A takedown is the act of bringing your opponent from a standing, neutral position down to the mat while establishing control. It is the fundamental scoring action across all wrestling styles, worth 2 points in freestyle, Greco-Roman and folkstyle. Common takedowns include the double-leg, single-leg and high-crotch (in styles that allow leg attacks), and upper-body throws and trips (the only options in Greco-Roman, which forbids holds below the waist). The ability to score takedowns — and defend against them — is the bedrock of wrestling and transfers directly to mixed martial arts.
Key points
- Standing opponent taken to the mat with control
- Worth 2 points in all styles
- Double-leg, single-leg, throws, trips
- The foundation of wrestling (and MMA)
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