High Crotch (Head-on-the-Outside Single Leg) Takedown Guide for Beginners & Parents
- Keep Kids Wrestling Non-Profit
- Sep 21
- 23 min read
Introduction to the High Crotch Takedown
The high crotch (often called a “hi-C” or head-outside single leg) is a takedown where you attack one of your opponent’s legs with your head positioned to the outside of their hipofftackleempire.com. It’s essentially a variation of the single-leg takedown that combines the deep penetration step of a double-leg with the control of a single-leg fanaticwrestling.com. This move is popular because of its versatility and scoring potential – you can initiate it from many setups and often surprise your opponent fanaticwrestling.com.
Why use it? For young wrestlers, the high crotch is a fundamental attack that can pay off when executed correctly. It works especially well when an opponent has one leg forward in their stance (often when you and your opponent lead with opposite legs) lowkickmma.com. A well-timed high crotch can put you in position to score two points for a takedown and dictate the pace of the match. Coaches and classic manuals emphasize that success comes from mastering all phases of the takedown – the setup, the penetration, and the finish. Skipping one of these components makes the move less effective. In the sections below, we’ll break down each phase step-by-step, then cover finishes, common mistakes, counters, and coaching tips for parents.
Setup Phase – Creating the Opening
Before shooting a high crotch, a wrestler needs to break the opponent’s stance or position to create an opening. The goal in this phase is to get your opponent off-balance or distracted so they’re vulnerable to a leg attack. Here are key points for a good setup:
Inside Control & Ties: Gain hand control or ties that give you leverage. For example, you might secure a collar tie with one hand while controlling the opponent’s arm with your other hand. Many takedowns, including the high crotch, start from inside tie positions – controlling inside the opponent’s arms – because this position lets you dictate their posture (fanaticwrestling.com). Wrestlers often use collar ties, underhooks, two-on-one ties (Russian ties), or wrist grips to control the opponent and set up the shot.
Level Change: Bend your knees and lower your hips to drop your level before you shoot. This is critical – changing levels helps you avoid telegraphing your shot and makes it easier to penetrate under the opponent’s defense (bjj-world.com). A common beginner mistake is reaching for the leg without dropping levels, which alerts the opponent and makes the shot easy to block.
Movement and Misdirection: Try to make your opponent step heavy on the leg you want to attack. You can snap down on their head, tug an arm, or push and pull to get them moving. For instance, pulling your opponent’s arm on one side can make them step that leg forward – creating a prime target. Classic wrestling drills emphasize motion: by circling or feinting, you might get the opponent to overreact. When they do, their stance may weaken or their weight shifts, allowing you to shoot in.
Open the Window: As Olympic coach Bobby Douglas stressed, the setup is about creating that moment to shoot. A good example is an elbow lift setup: you control your opponent’s elbow and suddenly lift and turn it to pop their arm up. This opens a “window” between their arms and legs for you to shoot through. Another example is using a two-on-one tie to pull the opponent forward and down; as they pull back, you release and shoot under that arm. The key is timing – when you feel them react or step heavy, that’s your cue to shoot.
Remember, young wrestlers should practice patience in the setup phase. It’s often worth taking a few seconds to hand-fight and create a good angle rather than shooting blindly. As the USA Wrestling Syllabus (by Stan Dziedzic) outlines, every takedown consists of three phases – setup, attack, and finish – and each can be drilled separately to build skill. Encourage your wrestler to recognize when a good opportunity presents itself rather than forcing shots.
Penetration Step – Shooting in Deep
Once the opening is there, it’s time for the penetration step – this is the actual “shot” where you drive in for the leg. Proper execution here is crucial for beginners. The penetration for a high crotch is similar to a double-leg drop step, but your head goes to the outside of their hip instead of between their legs. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
Step and Drop: Step in with your lead foot (the foot on the same side as the leg you’re attacking) and change levels simultaneously (offtackleempire.com). For example, if you’re attacking their right leg with a high crotch, you might step your left foot between their feet. As you step, bend your lead knee and drop your trailing knee to the mat – this is often called a drop step or knee dip. Penetrate deep so that your knee lands close to or slightly past the opponent’s foot, and your body is moving under their center of gravity.
Head Position: Keep your head up and tight against the opponent’s body on the outside of their hip or ribcage. For a high crotch on their right leg, your head should end up by the outside of their right hip (your head will be on the left side of their body). Having the head up and to the outside is important – it helps you drive into your opponent and avoids putting your head between their legs. (Head-between-the-legs is a different finish; here we specifically want head on the outside for this move (offtackleempire.com.) A high head also protects you from being sprawled on or getting caught in a front headlock (bjj-world.com). Eyes forward! – Looking at the leg or mat will make you lose power and invites the opponent to stuff your head.
Arm Deep Through the Crotch: As you drop and step in, reach with your arms to secure the leg. Your back arm (the arm on the side of your trailing leg) should shoot deep between the opponent’s legs, reaching for high on their thigh near the crotch. Imagine you are almost “uppercutting” between their legs. At the same time, your front arm wraps around the outside of their knee. In a correct high crotch, your hands will end up locking around your opponent’s leg just above the knee or on the lower thigh (fanaticwrestling.com) (offtackleempire.com). A common teaching is to lock your hands (or grab your own wrist) once you’re around their leg (lowkickmma.com). By reaching deep, you ensure a tight grip – as one coach quipped, “grab the leg high in the crotch, not down by the ankle!” This high grip gives you more control.
