids' and lower-belt divisions have extra limits.

Rules change and every promotion runs its own version, so check the current IBJJF rule book or your event's rules before you compete.

Judo or wrestling for BJJ?

Most of the takedowns above come from judo or wrestling, and cross-training in either will sharpen your stand-up. They solve the same problem in different ways.

	Judo	Wrestling (freestyle)
Uniform	Gi (judogi)	Singlet, no gi
Main control	Collar, sleeve and belt grips	Underhooks, overhooks, ties
Typical stance	Upright	Low, hips back
Leg attacks	Heavily restricted under international rules	Central to the style
Ground work	Pins, chokes and armlocks, limited time	Pins and turns, no submissions
Best carry-over	Gi BJJ, throws, grip fighting	No-gi BJJ, MMA, scrambles

Gi players usually find judo more natural; no-gi and MMA players tend to get more from wrestling. Ideally, borrow from both. Grips change everything about stand-up, so our guide to gi vs no-gi BJJ is worth reading if you are deciding where to focus.

How to train takedowns safely

Takedowns cause many training injuries, usually because people go full speed before they can fall well. A few habits help:

• Learn to break-fall first. Back falls, side falls and forward rolls (ukemi) protect your head, shoulders and wrists. Spend a few minutes on them before every stand-up session.
• Drill in stages. Start with the entry only, then entry and finish with a compliant partner, then add resistance, then try it in live stand-up rounds.
• Give yourself room. Keep clear of walls and other pairs.
• Control your partner on the way down. A good takedown finishes with you in a controlled top position, not with your partner bouncing off the mat.
• Tap and talk. Guillotines and awkward landings happen fast. Tap early.

A simple plan: pick one primary takedown and one backup for a month, drill each for five to ten minutes a session, finish with a short round of live stand-up, then keep what landed and swap out what did not.

Once your takedowns put you on top, the next job is finishing. Our list of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submissions covers the chokes and joint locks that most often follow a good takedown. And if your academy is building a competition team, matching custom academy gis and uniforms help your squad look organised in the bullpen and on the podium.

BJJ takedowns FAQ

What is the best takedown for BJJ beginners?

The body lock is a strong first choice because it comes straight from the clinch, needs little athleticism and leaves few counters. The high-crotch single leg is the other common starting point, as it teaches distance, level changes and hip movement that carry over to sweeps.

Do BJJ takedowns work in both gi and no-gi?

Most do. The body lock, single leg, double leg, ankle pick, foot sweep and arm drag work in both. Throws such as uchi mata and sumi gaeshi are easier in the gi because you can grip the collar, sleeve and belt, but they have no-gi versions using overhooks and head control.

How many points is a takedown worth in BJJ?

Under IBJJF rules a takedown is worth 2 points, provided the attacker holds a top position for three seconds after the opponent lands. If the position is not held long enough, the referee may award an advantage instead.

Is it better to learn judo or wrestling for BJJ?

Judo suits gi players because its grip fighting and throws translate directly, while wrestling suits no-gi and MMA because of its shots, sprawls and scrambles. Both help, and many grapplers borrow techniques from each.

Is it okay to pull guard instead of doing takedowns?

Pulling guard is legal in most BJJ competition and is a valid strategy. The risk is relying on it completely, so it is worth having at least one reliable takedown and knowing basic takedown defence as well.