In grappling-based martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or submission grappling, finding a path to get behind an actively defending opponent can be difficult. While the back is considered the most dominant controlling position in grappling, there are also many effective ways to take opponents down while facing them head-on. Learning how to set up and defend takedowns while meeting the opponent head-to-head is an essential facet that every grappler must have in their arsenal. In this article, let’s look at the eight ways to take your opponents down from the standing chest-to-chest position.
What Is The Chest-To-Chest Position?
The chest-to-chest position in grappling is when you and the opponent grapple with each other upfront. In this position, either grappler has control over their opponent through double underhooks, double overhooks, or with an over-under control. The double underhook and overhook have advantages and can be effectively used to set up different throws or takedowns, while the over-under is considered a 50/50 position.
Creating your angles is vital when setting up takedowns from the chest-to-chest position. On the contrary, keeping your balance and weight distribution on point is critical when defending against takedowns from this configuration. Below are some takedowns you can perform from the chest-to-chest position.
1) Lateral Drop
In this setup, start with an overhook. Many grapplers opt for the underhook, viewing anything else as a disadvantage, but the lateral drop is set up using the opponent’s forward momentum. With the overhook, if the opponent keeps pressuring forward, you can step your opposite leg between the opponent’s center of gravity while your opposite arm goes for an underhook. Fall back, arch, and roll as you land on the mat to end up in side control.
Keeping the points above, a failed lateral drop will put you on your back or allow the opponent the opportunity to stay low and keep their hips back. That is why stepping in deep between the opponent’s center of gravity is essential in making the lateral drop work.
2) Belly To Belly Suplex
The belly-to-belly suplex is typically set up from the over-under control. The opponent will usually have their hips back to defend. Lock your hands together on the middle of their back to pull the opponent back in. An important tip is to have your shoulder lower than the opponent’s. Bring your hips in and pull the opponent to align their hips and straighten their back.
Step your leg outside (over hooking side), and as the opponent defends by stepping their leg back, move to the other side (over hooking side) and bring your hips outside beside the opponent’s hips. Squat down and turn towards your over-hooking side as you arch your back to finish the throw.
3) Bear Hug (Body Lock)
The bear hug takedown is one of the fundamental takedowns in grappling and is an effective technique for self-defense situations. Starting from the over-under control, consistently reinforce your underhook by stepping forwad with your same-side leg. Create space with your over-hooking arm for an underhook by digging into the opponent’s biceps with your fingers and knuckles.
Swim inside both your underhooks and step inside your back leg deep in between the opponent. Lock your hands together either with a butterfly or gable grip on the middle of the opponent’s back. Step your back leg around the opponent, pull the body lock, and look behind the opponent as you drive them forward for the takedown.
4) Inside Trip
The inside trip can also be set up from the over-under position in the stand-up. Assuming that you have the overhook with your left arm and the opponent poses their head on your face with their underhook, perform two steps. Step inside with your right foot, and your left foot hooks the opponent’s lead leg, kicking it behind their knee. Finish by dropping your knees on the mat.
As you hook your left leg behind the opponent’s leg, look on your left side by putting your head outside to regain your inside trip head position. Simultaneously pull their arm down with your overhook and drive a strong underhook with your right hand, keeping your elbow tucked. This motion helps you secure the takedown.
5) Outside Trip
The outside trip can be efficiently set up with a body lock. Using the body lock control, have your head underneath posted on the opponent’s chin to control the inside space. Clasping your hands together while pinching your elbows together makes up for a tight body lock. Take your outside leg behind the opponent’s knee while driving with your head to bend the opponent backward. Finish the takedown by driving with your head, pulling with the body lock, and tripping the opponent behind their knee.
6) Chest To Chest Slide By
Assuming you have a two-on-one control (tricep and wrist) and the opponent defends by facing you chest to chest, set up the slide by forcing the opponent to lean their body down to your two-on-one side. Release your wrist control, grab a far underhook, and elevate the opponent’s shoulder as you drive your hips in. Change level and drive the opponent with your head as you use your hand (tricep-controlling hand) to grab around the opponent. Drive the opponent through to finish the takedown.
7) Chest To Chest Back Arch Throw
From the over-under position, level change to trap the opponent’s underhooking arm using your head and pinching your overhooking elbow to your ribs. Step across your back foot near the opponent’s far leg and lock your hands together for a body lock. As you step, it builds a natural arch that is key in creating the momentum for this takedown, lifting the opponent off their feet.
The bigger the arch, the more life and safer the throw will be. Arch and look to the side you’re throwing the opponent to finish the throw.
8) Sag Body Lock Takedown
Starting from the over-under position, trap the opponent’s underhooking arm by locking your hands together, using your head, and leaning onto the side. Step your overhooking side leg near the opponent’s center of gravity and throw them over the same shoulder to finish the throw.
Conclusion
Grapplers must learn how to attack and defend from the stand-up. It is an essential building block in understanding the effective distribution of weight, balance, leverage, and power in setting up takedowns. Study these takedowns from the chest-to-chest position and see how they affect your stand-up from the clinch.
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