The Double Leg Entry is a fundamental wrestling-based takedown that serves as a cornerstone technique for standing grappling exchanges in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This technique involves penetrating your opponent’s defensive space, securing both legs simultaneously, and driving through to establish a dominant position on the ground. The double leg entry is distinguished from the finish itself - it focuses on the critical initial phases of level change, penetration step, and leg capture that create the conditions for a successful takedown. Understanding proper entry mechanics is essential because even perfect finishing technique cannot compensate for poor penetration and positioning. The double leg entry requires precise timing, explosive movement, and tactical deception to bypass an opponent’s defensive posture. Unlike other takedown approaches that rely on upper body control, the double leg entry commits fully to attacking the opponent’s base by removing both legs from the equation simultaneously. This creates an unavoidable mechanical disadvantage for the defender once proper penetration is achieved. Mastery of the double leg entry provides a reliable method for taking the fight to the ground on your terms, establishing top position, and controlling the pace of engagement from the opening exchange.
Starting Position: Standing Position Ending Position: Front Headlock Success Rates: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%
Key Principles
- Level change must precede forward penetration to avoid telegraphing the attack
- The penetration step drives deep between opponent’s legs to compromise their base
- Head position on the centerline or outside creates structural control and prevents guillotine exposure
- Both legs must be attacked simultaneously to eliminate defensive posting options
- Hip drive and forward pressure are maintained throughout the entry sequence
- Hands connect behind the knees or thighs to secure leg control before the finish
- The entry creates commitment - hesitation or incomplete penetration results in defensive counters
Prerequisites
- Establish a neutral standing position with squared stance and balanced weight distribution
- Maintain upright posture to disguise the level change until the moment of execution
- Control distance management to position yourself within penetration range without alerting opponent
- Create angle or grip fighting exchange to generate reaction or opening for entry
- Ensure clear path for penetration step without obstacles or entanglements
- Develop explosive power in legs for rapid level change and forward drive
- Possess hand fighting skills to clear or manipulate opponent’s defensive frames
Execution Steps
- Create Setup Opportunity: Engage in hand fighting or grip exchanges to occupy opponent’s attention and hands. Use feints, pushes, or circular movement to create a momentary lapse in defensive awareness. The goal is to disguise the impending level change by keeping opponent’s focus on upper body exchanges rather than preparing for low attacks. (Timing: During grip fighting exchange or opponent’s forward pressure)
- Execute Level Change: Drop your hips explosively by bending at the knees and waist while maintaining a straight back. Your head should remain up with eyes on opponent’s chest or hips. The level change should be sudden and commit fully - hesitant or gradual dropping telegraphs the attack and allows opponent to sprawl or withdraw. Bring your arms into position with elbows tight to body. (Timing: Explosive drop in single fluid motion (0.2-0.3 seconds))
- Penetration Step: As you drop levels, drive your lead leg forward in a deep step that places your foot between opponent’s feet or slightly beyond centerline. The step should be long and low, with your knee nearly touching the mat. This penetration step commits your body weight forward and positions you to attack both legs simultaneously. Your hips should drive forward and down. (Timing: Immediately following level change - one continuous motion)
- Head Position and Upper Body Connection: Drive your head to opponent’s centerline or slightly to the outside of their hip, making firm contact with your forehead against their midsection. This head position serves multiple purposes: it prevents guillotine attacks, provides structural drive, and controls their upper body. Keep your shoulders forward and chest pressed into opponent’s thighs. Never drop your head below their hips initially. (Timing: Simultaneous with penetration step)
- Secure Leg Grips: As your head makes contact and penetration step lands, shoot your arms around both of opponent’s legs. Your hands should connect behind their knees or thighs with fingers laced or gable grip secured. Pull opponent’s legs toward your chest while maintaining forward drive with your hips. The grip should be tight and committed - both legs must be controlled simultaneously to prevent defensive posting. (Timing: Within 0.5 seconds of penetration)
- Establish Drive Position: With both legs secured and head positioned correctly, bring your trailing leg forward to establish a strong base with feet staggered. Your hips should be low and driving forward continuously. Maintain chest-to-thighs pressure while lifting opponent’s legs slightly off the mat. From this position you transition to the finishing sequence (driving through, elevating, or tripping) based on opponent’s defensive reaction. (Timing: Complete entry within 1-1.5 seconds total)
Opponent Counters
- Sprawl Defense - opponent drives hips back and down while pushing head to mat (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain head position and hand control, switch to single leg finish or transition to front headlock position if sprawl is successful. Can also circle out and re-attack or convert to ankle pick.
- Guillotine Choke - opponent secures front headlock grip during entry (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Keep head position high and outside, complete the takedown rapidly before guillotine can be locked in, or immediately abandon attack and defend guillotine if head gets trapped low and inside.
- Wizard/Whizzer Overhook - opponent secures deep overhook on attacking arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Continue driving forward with one-armed finish, or switch to high crotch position using the trapped arm as a post. Can also step around to opponent’s back using the whizzer as a pivot point.
- Crossface and Hip Withdrawal - opponent pushes face away while pulling hips back (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Fight through the crossface by maintaining forward pressure, or abandon the double leg and transition to upper body takedown or re-engage from standing position.
