Single Leg Week: Which Variation Should You Use?
Single Leg Week: Which Variation Should You Use?
Mike Mal goes through the pros and cons of each category of single leg offense.
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Last week we posed the question, "Why underhooks?" The article made the case for underhooks over other control ties as a way of scoring and not being scored upon.
To ask why single legs would be a bit silly. Everyone knows that they should have a solid single leg as a part of their arsenal. However, choosing which single leg that you spend your time on should be a priority before you start putting serious reps in. Below are the categories of single legs. Figure out which set of techniques works best for you or your team.
Keep in mind that we are only talking about Head-Inside Singles. High Crotches and Head-Outside Single Legs are a totally different category to themselves (that's next week).
High Single
Bullet Point Description:
- Offensive wrestler doesn't go down to a knee at all
- Grab the leg
- Keep your head in good position
- Finish
Pros - The upside to a high single is pretty great. If you can get your hands locked around the leg and your head is in solid position your chances of scoring quickly and without a scramble are very high.
Cons - The downside to this simple technique is that in order to get to the leg in a decent position you have to spend a ton of time hand fighting your opponent out of position.
Strait Single
Bullet Point Description:
- Penetration step to the inside of his feet
- Lock your hands high on the leg
- Head up, back straight
- Finish up on your feet or down on the mat
Pros - Because there is a deeper level change involved in this single leg it's a little bit easier to get to than a high single. Also, because you have options on the finish this single is pretty versatile and can be taught and learned by most of the wrestling population.
Cons - Just because you have options on the finish doesn't mean that they're easy. The reaction of the opponent during the initial attack will usually dictate where you finish. If your technique isn't close to perfect it makes finishing problematic because you're having to deal with your opponent’s weight on you too.
Swing/Sweep Single
Bullet Point Description:
- Similar penetration to a straight single
- Then pivot out of the way
- Probably finish on the mat
Pros - The idea behind a swing single or a sweep single is to not be there when your opponent sprawls.
Cons - While the concept behind this attack is sound executing is a bit trickier. First, it does take a bit of speed to cover the distance needed to get behind the guy. Secondly, even if you do manage to get an angle you are going to have to deal a shin whizzer once you get there unless your technique on this shot is flawless.
Low Single
Bullet Point Description:
- Hard level change from the outside
- Penetrate straight forward, as opposed to at a downward trajectory
- Pinky to the forearm on the ground, hand cupping the heal.
- Free hand on the mat for stability
- Front knee under your chest
- Corner of the eye on the inside of the knee cap
- Snatch the leg into you, don’t drive towards it
Pros - If your technique on a low single leg is good, it can be deadly, and you can score quickly and without a scramble.
Cons - Those are big “ifs" . . . the low single has a ton of moving parts to it. If your technique isn't perfect on this attack you’re in for a long day, especially in today’s climate of the sport.
Mindset Behind The Attack
Make no mistake about it, the mindset involved with single legs can have its pros and cons as well. Single legs are easier to get, but harder to finish than, let’s say, a double leg. Because singles are notoriously easier to get to sometimes guys will feel safe just diving in on a leg. That’s not the best course of action. Take a look at the match below.
Short time on the clock, Suriano is up by one, he drops to a leg thinking that he’s safe….. Well, You get the idea. The moral of the story is DON’T fall in love with the idea of simply having a leg in your hands, wrestle to score from this position.
