Countering Takedown attempts (Single/Double Leg Take-downs)

Author: Odhinn Kohout

 

 

I do not like my students to use a sprawl technique on the job and as a result it is not taught in my courses. On the street it can leave you susceptible to multiple attackers and also keeps you at the center-line of your Attacker enabling him to “re-shoot” for another takedown on you repeatedly.In fact, MMA gyms will teach to re-shoot if your takedown has been stopped by a sprawl which leads to the obvious question for Military/Police CQC training “why do it then?”

It is crucial to get off the “12 o’clock” position or center-line if the bad-guy attempts to shoot in you for a take-down. This can be done by driving your forearms into his traps or controlling the top portion of his head at the “crown.” The top of the head provides the same physics as controlling a limb in that the farthest most region provides the best control.(For the arm this would be the blade edge/ridge part of the hand and for the head it would be the crown.)

Many defensive tactics systems will focus on the back of the neck for this control but in reality this will offer only a 50/50 chance of success in my opinion. From a failed takedown, attempting to control an aggressive attacker by the back of the neck is very difficult as it is a very strong region of the body. The top of the head can offer not only directional control but provides a takedown in driving the Attacker into the ground using both your hands to snap down the head as he shoots in for a gun disarm or leg takedown.

This will also place you in more of a “tripod” position than a sprawl which is advantageous to getting quickly back up to your feet by pushing back and up as opposed to trying to just stand up. (Experiment while wearing kit and you will immediately see the difference from a tripod position IE: shooting platform. Standing up is far more slow than pushing back and up with your hips)

I have seen many Instructors focus on counters to the takedown ONCE it has been applied. We teach our classes to avoid the takedown altogether as it is far more difficult to get out of a technique once it has been secured.

Using a sprawl ties up both your arms to your Attacker and don’t forget he may train with this in mind. But using your forearms from a startled autonomic flinch or a snap-down from the crown of his head will offset his vector of force/line of attack and give you more opportunities for use of force options and transitioning to create a reactionary gap. The bottom line … is that it keeps you on your feet where you should be.

Be safe gentlemen.