Single Leg
The cornerstone of your standing game, taking one leg and finishing it without exposing your head outside.
Note
This article is in progress. Check back soon for the full content.
Overview
Why the single leg should be the cornerstone of your standing game
Why not the double leg: despite being more effective, double legs are way more likely to go wrong/backfire and tend to end up in guard more than the single leg.
Head outside is banned
Why we only teach head inside single legs at GJJ.
Core Mechanics and Concepts
Single leg positions
- Low leg
- High leg
- Outside high leg
- Sprawl single
- Sweep single
- Shin
Stance, motion, contact
Foot-to-foot positioning
The standing decision tree
- When feet are back: snaps and drags
- When feet are forward: ducks and throw-bys
- Too much resistance: back to single leg
Main movement idea: push hip to mat
External rotation of the leg
Lifting the leg
Move them where their foot isn't
Double leg transition (when the single leg stalls)
Primary goal
Offense
High leg
Outside high leg
Low leg
Sprawl
Sweep / flee
Dealing with shin whizzer
Defense
Knee in center
Stuff the head
Flee
Entries
From standing - types of shots
- Snatch
- Straight
- Sweep
From bottom
- X-Guard
- Butterfly
- Seated guard
Setups
Concept: mirrored stance, single/snapdown/back exposure dilemma
Collar tie and inside tie
Sequence: rear post, collar tie, inside tie.
Push and pull
Russian
Arm drag
Slide by
Duck under
Summary
Coaching Guide
Common entries and sequences
Standing underhook entry. Using a standing underhook to control the opponent and access the leg. If the far leg is accessible, initiate by running your head across their hips. If they pull the leg away, transition to near-side single-leg finishes.
Shin on shin entry (from seated guard). From a seated guard position, shin on shin off-balances the opponent. By making the primary leg light, transition into a single leg or SLX as they struggle to maintain balance.
Bottom heist counter. When a guard player tries to heist or stand up, they often leave one leg vulnerable. The top player takes an inside reach, pulls the leg to their hip, and returns the opponent to the mat while bypassing the guard.
Off-balancing from DLR/RDLR. Using DLR and RDLR to create angles and off-balance (kuzushi), forcing the opponent to post or shift weight, creating a clear path to snatch the single leg.
Low single (above the knee). Taking a grip above the knee for better control. Prevents the opponent from easily sprawling and reduces the risk of being caught in front headlock positions.
Level change + collar tie pop. Using the forearm to pop the opponent's collar tie away while simultaneously level changing into a deep single leg.
Arm drag to single leg. Using an arm drag from standing to access the single leg. If the defender pummels their foot outside to escape, transition into a leg entanglement.
Underhook circling to single. Using a standing underhook to circle the opponent, forcing them to step, then switching directions to shoot for a head-inside single leg.
Wrist snap entry. Clearing a collar tie with a wrist snap, forcing the opponent's hands to the mat, then using the off-balance to immediately pick up the single leg.
Common problems and cues
Recommended games
Resources
- Head Inside Single Leg, Lachlan Giles and Talgat Ilyasov (Submeta)
- The Fastest Way to Becoming Effective in Standing Position, John Danaher (BJJ Fanatics). Our recommended standing instructional. Wait for a sale before purchasing.