Does Jiu-Jitsu Include Takedowns?

Most of the techniques in jiu-jitsu take place on the ground. But without a way of getting to the ground, those techniques are essentially useless. For that reason, many people starting their grappling journeys wonder whether jiu-jitsu includes takedowns.  

Jiu-jitsu includes takedowns, but they are not the sole focus of the art. Instead, jiu-jitsu practitioners spend most of their time practicing moves that work on the ground. Takedowns are the main way of bringing an opponent to the ground in the first place, but those who practice jiu-jitsu have other means of achieving that goal.

This article will delve into the role takedowns play in jiu-jitsu. We’ll also introduce some other options you can use to get your opponent to the ground, where you’ll have the best opportunity to use your favorite jiu-jitsu techniques. 

What Takedowns are Included in Jiu-Jitsu?

From a broad perspective, we can divide jiu-jitsu takedown techniques into two categories. Nearly all of the takedowns you see in jiu-jitsu are either:

• Judo-based takedowns

• Wrestling-based takedowns

Judo is a grappling art that originated in Japan and was the precursor to modern jiu-jitsu. Naturally, jiu-jitsu has adopted many of the takedown techniques that are standard practice in judo. These moves are especially effective in gi jiu-jitsu.

Jiu-jitsu practitioners also take cues from wrestling when building their takedown skills. In no-gi jiu-jitsu, wrestling-style takedowns are generally more reliable than those that come from judo.

7 Judo Takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu

Judo is jiu-jitsu’s parent martial art and has passed down several strong takedown techniques, including the seven below:

• Seoi nage (shoulder throw)

• Uchi mata (inner-thigh throw)

• Harai goshi (sweeping hip throw)

• Sasae tsurikomi ashi (foot sweep)

• Tomoe nage (circle throw)

• Sumi gaeshi (corner throw)

• Osotogari (large outer reap)

Some judo-style takedowns rely heavily on establishing a grip on your opponent’s Gi first. Other judo techniques have no-gi variations, making them useful in a broader range of grappling situations, including mixed martial arts.

7 Wrestling Takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu

The effectiveness of wrestling-style takedowns is undeniable. Here are seven examples of wrestling-based takedowns that have a high prevalence in jiu-jitsu as well:

• Double leg

• Single leg

• High-Crotch

• Ankle pick

• Knee tap

• Snap down

• Inside trip

Wrestling takedowns tend to have incredibly high success rates in no-gi grappling and mixed martial arts. Learning these takedowns is an excellent idea for anyone who wants to develop a more potent grappling game from the standing position.

Alternatives to Using Takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu

Using a takedown, whether a judo-based technique or a move from wrestling, is the ideal way to bring your opponent to the ground. Generally, the benefit of a takedown is that you’ll land in an advantageous top position. However, there are two alternative strategies that you can use to bring your opponent to the floor in jiu-jitsu.

What is Guard Pulling in Jiu-Jitsu?

Guard pulling is an alternative to takedowns that involves pulling your opponent to the ground while allowing them to have the top position. Guard pulls are typically easier to perform than takedowns for two reasons.

First, opponents are less likely to give strong resistance against a guard pull and will often freely accept the top position. Second, guard pulling is far less strenuous than attempting a takedown. Rather than forcing your opponent off their feet and onto their back, you will simply pull your opponent on top of you with a guard pull.

However, there are some significant disadvantages to guard pulling compared to completing takedowns, especially when striking can occur. Mainly, giving your opponent the top position allows them to use gravity against you. When your opponent is on top, they can use their body weight to put pressure on you. On the bottom, you’ll be far more vulnerable to strikes as well.

Still, when a jiu-jitsu practitioner lacks the ability to take their opponent down and land in the top position, guard pulling is the next best option. Many jiu-jitsu practitioners have developed enough guard skills to make guard pulling a legitimate offensive option from the standing position. Some are so offensive from their backs that their opponents will avoid engaging their guards altogether.

Countering Your Opponent’s Takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu

Takedowns and guard pulls are the two most common options from a neutral standing position. But there is a third, less discussed option that can work too. If you don’t feel confident attempting a takedown or a guard pull, you can try to anticipate your opponent’s takedown attempts and counter them with a relevant technique.

For example, it is extremely common to see jiu-jitsu practitioners respond to a double leg takedown by locking on a guillotine choke. Other practitioners are willing to accept certain types of takedowns if they lead to a guard position from which they have some well-practiced sweeps and submissions.

There are many ways to counter a takedown with a submission attempt or some sort of transition. However, the downside to this approach is obvious. If you fail to time your counter correctly, odds are, your opponent will succeed with their takedown and begin implementing their game plan.

Why Many Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners Have Poor Takedown Skills

Jiu-jitsu practitioners can have a reputation for having poor takedown skills, especially compared to grapplers from other styles, such as judo and wrestling. There is truth to that reputation, and these are some of the reasons behind it:

• Jiu-jitsu gyms lack training space: Many jiu-jitsu training sessions are so crowded that there is not enough room for every pair to practice takedowns at once. While this is a weak excuse not to develop takedown skills, many jiu-jitsu gyms begin their sparring sessions on the ground so that no one falls on a nearby pair of rolling partners while attempting to complete or defend a takedown. 

• There are alternatives to takedowns in jiu-jitsu: Takedowns are not the only avenue by which a jiu-jitsu practitioner can get to the ground. The presence of guard pulling diminishes the necessity for strong takedown skills. 

• Takedowns are not a jiu-jitsu practitioner’s specialty: Unlike grapplers from other martial arts, such as judo and wrestling, jiu-jitsu practitioners don’t specialize in takedowns specifically. Instead, takedowns are just one group of techniques among the many techniques and positions a jiu-jitsu practitioner must learn. As such, wrestlers and judokas will almost always maintain an edge in the takedown aspect of grappling.

Although there are legitimate reasons why jiu-jitsu practitioners often have limited takedown abilities, that is no reason not to train them. Having takedown skills will make you a more well-rounded grappler who is prepared to compete well against any opponent.

Conclusion

Takedowns are included in jiu-jitsu and are an incredibly crucial part of the art. After all, without a reliable way to achieve a grounded position, any ground techniques you have lose a lot of value. Just know that as a jiu-jitsu practitioner, you can use a few other routes to get your opponent to the ground.