Issue 155
June 2017
Hook a leg and safely rise into a takedown
Trainer: Greg Jackson
MMA’s most in-demand coach demonstrates the best techniques for the cage, aided by UFC bantamweight, John Dodson
1 - Greg begins on his back with his legs close to John, who is approaching his guard.
2 - Greg slides his hips out to the right on the mat and hooks the back of John’s left knee with his foot.
3 - Greg’s hooked foot gives him leverage to turn upwards in a corkscrew movement and get to one knee.
4 - Greg gets to his knee, hooks John’s leg with his arm and finishes turning when he’s facing the same direction as him.
5 - Then Greg adjusts his arms to hook John’s thigh with his right arm and ankle with his left hand.
6 - Greg rises, picks John’s leg up and takes control of his waist with his head against his body.
TOP TIPS:
AMATEUR
- Turn as you rise to stop your opponent sprawling their leg out and away
SEMI-PRO
- With the right positioning, you can move your head on the way up so your opponent can only hit the back of it, which is illegal.
PROFESSIONAL
- In the final step, straighten your legs like a squat, so even if your opponent pushes down on your head, you’ll have the power to rise.
