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The Science of Stopping the Double Leg with Kyle Dake

The Science of Stopping the Double Leg with Kyle Dake

When we hear the term “sprawl”, normally we think of takedown defense. But how much have you delved in to the science of stopping a good takedown? The double leg to be specific. Understanding why and how a double leg works is essential to stopping it from progressing and ending up on your back.

Factors such as level and head positioning are key players int the successful execution of a double leg. So, from the other end we have to consider how these things may be used against us in a wrestling scenario. 

In this video, Kyle Dake gives us an in depth look at what makes a good double leg tick and how to stop it. There were some great light bulb moments here for me and Dake is a phenomenal instructor. He goes pretty deep in to the science behind staving off one of the most popular,  effective takedowns on the planet. Have a look!

Dake gives us four options to consider here. Each option is tailored to a specific instance, or an answer to the progression of the double leg, with the last option being the most drastic measure. Let’s break them down. 

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Option 1 

There are some constants that will remain through tour this instruction. The first is that Dake is always looking to meet his partner with his hips, and the second is to create an angle. As Dake meets the shot with his hips it disrupts the structure of the takedown a bit. After meeting his opponent, Dake creates his angle, and from here his confidence in his defense grows significantly. As her creates the angle his partner still hangs on to his grips at the knees. Dake has created his angle so that his chest is open to the right and this is the hand hell look to remove. He can either pull the hand up, or push it down. It seems Dake prefers to punch the hand down as this creates a scenario where his partner will have to pursue the single, giving Dake the opportunity to square back up and go behind to finish the exchange. 

Option 2

IN the second option Dake’s partner has made it a touch further in to the progression of the takedown, as his trail leg has now been brought up and planted on the mat. Here, Dake begins to lean over his partners head, putting him way out of position to finish. As he leans, he looks to lock the body, threading his arms underneath the legs and securing a lock. Dake then takes small steps in a circular motion toward his partners posted leg causing him to collapse into a cradle position. It’s likely here that as Dake begins to move his opponent will relinquish their grips on the back of the knees, and Dake can simply sprawl, again ending the possibility for a takedown. 

Head positioning is key for a successful takedown, and you can see here how badly Dake puts his partners head out of position, making it nearly impossible to regroup and pursue the takedown.

Option 3

Again, the head is an important factor in an even later defense. With his partner in deeper on the shot, Dake explains that we need to redirect the head to take the aggressor off of their path. Dake also uses his forearm is a windshield wiper motion to transfer his partners head to the opposite side of his body. By separating the head from the posted leg and joining it with the down leg, Dake can now significantly increase his chances of again slipping away from the takedown. Using this transfer of the head continuously, will cause the opposing partner to have to continuously switch which knee is up, and in these transitions Dake can find opportunity to complete his defense. 

Dake also makes a good point here to keep in mind. He explains that when he wrestles there is often a dominant leg. IF you can exploit the dominant leg of a good wrestler, it tends to take them out of their comfort zone and may make defending a much easier task. 

Option 4

With his partner in on an incredibly deep shot, Dake must now take his preventive measures to another level. He bends over his partner, and secures a tight chest wrap. He couples this wrap with a lowering of his hips and then he sits and rolls his partner through. Dake makes sure to roll his partner to the side his head is on to end up in the most favorable position. 

I find the science of wrestling to be so incredibly fascinating ad Dake has surely opened my eyes to some new concepts here. Hope this helps, good luck!

Kyle Dake is one of the best wrestlers on EARTH! His newest instructional Defense Wins Championships will take you on a wrestling JOURNEY! Take your defense to the highest level, and STOP THE TAKEDOWN!

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