Just watching Gholar's takedown DVD, I really suck at takedowns, coming from a BJJ background, so needed some tips!
My question is once I've changed level do lower my lead knee toward the opponent or push forward with my rear leg, dropping the lead knee as I go?
This is something I wasn't too clear on, at first I'm sure he said he just drags the rear leg but from then on and in all demonstrations he pushes forward with that leg.
Also, if I'm a little too far away from my opponent should I take a step forward then change level or change level and step forward slightly with my lead foot?
Finally does the lead knee aim toward the area between my opponent's feet? I know the rear leg comes up beside the opponent's leg for the balance and strength to drive them sideways.
Step the lead foot to the center penetration point between his feet, contacting the ground first with the heel. As you drive through, you will then contact with your toe, and then your knee. So, think "heel, toe, knee" as you penetrate center.
Just seen the above on another website (Stickgrappler) and am confused, what Poz said makes more sense to me, stepping then changing level. I imagine stepping in after changing level is harder and slower to do, probably much easier to telegraph as well.
The change in elevation comes first as described in your above post. The penetration step is a different animal entirely from the elevation change. If you try to combine them you will be taking your shot "downward" and your opponent will likely use your momentum to stuff your face in the mat.
So I change level then perform the penetration step, the penetration step being the lead leg going down to the knee. Is this right? Or do you mean I can change leve then take a step before going down to my knee?
I'm thinking it's the latter and that if I'm too far away I'll take a step first, change level and perform the penetration step.
From what I have been taught.
1. Drop your level (start in the range of a jab).
2. Drive off the back foot steping forward on the front foot (about the same as you would for a jab)
3. knee grounds past his heels (posture is most important here)
4. Grab behind the knees and pull towards your ribs (remember posture)
5. Bring your back foot up (Level with your front foot, not knee).
6. Pivoting off the knee slightly, drive around the corner ( towards 10' o'clock)
That is the basic double leg how I was taught it and I think how Gholar does it.
NeilAllen: I asked the same question a while ago and got different answers from different people. I would try both ways and see which ones you like. At the moment, I'm personally liking more to NOT step forwards with my lead leg after I change levels, but rather just drive with my rear leg and go down on my lead knee. And if you hit him in his gut with your shoulder BEFORE your knee hits the ground, his stomach will take most of the impact as opposed to your knee, so it will even work on concrete (not that scraping your knee a bit on the street should be your biggest concern in a street fight).
level change, (bend at the knees, not at the hips)
5.drive through your opponent, do not shoot at his legs, shoot through them. Make an invisible spot on the mat behind him and act as if his legs are actually there. Depending on which way he is circling, you want to make that spot a bit towards the side he is circling to..(i.e. if he is circling to his left you want to shoot at a point behind and to his left, as to anticipate where he will be, not where he is)..
Oh, and remember, a good double isnt a tackle, it is a creation of a fulcrum by level change in which the opponent is loaded onto your shoulder and then finished. Your hunched over opponent should have his legs lifted out from under him, not driven to the mat..
Not that the double leg tackle dosnt work (many guys use it well), but it is best to master it the way I described before attempting the tackle because learning to tackle first promotes bad technique in beginners..Alot of times you will end up shooting doubles with your head down and bending at the hips by training the tackle varieties first.