1. Objective and Purpose
The outside leg trip is a takedown technique used in MMA to off-balance your opponent by sweeping their leg outward, usually from a standing clinch or while engaging in close-range exchanges. This takedown is particularly effective when your opponent’s weight is over-extended or when you have control over their upper body, allowing you to manipulate their balance and set up the trip.
2. Steps for Execution of the Outside Leg Trip
- Setup
- Close the Distance: Similar to the inside leg trip, the first step is to close the distance between you and your opponent. This can be achieved through strikes, feints, or by clinching up with them.
- Secure Control: In the clinch, establish control of your opponent’s head, neck, or body to dominate their posture. This control is necessary to set up the trip and prevent them from recovering balance.
- Break Their Balance: Use a push, pull, or slight force to disrupt their posture and position. This can be achieved by pulling their head down or pushing them backward, setting up an opening for the trip.
- Executing the Outside Leg Trip
- Step and Hook the Leg: From the clinch or close range, step slightly to the side and use your lead leg to sweep across the outside of your opponent’s far leg. Aim for their knee or ankle, positioning your foot just behind theirs.
- Sweep and Off-Balance: As you sweep your leg outward, use your body weight to further destabilize them. Push their upper body away or off-balance them, making it easier for your sweeping leg to take theirs out from under them.
- Complete the Takedown: Once the leg is swept, continue pushing them downward with your body weight, driving them to the ground. This should be done in one continuous motion, ideally landing in a dominant position such as side control or mount.
- Follow Through
- Maintain Top Position: After executing the trip, quickly follow through with a dominant position, securing control on top to prevent your opponent from recovering. Stay close and establish control to avoid any reversal attempts.
3. Defensive Techniques Against the Outside Leg Trip
- Sprawl and Base Defense
- Lower Your Hips: As your opponent attempts the outside leg trip, sprawl your hips back and widen your stance. This will make it more difficult for them to hook your leg.
- Control Upper Body: Keep your hands on their upper body, especially their head or shoulders, to disrupt their balance and prevent them from successfully sweeping your leg.
- Wide Base: Maintaining a wide stance is crucial to defend the outside leg trip. A wide base gives you more stability and makes it harder for them to destabilize you.
- Leg Defense and Pummeling
- Pummel and Reposition: If your opponent attempts the outside leg trip by hooking your leg, pummel your leg and reposition it to stop them from fully sweeping it. Use your footwork to step around their sweep or disengage temporarily.
- Frame to Push Off: If your opponent is attempting to take your leg out, frame your arms or forearms against their body, keeping them away and preventing them from completing the trip. Push their body away to regain balance.
- Use of Hips and Core
- Engage Your Core: When you feel the outside leg trip coming, use your hips to create distance and make it more difficult for them to sweep your leg. Lowering your center of gravity and engaging your core will help you resist the takedown attempt.
- Stay Balanced: Keep your weight centered over your legs and avoid leaning too far forward or backward. A strong base will prevent your opponent from gaining leverage for the sweep.
4. Counter-Defense for the Outside Leg Trip
- Counter with Sprawl or Lateral Movement
- Sprawl Backward: If you feel the outside leg trip coming, sprawl your hips back to take the pressure off your leg and prevent the sweep. This movement can force your opponent to lose their balance and leave them open to a counterattack.
- Move Laterally: Pivot or circle away from the trip attempt. Moving laterally will make it harder for your opponent to reach your leg and complete the takedown.
- Leg Repositioning and Recovery
- Reposition Your Leg: If your opponent manages to hook your leg for the trip, lift and reposition your leg to block their sweep. Quickly recover your stance to prevent them from fully executing the takedown.
- Create Distance: Once you feel the leg being swept, use a frame or push away to regain distance. This creates space for you to recover and avoid the takedown.
- Upper Body Control and Balance
- Maintain Strong Posture: Keep a strong posture and resist their attempts to break your balance. If they’re focusing on the leg, you can use your head, chest, and hands to control their upper body and prevent them from getting enough leverage to complete the trip.
- Push and Move: If they attempt the trip, push off their body with your hands to create distance, and step away from the sweep attempt to recover your balance.
5. Keys to Success
- Timing and Control: Like any takedown, the timing of the outside leg trip is critical. You need to first break your opponent’s balance and posture before attempting the sweep. Upper body control is essential to set up the trip successfully.
- Leg Placement: Proper leg placement is key. The sweeping leg should move across the outside of your opponent’s leg, targeting their knee or ankle to effectively destabilize them and complete the takedown.
- Follow Through and Positioning: Always follow through after the trip and secure a dominant position on top, such as side control, to prevent your opponent from escaping.
6. Common Mistakes
- Lack of Upper Body Control: Without strong control over your opponent’s upper body, it will be difficult to execute the trip successfully. If they can resist the upper body control, they can regain their posture and stop the sweep.
- Incorrect Leg Sweep: If your foot is not properly positioned, the trip may not be effective. Ensure your sweeping leg is placed correctly to sweep their foot or ankle outward.
- Failing to Follow Through: If you don’t commit to the takedown by following through with your body weight, your opponent may be able to stop the sweep and counter with a takedown of their own.
The outside leg trip is a highly effective takedown when executed with precision, timing, and control. Defense against it involves maintaining a strong base, using your hips and core to resist, and re-establishing balance quickly. By mastering this technique and its defense, you’ll add a powerful tool to your MMA skillset.