How to Take Someone Down

Last Updated: September 17, 2022 References

When faced with an opponent, it may be necessary to take the person down in order to defend yourself. Many strategies provide effective ways to take someone down without extensive training. In wrestling, several moves are designed specifically to bring your opponent to the mat. If you find yourself being attacked by another person, using defensive techniques can neutralize your attacker and bring them down.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Down an Aggressor

1
Block or avoid an attack from your opponent.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Mark Vinci
Self Defense Trainer
Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.} If someone is coming at you in an attack, you’ll want to be prepared to defend yourself.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Back away from the attacker to put yourself out of reach.^{[3]
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  Expert Source
  
  Joseph Bautista
  Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
- Place your arms in front of your face to block any punches.
- Duck under a punch and prepare to counter attack.
2
Use the force of your opponent’s attack against them. When someone is attacking you, you can use the forward momentum of the attack to pull the attacker towards you and to the ground. Using your opponent's momentum against him is a good way to take on an opponent that is larger than you are.^{[4]
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- Lean back away from the attack.
- Grab the person by the arm or shirt as they are punching or attacking.
- Pull the attacker towards you and down.
- Use your leg to trip them to the ground as you pull them.
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3
Sweep your attacker off his feet and onto his back. Using a combination of a trip and a push, you can make someone fall backwards. This method works well when you are able to position yourself in front of an opponent.
- Move in close to your opponent.
- Step one leg beside your attacker.
- Grab the person by the shoulders and push them backwards.
- Sweep your leg around and behind their ankles while you push.
4
Use martial arts like Tae Kwon Do. Using a combination of defensive moves to avoid your attacker and an offensive take down, you can easily take down an opponent.
- Enroll in a beginner's martial arts class at a local gym.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Joseph Bautista
  Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
- If you're unsure what specific type of martial arts to study, try doing some research on the different styles, reading reviews, dropping by a martial arts school, and maybe watching a class to see what the atmosphere is like.^{[6]
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  Expert Source
  
  Joseph Bautista
  Self Defense Specialist, Martial Arts Instructor, & 1st Aid/CPR Instructor
  Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}
- Watch instructional videos to see the movements in action.
- Practice the moves in front of a mirror or with a trained partner.
5
Subdue your opponent with a choke hold. In order to perform a choke hold, you must be in the proper position to grab your opponent. This technique works best when you move quickly and can catch someone off guard. An opponent that is much larger than you may be able to break free of a choke hold and turn on you quickly.^{[7]
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Research source} Once the attacker stops moving, check for anyone else who's trying to harm you before running away to somewhere safe.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Mark Vinci
Self Defense Trainer
Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.}
- Wrap your dominant arm around the person’s neck as you move behind them.
- Your elbow should be under the person’s chin with your bicep and forearm on either side of the neck.
- Place your other hand behind the person’s head.
- Squeeze your bicep and forearm closed and push the person’s head forwards with your other arm.
- Hold the choke for 10-20 seconds and slowly lower the person to the ground.
- You can also subdue your opponent by jabbing them in the eyes, striking their nose with your palm, or kneeing them in the groin.^{[9]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mark Vinci
  Self Defense Trainer
  Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Taking Down a Wrestling Opponent

1
Watch your opponent. Observe your challenger’s movements, and pay attention to how they react to your motions. Watch for times when they get off balance or exposes himself by raising his center of gravity.^{[10]
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- Move around the mat keeping a constant eye on your opponent.
- Test your opponent’s reactions by moving towards him from different angles.
- Look for weaknesses in the way they respond to your movement.
2
Plan your takedown move. Depending on the type of wrestler you are facing, different moves may provide more success for a takedown.
- A “Duck Under” requires you to move under your opponent’s arm as they approach and quickly grab him around the waist from behind. Keep one arm straight out in front of your opponent as you move behind your him; wrap your other arm around his waist from behind. Once you have a hold on your opponent, flip him onto the mat by falling back and swinging him with you.
- A “Double Leg” takedown involves grabbing both legs of your opponent around mid-thigh and pulling them up and towards you to force your opponent onto his back. Approach your opponent from the front and grab both legs at once. Be careful not to lower your head or you become vulnerable.
- Use a “Single Leg Takedown” to quickly take a shot at your opponent’s front leg as you face each other, lift it off the ground and knock him down by attacking the other leg. Grab the leg that is closest to you and pull it up. Use your feet to sweep his other foot off the mat while you push him off balance with the leg you are holding.
3
Execute your takedown quickly. Move fast to prevent your opponent from having time to counter your move. Slow, hesitant motions are easier to anticipate and block.
- Commit to the takedown, and follow through with your attack.
- Don’t stop your move until the referee calls the point or a penalty.
4
Recover quickly to prepare your next move. After a takedown, you need to reset your stance quickly. Expect your opponent to counter attack to score against you after a takedown.
- Set your legs in a defensive position.
- Be ready to take a shot at your opponent if they provide an opening.
- Prepare yourself to counter any aggressive moves by your opponent.

What Are An Attacker's Main Weak Spots?

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you defend yourself in a fight?

Mark Vinci
Self Defense Trainer
Mark Vinci is the director of Model Mugging Self Defense, the original adrenaline stress training system that developed the padded assailant in 1971. The program was founded from studying thousands of assaults, drawing from numerous disciplines, and applying this information with martial arts and martial science teaching methodologies. In the mid 1990’s Mark consolidated the Model Mugging System into the Five Principles of Self Defense© while updating the criminology research and curriculum. He has law enforcement, military, and martial arts background, and a master’s degree in forensic psychology.

Mark Vinci

Self Defense Trainer

Expert Answer

Strike your opponent with the intent to subdue them fast. Try a groin kick, nose strike, or eye jab to get them to back off.

Warnings

Be aware of any regulations in your wrestling league involving illegal takedowns to avoid penalties.

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Never stamp on the head, because this is illegal to do, could possibly kill the person, and can end up getting you in trouble.

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Never use a choke hold on persons with heart conditions or breathing difficulties.

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Engaging in violence may be dangerous and is illegal, unless it's done for self-defense, apprehending the suspect outside his or her property for clearly doing something illegal (especially when it's a felony), or arresting people as a police officer. Avoid fighting at all if possible.

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