The Double Leg Entry from the attacker’s perspective is about creating the conditions for an overwhelming positional advantage through explosive level change, deep penetration, and simultaneous leg capture. The attacker must orchestrate a sequence of deceptive upper body engagement, explosive hip drop, and committed forward drive that bypasses the opponent’s defensive posture before they can react. This requires understanding that the entry is a single continuous chain of movements rather than discrete steps - the level change flows into penetration which flows into leg capture without pause or hesitation.
Successful attackers develop an acute sense of timing that allows them to recognize the micro-windows when an opponent’s weight shifts forward, their hands are occupied, or their attention is directed elsewhere. These windows are often created deliberately through grip fighting, feints, and upper body attacks that force defensive reactions. The attacker who can manufacture these openings rather than waiting for them becomes dangerous from any standing engagement.
From Position: Standing Position (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Double Leg Entry?
- 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
What do you need before attempting Double Leg Entry?
- 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
How do you execute Double Leg Entry step by step?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | Front Headlock | 60% |
| Failure | Standing Position | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Opponent Counters
How might your opponent counter Double Leg Entry?
- 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. → Leads to Standing Position
- 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. → Leads to Closed Guard
- 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. → Leads to Standing Position
- 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. → Leads to 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. → Leads to Standing Position
Safety Considerations
What are the safety concerns for Double Leg Entry?
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.