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The high crotch takedown is a powerful wrestling technique commonly used in MMA to gain control over your opponent. By targeting the area around the crotch, you can leverage your body weight and strength to lift and off-balance your opponent, making it easier to execute a successful takedown.


  1. Setup
    • Striking Setup: Use punches or kicks to create an opening or force your opponent to shift their weight, exposing their hips and legs.
    • Level Change: Drop your hips and lower your center of gravity to get in position.
    • Entry: Step deep into your opponent’s stance while lowering your level and positioning your body close to their hip.
  2. Attack the Crotch
    • Arm Positioning: Reach with your lead hand (usually the right hand for an orthodox fighter) to grab the area near the opponent’s crotch, above the knee but below the waist.
    • Head Position: Place your head inside their hip, keeping it tight to avoid any counter attacks. Your head should be in front of their body, driving forward.
  3. Lift and Drive
    • Lift the Leg: Use the grip to lift and drive the opponent’s leg towards your chest. You want to load the leg by elevating it and stepping forward.
    • Drive Forward: Push forward while keeping your posture strong. Use your legs and core muscles to drive through their body while keeping their weight off balance.
  4. Finish the Takedown
    • Sweep or Drop: Once you have elevated their leg and driven them off-balance, you can either sweep their standing leg or circle to the side, bringing them down.
    • Pinning: After the takedown, ensure you transition into a dominant position, like side control or a dominant top position to control the opponent.

  1. Sprawl Defense
    • Drop Hips: When your opponent lowers their level for the takedown, immediately drop your hips and sprawl backward. This will make it harder for them to lift your leg.
    • Crossface: Use your forearm to crossface their face or neck to create space and push their head away.
    • Legs Back: Keep your legs back to prevent them from locking onto your leg for control.
  2. Limp Leg Defense
    • Rotate the Knee: If they’ve grabbed your leg, rotate your knee outward and try to slip your leg free.
    • Hop and Shake: Lift your foot off the ground while twisting your leg to shake them off.
    • Create Distance: After you’ve freed your leg, use your free leg to push them away or step out of their reach.
  3. Frame and Strike Defense
    • Frame with Hands: Place your hands on their shoulders or head to create a frame and prevent them from getting too close.
    • Punch or Elbow: Use your free hand to strike with punches or elbows while maintaining the frame. This will force them to either retreat or abandon the takedown attempt.

If your opponent defends your high crotch takedown attempt or counters it, here’s how to adjust:

  1. Sprawl Counter
    • If they sprawl on your takedown attempt:
      • Angle Change: As they sprawl, circle around and re-attack with a double-leg or go for a high-crotch again from another angle.
      • Pressure: Continue pushing into them while adjusting your angle to avoid them recovering and circling away.
  2. Limp Leg Counter
    • If they limp leg and escape your grip:
      • Quick Transition: Immediately transition to a double-leg or high-crotch on the opposite side, securing their other leg.
      • Pressure Forward: Follow them, applying pressure to regain control and work for another takedown.
  3. Frame and Strike Counter
    • If they create a frame and strike:
      • Close the Distance: Keep your head tight to their body, and re-grip their leg if they’re trying to push you away.
      • Reattempt the Takedown: If the frame is not strong enough, immediately reattempt the high crotch, focusing on lifting and driving.

  • Level Change: The high crotch takedown relies heavily on lowering your level to enter and secure the leg properly.
  • Control the Leg: A strong grip and control of the opponent’s leg are critical for elevating and taking them down efficiently.
  • Pressure and Drive: Use forward pressure to drive your opponent off balance while maintaining your head positioning inside their hip.
  • Quick Transitions: If your first attempt fails, immediately transition to another takedown or defensive move to maintain control of the situation.

  • Weak Grip: If your grip on the opponent’s leg is not secure, they can easily slip away or defend.
  • Poor Head Positioning: If your head is not tight to their body, they can sprawl or counter by pushing you off balance.
  • Overcommitting: Overcommitting to the high crotch can leave you exposed to strikes or submissions if not executed correctly.
  • Not Following Through: After lifting, not driving or finishing the takedown properly can give your opponent a chance to regain their balance.

The high crotch takedown is a powerful tool in MMA when executed properly, but it requires proper grip, posture, and pressure. When defending it, reacting quickly with sprawling or limb management can prevent the takedown attempt. With solid counter-defense and the ability to adapt, fighters can neutralize high crotch takedowns effectively.