Double Leg Setup

The Double Leg Setup is a fundamental wrestling entry adapted for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that creates the optimal conditions for executing a double leg takedown. This preparatory sequence focuses on controlling distance, manipulating opponent reactions, and establishing proper positioning before committing to the explosive penetration step. The setup phase is arguably more important than the finish itself, as it determines whether you’ll achieve a clean takedown or expose yourself to sprawl defense and guillotine attacks. Effective setup work involves a combination of grip fighting, level changes, angle creation, and timing that forces your opponent into defensive postures while creating offensive opportunities. The modern approach to double leg setups emphasizes tactical entries over purely athletic explosiveness, making it accessible to practitioners of all physical abilities. Understanding the setup mechanics allows you to chain together multiple takedown attempts, use feints to create openings, and seamlessly transition between standing and ground techniques when opportunities arise.

Starting Position: Standing Position Ending Position: Double Leg Entry Success Rates: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%

Key Principles

Control distance through grip fighting and footwork before committing to the entry
Use level changes and upper body movement to disguise your intentions and create reactions
Establish collar ties or wrist control to prevent opponent from creating defensive frames
Position your lead foot outside opponent’s stance to create the optimal penetration angle
Maintain upright posture during setup to hide the level change until the last moment
Create forward pressure or pulling reactions that compromise opponent’s base before shooting
Time your entry to coincide with opponent’s weight shifts or defensive lapses

Prerequisites

Neutral standing position with balanced stance and weight distribution
Adequate distance management to prevent opponent from immediately sprawling or clinching
At least one grip established (collar tie, wrist control, or sleeve grip)
Opponent’s posture broken or reactive movement created through feints or pressure
Clear penetration pathway identified (outside or inside opponent’s lead leg)
Mat awareness to ensure sufficient space for forward movement

Execution Steps

Establish grip control: Secure a collar tie with your lead hand, placing it behind opponent’s neck with fingers interlaced. Simultaneously control their wrist or sleeve with your rear hand, creating a connected grip system that limits their defensive options and allows you to manipulate their posture. (Timing: Initial contact phase)
Create distance and angle: Step your lead foot to the outside of opponent’s lead foot, approximately 45 degrees off their centerline. This lateral positioning creates an angle that opens up the shooting lane while making it difficult for them to sprawl directly backward over your entry. (Timing: Setup positioning)
Execute upper body feint: Push or pull with your collar tie to create a reactive response from your opponent. A forward push often causes them to push back, while a pull creates forward momentum. These reactions momentarily compromise their defensive readiness and weight distribution. (Timing: Reaction creation phase)
Perform level change: Lower your hips by bending at the knees and waist while maintaining an upright back angle. The level change should be smooth and controlled, not telegraphed. Drop low enough that your shoulders align with opponent’s hips, positioning yourself for the penetration step. (Timing: Pre-penetration preparation)
Release grips strategically: As you drop your level, release the collar tie but maintain momentary wrist control to prevent them from creating distance. Your hands will transition from controlling grips to shooting positions, with arms driving forward and hands targeting behind their knees. (Timing: Transition to attack)
Step penetration foot forward: Drive your lead foot deep between opponent’s legs, landing with your knee pointing directly at their centerline. Your rear foot should follow in a powerful step, creating the momentum needed to drive through their base. Your head should be positioned tight to their hip, not floating in guillotine range. (Timing: Explosive entry phase)
Secure double leg grip: As you penetrate, wrap both arms around the back of opponent’s thighs, clasping your hands together behind their knees. Your shoulder pressure should drive into their hips while your arms pull their legs toward your chest, creating the classic double leg attacking position. (Timing: Completion of setup)
Maintain driving pressure: Continue driving forward with your legs while keeping your hips low and back straight. This forward pressure prevents them from sprawling effectively and sets up your finishing options, whether that’s a traditional double leg finish, transition to single leg, or mat return. (Timing: Setup to finish transition)

Opponent Counters

Sprawl defense with hips driven backward (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Immediately transition to single leg position by releasing one leg and circling to the side, or convert to a body lock if they sprawl without creating distance
Guillotine choke attempt as you shoot (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Keep your head tight to their hip rather than floating in front, drive through to complete the takedown which often breaks the guillotine grip, or bail out by pulling your head free and resetting to standing
Whizzer overhook on your shooting arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Continue driving forward while switching to single leg grip on the non-whizzered side, or use the whizzer as a pivot point to circle behind for back access
Cross-face with strong head control (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Lower your level even further and drive through their base before they can establish the cross-face, or release and re-shoot from a different angle
Limp leg withdrawal where they pull leg back (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Chase the retreating leg by advancing your penetration step further, or switch to attacking the planted leg which now bears all their weight

