The Elevator Takedown by Adam Wheeler
If getting one underhook on your opponent is considered good, then getting double underhooks must be fantastic. Consider this: you’ve gotten full inside control on your opponent and have negated their ability to effectively use their head, hands, and forearms to defend the attack. This is a very advantageous position, but how do you finish from here?
While some people may finish with a simple bear hug and backtrip, you may want something that has a little more emphasis for your takedown. You want something that’s not only effective, but “out of the box.” In the video below, Olympic bronze medal winner Adam Wheeler takes you through the elevator takedown off of the double underhook position.
Getting the Double Underhook
Before discussing how to hit the elevator takedown, it’s important to know how to get into the double underhook position. After all, your opponent is going to be looking for their own upper body set-ups, especially if it is a Greco-Roman match. One way of accomplishing this is to work a collar tie on the opponent and bait them into doing the same, which opens up one side for an underhook. From there, you can pressure their head away to work an angle. This will cause them to square up their stance and allowing you to slip in the underhook on the opposite side. Once you are in position, lock your hands (preferably the Gable grip) and maintain a high posture.
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Working the Takedown
The elevator takedown has a lot of moving parts in order to make it work. As Wheeler demonstrates, you will take a step through your opponent’s legs and lower your level, though not to the extent of it being a shot. While he does this, he brings his hands from his partner’s upper back to their lower back. In addition, he’s also turning his lock to one side of the body. This is important because it reduces the surface area he needs to cover, going from a high surface area from the lats down to the lower back and off to the hips. He does this all in one motion.
The Finish
Wheeler makes a brief mention to a corkscrew finish, which is good if you have your opponent off-balance or catch them by surprise with the double underhooks. However, the focus in the video is on the elevator finish. To do this, Wheeler clinches the hold tight, elevates the leg he placed in the middle, and brings his partner down to the opposite side. Elevating the leg here helps to bring your opponent off the mat and gives you a proper rotation needed to finish by your stationary leg. When you finish, you will more than likely land with one leg between your opponent’s legs. You can turk the leg if you are in wrestling or work to pass their half-guard if you are in jiu-jitsu. Regardless of the next move, the objective is to use the double underhooks to lift and rotate rather than allow your opponent to pummel back through.
Establishing the underhooks can be a game-changing moment for you if you know how to use them efficiently. Adam Wheeler’s elevator takedown proves that the double underhook set-up is deadly if you establish a good lock, provide proper elevation, and use new angles purposefully. Don’t settle for a back-and-forth pummeling match, work your underhooks to their maximum effect.
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