The high single

When you penetrate in and capture your opponent’s lead leg with the high single, there are many different ways to complete the take down. If your opponent has exceptional take down defence, you can use four different types of the following finishes:

Running the pipe or hiking the football

You essentially hike your opponent leg between your legs and then put pressure on it. If your opponent has exceptional balance, he’s going to hop on one leg and move around the corner as you are running the pipe. A good option is to transition to the double-leg flare.

The instant your opponent hinders you from running the pipe by hopping around one one leg , try to step your rear leg further back – this will create a pathway for you to rip his captured leg out from between your legs and explode through him for a double leg take down.

If your opponent blocks your take down attempt by manoeuvring his trapped leg and hooking it to the outside of your near leg,try to pop his knee out of the way and explode though him for a double leg take down.

You can also use the foot sweep technique to finish the high single. Slide the crook of your elbow around the back of his captured leg, pull your leg into your armpits, and then foot sweep him to the mat. Do not use your far foot for foots sweep, step you near leg forward and sweep your opponent .

There is another foot sweep variation you can execute it from the high single take down. Use this technique when your opponent keeps his trapped leg between your legs and uses it to maintain his balance. To set up the sweep, trap your opponent’s foot between your knees and then step your rear leg around his foot. This will position your opponent’s leg across your body – allowing you to choke is leg up in your armpit. Hook you the crook of your arm around the back of your opponent’s knee and then thrust your hips into his leg to create a shelf for his foot to rest upon. Hook your free hand around the back of his back of his neck and pull him over your leg.

Defending the single leg take down

If you have a poor single leg take down defence, there is a good chance that you will get taken down again and again. With a good single leg take down defence you will be able to avoid the take down and use the positioning to your advantage. You must develop exceptional balance and hand control to be able to stay on your feet.