How to Execute a Takedown in Wrestling

Takedowns are one of the ways a wrestler can score a point on the mat. Takedowns, however, are somewhat difficult to execute especially if you’re still a beginner in the sport.

The best way to learn takedowns is to learn from a professional. Wrestling lessons are usually offered at schools or in sports centers, but these can cost a lot of money. Your next best option is to learn from instructional wrestling videos. It’s not that easy to learn from these videos if you’re studying alone so consider asking a friend to accompany you. To facilitate your self-study of takedowns, read the following tips below before watching your wrestling video:

Takedowns are made at a close proximity to your opponent. As such, if you’re standing too far from your opponent, you should make an effort to relax your body. Keeping your body tense for no reason at all but mere anticipation of your opponent’s moves will get you nowhere. If you’re in no position to make a takedown, don’t waste precious energy feeling tense for no reason.

Basic positioning is important when executing takedowns. For that reason, people who jump immediately to advanced techniques such as takedowns and skipping lessons in basic skills such as positioning (stance) and penetration are usually unable to execute their takedowns properly.

The right positioning will give you the opening you need to make a takedown and at the same time prevent you from giving the same opening to your opponent. The best position to adopt when you’re in range of your opponent is to remain slightly bent with your hands in proximity to your head.

Legs play an important role when you’re attempting a takedown. If you’re planning to use your leg to hook his and tackle, make sure that you do so at the right distance. A good takedown using the legs shouldn’t be made beyond arm’s length. If you’re going to swing your legs out farther than arms length, there’s a good probability that either you won’t reach your opponent quickly or he’ll be able to block it out effectively.

When you’re at a distance, remember that all your attacks - legs or arms - will have lesser force than it should.

All sports - basketball, football, or in this case, wrestling - all depend on a game play and set up. In basketball, the point guard is usually appointed the role of designing the set up in the court for his teammates to score a basket. In wrestling, however, since there are only two people on the mat, it’s up to you to set up your own takedown.

Without a proper set up, it’s possible that you won’t be able to execute a takedown perfectly. When preparing for a takedown, your first goal should be to destroy your enemy’s position. You need to devise a way to cause your opponent to fall down on the mat from a previously standing position.

Tie-ups are very interesting for the audience to watch, but extremely difficult to win for a wrestler. For first-timers in wrestling, you can always do your best to avoid getting involved in a tie-up but then you’ll never be able to learn how to act in a tie-up. A tie-up can reduce your opponent’s energy substantially enough to increase your chances of making a successful takedown.

Movement is integral in wrestling, especially if you’re attempting to make a takedown. Never stay too long in a position as this will give your opponent time to study your position and find a weakness or opening in it. Always be on the prowl as this will allow you different angles of your enemy’s position.

Avoid making a pattern when moving, but don’t concentrate too much on moving randomly as you’ll unconsciously create a pattern when you do so. Keep your steps short but quick at all times.

Keep in mind that practicing takedowns in front of the TV is quite different from executing them in reality and against a real opponent. Be patient and bide your time well. Don’t be disappointed when you don’t get to execute a takedown in your first few matches. Practice, practice, and practice some more and it will soon pay off!