Common Mistakes

Mistake: Telegraphing the shot by dropping level too early or too obviously
- Consequence: Opponent recognizes the attack and sprawls before you can complete penetration, leaving you exposed in a poor position
- Correction: Maintain upright posture until the moment of attack, using subtle level changes disguised within normal movement patterns
Mistake: Shooting from too far away without closing distance first
- Consequence: Insufficient penetration depth allows opponent to easily sprawl or step back, wasting energy on a failed attempt
- Correction: Use grip fighting and footwork to establish proper range, ensuring your penetration step lands deep between their legs
Mistake: Leading with your head instead of your hips
- Consequence: Head floats in guillotine range while hips stay too high, making the shot weak and vulnerable to front headlock attacks
- Correction: Drive hips forward first while keeping head tight to their hip, creating a low, powerful entry angle
Mistake: Looking down at the mat during entry
- Consequence: Loss of postural integrity and awareness, making it impossible to react to opponent’s defensive movements or counters
- Correction: Keep your eyes on opponent’s hips or chest, maintaining awareness of their weight distribution and counter-attack attempts
Mistake: Failing to establish any grips before shooting
- Consequence: Opponent can easily create distance, frame against your head, or move laterally away from your attack line
- Correction: Always establish at least wrist or collar tie control before committing to the entry, using grips to break posture and limit mobility
Mistake: Shooting in a straight line without creating angles
- Consequence: Predictable attack allows opponent to sprawl directly backward over your entry, their strongest defensive response
- Correction: Step at 45-degree angles to create lateral positioning, forcing opponent to adjust their base before sprawling

Training Progressions

Week 1-2: Technical Foundation - Grip fighting and distance management fundamentals Practice establishing collar ties and wrist control from neutral standing position. Work on footwork patterns that create angles without committing to shots. Drill level changes in isolation, focusing on smooth hip movement while maintaining upright back position. Partner remains completely static to allow focus on technical positioning. (Resistance: None)

Week 3-4: Movement Integration - Combining grips, angles, and level changes into fluid sequences Chain together grip establishment, angle creation, and level change into continuous movement patterns. Practice feints and reactions, learning to recognize when opponent’s weight shifts create shooting opportunities. Begin timing shots based on partner’s movement rather than static drilling. Partner provides light resistance by moving in predictable patterns. (Resistance: Light)

Week 5-8: Reactive Drilling - Reading reactions and timing entries appropriately Partner actively moves and changes levels but does not attempt takedown defense. Focus on recognizing optimal shooting moments based on their posture breaks, weight transfers, and grip fighting patterns. Practice aborting bad shots and resetting to standing rather than forcing entries from poor positions. Develop ability to chain multiple setup attempts together. (Resistance: Medium)

Week 9-12: Defended Entries - Executing setups against sprawl and guillotine defense Partner actively defends with sprawls, guillotines, and cross-faces at approximately 70% intensity. Practice maintaining proper head position to avoid guillotines, driving through sprawl attempts, and transitioning to alternatives when initial entry is defended. Develop problem-solving ability when facing common defensive reactions. Learn to recognize when to complete the shot versus when to bail out and reset. (Resistance: Full)

Month 4-6: Competition Simulation - Applying setups in live standing grappling scenarios Engage in full-intensity standing-only rounds where both partners attempt takedowns. Focus on creating multiple setup opportunities through movement, grip fighting, and pressure. Chain double leg setups with other takedown attempts, using failed entries as setups for subsequent attacks. Develop strategic understanding of when to pull guard versus when to continue pursuing takedowns based on point scoring and match context. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Snap Down to Double Leg Setup: Use a collar tie to snap opponent’s head and upper body downward, forcing them to post their hands on the mat. As they attempt to stand back up, their hips rise and weight shifts forward, creating an ideal moment to shoot underneath their elevated stance. This variant works exceptionally well against opponents with strong sprawl defense because their defensive mechanism (posting hands) actually creates the setup opportunity. (When to use: Against opponents who maintain extremely low postures or who have excellent sprawl timing, making traditional setups difficult)

Fake Single to Double Leg Setup: Initiate the entry as if shooting a single leg, causing opponent to defend by pulling the attacked leg back and shifting weight to their rear leg. Immediately transition to attacking both legs with a double leg grip, capitalizing on their compromised base and defensive commitment to the wrong attack. The fake single draws their attention and defense to one side before attacking their entire structure. (When to use: When opponent shows pattern recognition and consistent defensive responses to single leg attempts)

Collar Drag to Double Leg Setup: Establish a collar tie and use it to pull opponent past you at an angle while simultaneously sidestepping. As they react by pulling back to regain their base, time your double leg entry to coincide with their backward pull, using their own momentum to create the reaction you need. Their effort to resist the drag momentarily compromises their stance structure. (When to use: Against physically stronger opponents who resist your grips with significant force, allowing you to use their strength against them)

Low Single to Double Leg Conversion: Shoot a deliberately low single leg attack where your penetration step lands far outside their stance. As they defend by stepping back or sprawling, maintain your low position and transition both arms to wrap both legs in double leg position. This variant uses the single leg as a setup tool rather than a finishing technique, with the double leg being the actual objective. (When to use: In no-gi situations where single leg control is difficult to maintain, making the conversion to double leg more efficient than fighting for single leg finish)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the primary purpose of establishing grip control before attempting a double leg setup? A: Grip control serves multiple functions: it prevents opponent from creating distance or frames, allows you to manipulate their posture and create reactions, limits their defensive options by controlling their upper body, and provides tactical information about their weight distribution and defensive tendencies. Without grips, opponent can easily move away from your attack line or establish defensive structures before you complete your penetration.