- Knee Block - opponent brings knee up to block penetration (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Continue driving through the knee barrier or switch to single leg by securing the blocking leg. The knee block only works if penetration is shallow.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the correct sequence for double leg entry execution? A: The correct sequence is: 1) Create setup opportunity through grip fighting or feints, 2) Execute explosive level change by dropping hips with straight back, 3) Drive forward with deep penetration step between opponent’s legs, 4) Establish head position on centerline or outside while driving into opponent’s midsection, 5) Secure both legs with arms wrapped behind knees/thighs and hands connected, 6) Maintain continuous forward drive to complete entry position. This sequence must flow as one continuous motion with each element triggering the next.
Q2: Why is proper head position critical during double leg entry? A: Head position serves three essential functions: First, keeping the head up with forehead driving into opponent’s midsection prevents guillotine choke opportunities which occur when the head drops below the opponent’s hips. Second, proper head position provides structural drive and leverage to control opponent’s upper body and maintain forward pressure. Third, positioning the head on centerline or outside creates angles that make defensive sprawling less effective. Head position is often the difference between successful entry and defensive submission.
Q3: How should you respond if opponent successfully sprawls during your double leg entry? A: If opponent achieves a strong sprawl position, you have several response options depending on what control you maintained: 1) If you still have leg control, continue driving forward and circle to opponent’s side to recover position, 2) If head position is good but legs are withdrawn, transition to front headlock control and look for snap down or go-behind, 3) If one leg is still available, convert to single leg finish, 4) If opponent has superior position, abandon the attack and work to return to neutral standing position or establish defensive guard. The key is recognizing early when the entry has failed and transitioning rather than committing to a lost position.
Q4: What setup or timing creates the highest percentage double leg entry opportunity? A: The highest percentage opportunity typically occurs when opponent is pressuring forward or has committed their weight forward in response to upper body attacks, grip breaks, or feints. This forward commitment compromises their ability to sprawl effectively because their weight is already moving in the direction of your attack. Other high-percentage moments include: immediately after opponent releases a grip and their hands are out of position, when opponent is circling toward your penetration side, after a collar tie snap that draws them forward, or when opponent is fatigued and maintaining less defensive vigilance. The common thread is attacking when opponent’s defensive structure is temporarily compromised.
Q5: What is the most common error that leads to guillotine exposure during double leg entries? A: The most common error is dropping the head below the opponent’s hips during the level change or penetration phase, combined with reaching for legs before establishing proper position. This creates a bent-over posture with the neck extended and exposed, allowing opponent to easily secure a front headlock grip and lock in the guillotine. The correction is to maintain head position up with eyes on opponent’s chest/hips, drive the forehead into their midsection, and ensure the level change and penetration occur before the arms reach for leg control. The head should be the first point of contact and should remain above or at the height of the opponent’s hips throughout the entry.
Q6: How does penetration step depth affect the success of a double leg entry? A: Penetration step depth is critical because it determines how much you compromise opponent’s base and structure. A deep penetration step that places your lead knee between or beyond opponent’s feet accomplishes several things: 1) Removes space for them to sprawl their hips backward, 2) Forces their weight onto their heels where they have poor balance, 3) Positions your hips close to theirs for maximum drive, 4) Makes it mechanically difficult for them to withdraw legs from your grip. Shallow penetration leaves space for effective sprawl defense, allows opponent to maintain balance and base, and requires you to reach for legs rather than securing them from proper position. The penetration step must be long, low, and committed - half-measures result in defensive positions.
Safety Considerations
Double leg entries carry inherent risks that must be managed through proper technique and training progression. The primary safety concern is guillotine choke exposure - improper head position or premature reaching for legs creates immediate submission vulnerability. Always maintain head position awareness and drill defensive guillotine responses. During training, partners should apply guillotine pressure slowly to allow recognition and escape rather than sudden application. For the person being taken down, learning to breakfall properly is essential - landing with arms extended can cause wrist, elbow, or shoulder injuries. Practice taking the fall by turning to the side, distributing impact across back/shoulder, and keeping chin tucked. When drilling entries, the defending partner should allow controlled completion rather than explosive counter-resistance that can lead to knee injuries, muscle strains, or collision injuries. Progress resistance gradually over weeks rather than immediately applying full defensive intensity. For both practitioners, ensuring adequate mat space and awareness of walls, other students, or obstacles prevents collision injuries during dynamic takedown practice. Knee health is paramount - penetration steps place significant stress on the lead knee, so proper warm-up, gradual intensity progression, and attention to any knee pain is critical.
Position Integration
The double leg entry serves as a foundational transition from standing engagement to ground control, functioning as a critical bridge technique in the overall BJJ positional hierarchy. From a strategic perspective, the double leg entry is typically attempted from neutral standing position or various clinch configurations where neither player has established dominance. Successful execution leads to several advantageous ground positions depending on finishing mechanics: Front Headlock if opponent defends with sprawl but you maintain head control, Side Control or Half Guard if the takedown is completed with traditional drive-through finish, or even direct Back Control if opponent turns away during the takedown. The entry itself can be chained with other takedown attempts - if the double leg is defended, common transitions include converting to single leg attacks, transitioning to front headlock snap downs, or re-establishing standing position to reset. Understanding these positional relationships allows the practitioner to view the double leg entry not as an isolated technique but as part of a comprehensive standing-to-ground transition system. The technique also integrates with broader strategic concepts including controlling engagement distance, dictating pace of the match, and forcing opponent reactions that create additional offensive opportunities. In competition contexts, the double leg entry is often used to secure takedown points, establish top position for the remainder of the match, or force guard-pulling opponents to engage in standing exchanges. Modern BJJ increasingly emphasizes wrestling competency, making the double leg entry a fundamental skill that separates well-rounded grapplers from guard-specialist players.