Low Single Shot
Oftentimes it can be really frustrating to be working an opponent who stays low. When your opponent has that naturally low resting stance, it can make it feel like you simply cannot get anywhere near them. The funny thing about this sport is we need to get close in order to do anything! This Low Single Shot is sneakily effective and can get you a lot of easy takedowns in Jiu-Jitsu. This isn’t something you can mix in all the time, but having an arsenal of takedowns that your opponent simply doesn’t see coming can be the reason you come off the mats victorious.
The Low Single Shot is pretty simple to learn, you don’t have to drill it too much before executing it at speed a few times. Once you’ve felt it out and worked it into live training, it becomes a tool you can go to whenever you need it. Additionally, it isn’t done all that often, but has a pretty high percentage of success because of that; it catches opponents off guard and sets you up for more combinations on the ground. Once you find yourself grappling and hand fighting to no end, the Low Single Shot can come into play and put you in an advantageous position over your opponent.
A Word To The Wise
As a quick disclaimer: This move won’t work very well against good wrestlers. That means national level or higher wrestlers, they just know how to work this kind of position better than most. One more important thing to know, your training partners are going to react in a wide variety of ways each and every time, some funny, some predictable, always something new. It’s good to try this move against a bunch of different people, so no one’s reaction ever catches you off guard when implementing it into live training or matches.
Also, consider where your weaknesses may come into play with this technique. The more mobile you can be, the better and faster you can execute the Low Single Shot, among many other BJJ techniques.
Let’s get into the nitty gritty! Here’s a few key points you should be focusing on when working the Low Single Shot technique.
Low Single Shot Step-By-Step:
Low Single Shot Step 1:
Your first move is to step back and load your back foot. This creates a spring that will allow you to shoot forward and add speed into your element of surprise when going for the ankle.
Low Single Shot Step 2:
Stay low and create a small angle. When you go for the ankle, imagine the heel is 12 o’clock and the toes are 6 o’clock, you want to make sure you hit it at 1 or 2 o’clock (creating that small angle). That will be the optimal position to get them to tip over. If you hit the ankle straight on, your opponent will be able to defend that attack much more easily than you expect. Find the right angle and the rest becomes a lot easier.
Low Single Shot Step 3:
Block your opponent’s heel. When you first shoot in on the ankle, focus on keeping your hand and forearm on the floor. This will render you stable, and make it tough for your opponent to escape from your grip on their ankle.
Low Single Shot Step 4:
Next, you’re going to want to slightly drive forward with your shoulder. Keep your head right where it started and shift your body weight into their lower leg. The moment you feel their weight going back, pull their heel out slightly but keep your hand on the floor.
Low Single Shot Step 5:
If these are all executed right, this should be able to knock your opponent down without them even leaving the floor (at least while drilling).
The Second Part
If your opponent is a quick reactor, or somehow knew what was coming, they’ll try to defend this technique using the body lock. They’ll hover over the top of you and use both hands to lock around your body and you better believe they’ll hold on for dear life. If this happens, the second part of this technique comes into play. This is where you’ll trap your opponent’s opposite leg and circle out around them on your head, putting you in the top position.
More than likely, you’ll have to go north to south in order to push the weak triangle your opponent has on your head off. When trying to circle out, make sure you do your absolute best to prevent them from crossing their foot behind their knee (so you avoid a stronger triangle). It is pretty easy to get out and around north to south when it’s just their ankles crossed, but anything tighter puts you in a little bit of trouble. Once you’ve moved yourself north to south, you can start working yourself up to pass the guard.
A Final Thought
Having some quick and easy takedowns in your toolbox can save you in the heat of a fight. Make sure you drill this technique until you feel comfortable taking it into live training. And again, make sure you trap the ankle, contact their shin with your shoulder, and back out for the takedown instead of continually driving forward.
