MMA is packed with takedown techniques that you can resort to when you find an opening. One of the most ignored yet effective takedown techniques is the ankle pick. You find it Judo, you find it in BJJ, and it’s very common in wrestling. So what exactly is the ankle pick and when should you use it?
The ankle pick is a takedown technique where you grab the ankle of the opponent and pull it in one direction. With the other hand, you push your opponent’s body in the other direction to cause them to lose balance. It is so simple anybody can do it yet it is very effective which brings up the question, why is it not used more often in MMA?
That said, the ankle pick system, as you might expect is not ideal for just about any situation. It needs to have many variables in place at the right time. Do it a fraction of a second early or too late and it is not as effective as you’d want it to be. So let’s break down the ankle pick in MMA and see how you can use it to your advantage.
The Ankle Pick System
The ankle pick is more commonly used in wrestling more than any other MMA sport. So no matter what discipline you’re training in, when it comes to learning the ankle pick system, it’s wrestlers you need to set your eyes on. Champs such as Jordan Burroughs, Nate Patrick, and Cael Sanderson are masters of this technique.
In fact, Cael Sanderson loved this technique so much that he became known for it. Watch him in the ring and in no time he will find an opportunity to get down on one knee, reach for the opponent’s ankle and push them in the other direction and bring them down. The thing, he makes it look so easy.
But the ankle pick system is far from being easy. Only the true masters of the technique know how to prepare for it and push the game toward that. The key of course is in the setup and how to push the opponent in that tight corner, figuratively speaking of course, and force their weight on one leg. Yes, that same leg you plan to pull.
As we will see later, you have to follow a certain sequence of events that you start in order to achieve the end result. The best part is, this is a low risk technique. You’re not opening yourself to any counter attacks especially if you do it right. And even if it goes wrong, the worst that could happen is, you’re left staring at your opponent as they try to recover their balance quickly.
How to Set it up
As we stated, the success of the maneuver relies on a proper setup. This is why you need to watch the wrestling champions work their way to getting the ankle pick just right. In general you can use either a double leg or single leg takedown as a precursor to the ankle pick takedown. But as usual that’s easier said than done. Also remember that the ankle pick doesn’t leave you vulnerable to a chokehold the way a failed double leg or single leg takedown attempts do.
Some sports make it easier than others to set up and execute the ankle pick takedown. In BJJ for example, the very act of grappling and the fact that your opponent is wearing a Gi, these give you lots of opportunities to set up and perform a very effective and successful ankle pick takedown. So how do you go about doing that?
You start with the collar. This is your opening move. You establish a good grip on the collar or an underhook. Make sure you’re facing the leg or ankle you will be attacking. Now drop to your knee quickly while still holding that collar. See how that can and will cause the opponent to get on the defense as their whole posture goes awry?
The rival’s head comes down quickly because you’re pulling at their collar. And now you’re on the same level as they knee. The weight of the rival is fully on that leg nearest to you. And that’s exactly how you want it. Now with the free hand reach for that vulnerable ankle and pull it. Now the domino chain starts falling literally speaking.
You can finish this with either a single or double leg takedown. You have the opponent helplessly off balance and practically under your mercy. Your way is clear to a glorious finish that ends the game right then and there. Nothing could be any simpler, right? Well, not exactly. Lots of things could go wrong.
Tips for Getting the Ankle Pick Right
As with every other technique you practice and master, you need to have all variables and moving parts in the right place for the technique to go without a hitch. Although on paper it looks easy, as we all know, in the ring or on the mat, the situation is always fluid. Any slight change in your balance or a counter movement from the opponent can send your plans up in smoke.
Grappling is key to getting your ankle pick technique right. Since it’s common in many MMA sports, then you should focus on your grappling techniques first before you try to master the ankle pick maneuver. And as is the case with many techniques there’s always room for improvements and ways you can add your personal flair to it and make it your signature move. Here are some tips to help you get this technique right.
- Always pay attention to the setup. It’s an important part of the whole technique. If you get it right, the rest becomes easy.
- The key to ankle picks is a proper changing of levels. Remember, you are moving downward and grabbing the rival’s neck along with you. If you don’t get this changing of levels right, you’ll land on your knee awkwardly and blow up your chance.
- Tie ups are considered a great starting point that leads to a successful ankle pick. With so many tie ups available, choose the one that best suits your skills and individual needs and go with it.
- Always go for the front leg. This is usually the leg nearest to you. Make sure the opponent’s body weight is resting fully on that leg and start working on it.
- Speed is crucial for the success of this maneuver. You don’t want to give the opponent any clues as to what you’re about to do. If you take longer to set it up, the rival will have enough time to recover and come up with counter measures.
- The ankle pick can either be a backup maneuver for when your double leg or single leg takedowns fail or it can be a lead in for either of those takedowns.
- Focus on the opponent’s posture. You need to break it to make it almost impossible for them to recover.
- The knee drop is crucial. You have to be in full control before you execute the knee drop. You can use your grip on the opponent’s collar as leverage but it’s always best to rely on your own strength and balance.
- The ankle pull is important. Make sure you pull it forward and out. Never to the back. This makes it easier for the rival to lose their balance.
Mistakes to Avoid
Many beginners go to the ring or the mat thinking they got this ankle pick thing down by heart. All they have to do is just grab the rival, reach for the leg and down they go. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as that. A lot of things could go wrong. And even though the ankle pick maneuver is low risk and doesn’t leave you exposed, you still would want to execute it flawlessly to finish the match then and there. So what could go wrong?
Bad setup for one. You don’t wait for the right moment to go for the ankle pick. A good grip of the collar of the rival is the first step. If you do it awkwardly or try to go down on your knee without having a firm grip, then things will not go your way.
The same thing goes for when you try to go for the ankle when you’re not close to it. Your pull will not be as powerful as you hope and the opponent will find it easy to evade this trap by shifting their weight quickly to the other leg.
Make sure to always go for the front leg. Some players anxious not to let the opportunity to do an ankle pick slip away will go for the leg available to them. That’s a big mistake. The player’s body weight is usually on the front leg and trying to pull a back leg forward is harder than you think.