BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 11 – Rear Takedowns

Warm Up (5min)

1. Solo Drills
   • Backwards Break Fall
   • Side Break Fall
2. Partner Drills
   • Standard Arm Drag
   • Ankle Block Arm Drag

Lesson (25min)

Knee Block Breakdown

1. Start in a standing rear body lock
2. Step in front of uke’s legs so that your knee blocks their knee
3. Push uke’s upper body forwards to get their hands on the mat
4. Step further around to uke’s side and pull their hips to the mat
5. Take uke’s back by throwing hooks in and establishing a seat belt grip

Ankle Pick Takedown

1. Start in a standing rear body lock
2. Uke separates your hands
3. Lower your level and drop to a knee
4. Reach for uke’s far side ankle, with your other hand holding uke’s hip
5. Drive forward through uke’s hip while holding their ankle in place to finish the takedown

Tani-Otoshi – Safety

1. Start in a standing rear body lock
2. Position your hips behind uke’s legs
   • For safety, it is important that you don’t initiate the takedown from in front of uke
3. Extend one of your legs (heel on the mat) and drop your hips to the mat to take uke down
   • Ensure your bodyweight moves to the empty space on the mat and not towards uke’s legs
   • Do NOT try to block uke’s legs

Tani-Otoshi – Technique Detail

1. Start in a standing rear body lock
2. Move your head to the side of uke’s body, so that your ear is just behind their shoulder / lat muscle
   • This step makes it so that uke doesn’t land on top of you after the takedown
3. Position your hips behind uke’s legs
4. Extend one of your legs (heel on the mat) and drop your hips to the mat to take uke down
5. Establish side control by switching your legs so that your hips and chest point downwards