TAKEDOWN STRATEGY

1. Relax when you are out of range. Being tense takes valuable energy.
2. Keep a proper body position (stance) when you are in range, especially when you are walking into a man. Don't stand straight up or with your hands near your head.
3. Never take a shot if your opponent is farther than arms length away.
4. Never shoot a takedown without first destroying your opponent's stance. Set up all takedowns!
5. If you tie up, control all tie-ups and fight for the inside position. If you can't control a tie-up, don't tie-up!
6. When moving, step with the foot in the direction you are going. Never cross your feet.
7. Keep moving your feet in short (about 12") steps, constantly changing your lead foot and never developing a pattern.
8. Concentrate on getting the deepest penetration possible when you shoot. Aim a few feet behind your opponent.
9. Keep your head inside and tight when you step to your opponent's outside and place your head outside and tight when stepping to the inside of his legs.
10. Never allow your head to get lower than your hips (overextended), even while you are in motion.
11. Never allow both of your knees to touch the mat at the same time. Always keep a trailing foot behind for support.
12. When attacking the legs, never stay on one knee any longer than necessary. Either follow-through or withdraw IMMEDIATELY!
13. If possible, take your opponent to his back on your follow-through.
14. When withdrawing, keep to the inside with proper body position and take small steps.
15. If you are taken down by your opponent, land with your props wide and extended outward. Your arms should be slightly forward, never down and backwards. Also, your hips should be parallel to the mat and lower than your head. Then hit an offensive maneuver as quickly as possible. Takedowns are not awarded until control has been firmly established.
16. When countering takedowns, stay off of your knees and use your weight to stop your opponent's motion and destroy his body position.