Winning the Battle on the Mat by Matt McDonough
Two-time NCAA Champion Matt McDonough breaks down the art of single leg takedown defense in this comprehensive instructional
- Whether you're defending the traditional single or dealing with the high crotch, McDonough gives you a complete system — from the first sprawl to the final counter.
- This series isn’t just about surviving — it’s about winning the battle. Learn how to shut down your opponent’s offense and turn defense into instant scoring opportunities.
- McDonough walks you through the techniques that made him one of the most frustrating wrestlers to finish on, offering insights from his championship career and coaching expertise.
Two-time NCAA Champion Matt McDonough breaks down the art of single leg takedown defense in this comprehensive instructional
- Whether you're defending the traditional single or dealing with the high crotch, McDonough gives you a complete system — from the first sprawl to the final counter.
- This series isn’t just about surviving — it’s about winning the battle. Learn how to shut down your opponent’s offense and turn defense into instant scoring opportunities.
- McDonough walks you through the techniques that made him one of the most frustrating wrestlers to finish on, offering insights from his championship career and coaching expertise.
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What Will You Learn?
Two-time NCAA Champion Matt McDonough breaks down the art of single leg takedown defense in this comprehensive instructional. Whether you're defending the traditional single or dealing with the high crotch, McDonough gives you a complete system — from the first sprawl to the final counter.
This series isn’t just about surviving — it’s about winning the battle. Learn how to shut down your opponent’s offense and turn defense into instant scoring opportunities. McDonough walks you through the techniques that made him one of the most frustrating wrestlers to finish on, offering insights from his championship career and coaching expertise.
🔑 What You'll Learn:
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✅ The Foundations of a Winning Sprawl
Learn the right positioning, timing, and hand-fighting setups that make your sprawl a wall. -
✅ Beating the Traditional Single Leg
Step-by-step breakdowns to defend and recover — even when your opponent gets in deep. -
✅ Neutralizing the High Crotch
Use angles, hips, and pressure to kill momentum and control the scramble. -
✅ Advanced Counter-Offense
Go beyond defense: execute go-behinds, crotch lifts, and limp leg counters for easy points. -
✅ Mat Awareness & Chain Defense
Develop the instincts to chain your reactions and stay one move ahead.
🎯 Who This Is For:
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Wrestlers from youth to collegiate levels
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Coaches looking to sharpen their team’s defensive toolkit
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Anyone tired of giving up singles and scrambling without a plan
Stop getting taken down. Start taking over.
Master the counters, control the mat, and turn every shot into your advantage — with Winning the Battle on the Mat by Matt McDonough.
What Exactly Do You Get?
Part 1
- Intro
- Leg Attack Defensive Fundamentals - Baseline Defense Starting Positioning
- Head and Hands Defense
- Preventing a Lock
Part 2
- Sprawling Fundamentals - Level Change
- Beginner Sprawling Drill
- Hip Pressure
- Giving Ground
- Squaring Hips and Breaking the Lock
- Sprawl to Go Behind Drill
Part 3
- Standing Leg Defensive Scoring - Throwing the Head Inside and Outside
- Drape to Cradle
- Head Inside to Outside Step Over
- Crossface vs Stuffing the Head
Part 4
- Backside Single Leg Defensive Scoring - Whizzer to Squaring Up
- Step Over
- Switch Action
- Shelfed Switch Action
Part 5
- Crackdown Defensive Scoring - Conventional Hip Heist to Go Behind
- Limp Knee
- Body Cradle
- Step Over
- Recap and Outro