Q2: Why is it important to step at an angle rather than shooting directly forward on a double leg setup? A: Stepping at approximately 45 degrees creates several advantages: it opens up a clear penetration lane by moving outside their strongest defensive alignment, makes it geometrically difficult for them to sprawl directly backward over your entry, positions your head and shoulder away from guillotine range, and forces them to adjust their base before they can defend effectively, creating a momentary window of vulnerability during their adjustment.

Q3: How should you time your level change in relation to your grip fighting and feints? A: The level change should occur as the final element of the setup sequence, not as the first movement. Establish grips first, create reactions through pushing or pulling, recognize the moment when opponent’s posture breaks or weight shifts unfavorably, then execute a rapid level change disguised within the reactive movement. The level change should be quick enough that opponent cannot react before you complete penetration, which requires hiding it until their defensive attention is committed elsewhere.

Q4: What are the key differences between a successful penetration step and one that leaves you vulnerable to defense? A: A successful penetration step places your lead foot deep between opponent’s legs with knee pointing at their centerline, positions your head tight to their hip rather than floating in front, maintains low hip position while keeping back straight and strong, and creates continuous forward pressure that prevents them from creating space. Failed penetration typically shows insufficient depth (foot too far outside), head position too high or too far from their body, hips elevated rather than driven forward, and loss of forward momentum that allows opponent to establish sprawl or guillotine positions.

Q5: When should you abandon a double leg setup attempt rather than committing to completion? A: Abort the attempt when you recognize these warning signs early: opponent successfully sprawls with hips driven back before you secure leg grips, you feel a tight guillotine grip establishing around your neck with no forward progress, your penetration step lands too shallow with no path to deepen position, opponent establishes a strong cross-face or whizzer before you can drive through, or you recognize your timing was wrong and they’ve already shifted weight to defend. Learning to recognize failed setups early and reset to standing prevents wasted energy and dangerous defensive positions.

Q6: How does the double leg setup integrate with other takedown attacks in a strategic approach? A: The double leg setup functions as part of a takedown system where each attempt creates information and opportunities for subsequent attacks. Failed double leg attempts often leave opponent in defensive postures that create single leg opportunities, snap down entries, or bodylock positions. The setup movements themselves (level changes, angle creation, grip fighting) serve as both standalone techniques and as feints that draw reactions for alternative attacks. Effective wrestlers chain multiple setup attempts together, using each defensive reaction to inform the next attack choice, creating a systematic pressure that eventually produces scoring opportunities.

Safety Considerations

Controlled application of the double leg setup is essential to prevent partner injuries during drilling and sparring. The primary safety concern involves protecting partner from dangerous falls, particularly onto their head, neck, or shoulders. When practicing setup entries, maintain awareness of driving speed and power, gradually building intensity rather than immediately using explosive movements with new partners. Ensure adequate mat space exists for forward movement and potential sprawl reactions to prevent collisions with walls or other training pairs. During the penetration phase, keep your head positioned tight to partner’s hip rather than driving upward into their face or jaw. When transitioning from setup to finish, control their descent to the mat rather than allowing uncontrolled falls that could result in neck compression or shoulder injuries. Practice on appropriate matting that provides sufficient cushioning for takedown impacts. In drilling scenarios, agree upon resistance levels beforehand and respect tap signals if partner feels unstable or unsafe during any phase of the technique. Build progressive resistance over weeks and months rather than immediately training at competition intensity, allowing both partners to develop the technical proficiency and body awareness needed for safe execution.

Position Integration

The Double Leg Setup serves as a critical bridge technique in the standing phase of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, connecting neutral standing positions to dominant top control positions such as side control, mount, or knee on belly. Within the larger BJJ positional hierarchy, this setup represents the offensive initiative in the standing exchange, determining whether the match will be fought from standing or ground positions. The technique integrates closely with guard pulling strategies, as practitioners must decide moment-to-moment whether to pursue takedowns or pull guard based on setup success rates, opponent defensive patterns, and overall match strategy. Failed double leg setups often transition naturally into front headlock positions, guillotine opportunities, or scrambles where both competitors vie for top position, making the setup phase a critical decision point that shapes subsequent positional exchanges. In competition contexts, the double leg setup becomes part of a comprehensive takedown system that includes single legs, high crotches, body locks, and snap downs, with each technique setting up the others through defensive reactions and pattern recognition. Understanding how the double leg setup connects to these related positions and techniques allows practitioners to develop systematic approaches rather than isolated technique collections, creating a cohesive standing game that integrates seamlessly with their ground-based skills.