Foot Position and Posture: Your trail leg should slide up off the mat quickly, so you come off your knee and drive forward. After the initial drop, pop up onto your feet in a strong stance under your opponent. Ideally, you end with your legs bent, hips in, back straight, and head up against their side. Your positioning should be like a sturdy tripod: head pressing into their side, and both of your legs under you for base. Keeping a good posture here makes all the difference – it allows you to lift or drive with power and prevents the opponent from easily pushing your head down.
Drive Forward: Continue to drive with your feet to push into the opponent. Even as you lock the leg, don’t freeze – a common beginner error is stopping after grabbing the leg. Instead, immediately generate force by driving with your shoulder and legs into the opponent’s hip. This off-balances them and prevents them from regaining a solid stance. Think of it like tackling through the opponent – you want to keep momentum.
Drilling Tip: Beginners can practice the penetration step in isolation. Coaches often use foam pads or partners’ hands as targets: start in stance, level change, drop step, and freeze in the lunge position to check that head, knee, and foot positions are correct. Remember that according to USA Wrestling, penetration and level change are foundational skills – for example, a youngster must practice changing levels and penetrating before they can execute a full takedown properly. It’s normal if the movement feels awkward at first; with repetition it becomes smoother. In fact, one source notes that the penetration step is where “most beginners make their mistakes” on shots (bjj-world.com), so pay extra attention to getting this part right.
Diagram: A wrestler (in red) executes a high crotch takedown by stepping deeply between the opponent’s legs and grabbing high on the leg. The attacker’s head is positioned on the outside of the opponent’s hip, and his arms are locked around the opponent’s thigh just above the knee. From here, he will drive and lift to finish the takedown. This head-outside position and deep penetration are key to a successful high crotch.
Finish Options – Turning the Shot into Points
After securing your opponent’s leg with a deep shot, the next challenge is finishing the takedown. In wrestling, it’s often said that “the finish is the most complicated phase of the single leg” – this is where technique and persistence pay off. With a high crotch, there are several effective finishes. We will cover three common options for beginners:
1. Running the Pipe (Cutting the Corner): This is a classic single-leg finish that works for high crotch as well. “Running the pipe” means you turn your body like you’re twisting a pipe or steering a wheel, using the captured leg as the fulcrum. From the high crotch position: keep hold of the opponent’s leg tight to your chest, step back and pivot in a circle away from the leg you have (if you have their right leg, you’ll circle to your left). At the same time, pull the leg toward you and into a circular motion. Think of making them hop on one foot until they fall. As you circle, drive your shoulder into their thigh and dip your head slightly into their hip to bump them off balance (fanaticwrestling.com) (fanaticwrestling.com). The opponent will feel their captured leg being turned and their weight shifting over that leg – eventually they’ll have to hit the mat. A source describes this finish: “step to the side and drive your shoulder into their leg to finish the takedown.”(lowkickmma.com) In practice, it looks like you’re rotating around your opponent while holding their leg, forcing them to spiral down. Tip: Keep your back straight and don’t let go of the leg until they’re on the mat and you’re coming on top. Running the pipe is effective and safe for young wrestlers because it doesn’t require lifting the opponent off the ground.
2. Lifting (Treetop Finish): Another option is to lift the opponent’s leg up high and then knock them over. From the high crotch, adjust your grip if needed so you can raise their captured leg. Usually you’ll transition your grip to around the opponent’s lower leg/ankle for better leverage once you stand up. Now, stand up tall while holding the leg, effectively bringing their foot off the mat. Beginners can then do a few things to finish: one is to trip the standing leg – for example, use your foot to kick out their one leg that’s still on the mat, or turn and sweep their far leg with your own leg. Another method is the “treetop” where you simply lift the leg high (like holding a tree trunk) and keep walking forward or in a circle, forcing them to hop until they lose balance. Lifting takes some strength and balance, but it often results in a decisive takedown because your opponent is literally on one foot hopping. Be sure to keep your head up and hips in while lifting (don’t bend over, or you might get flipped or lose the leg). As an example of a lift finish: step in deeply and hoist their leg, then rotate your body and push them backward, causing them to fall (lowkickmma.com). Many young wrestlers love this finish because it feels powerful – just ensure they also learn to do it safely (no slamming, just controlled trips).
3. Cutting Across to a Double: This is often taught as the preferred finish at higher levels, and it’s great for beginners to learn as well. “Cutting across” means you switch from a single-leg hold to a double-leg tackle mid-move. In a high crotch, you started with your head on the outside and one leg secured. To cut across, you will pivot and bring your head to the inside and grab the opponent’s far leg as well. Here’s how: from the deep shot, drive in to get the opponent stepping back. Then “change direction” by taking a little hop or step toward the opposite side of their body and shooting your head across to their stomach. As you do this, your free arm (the one that was around their thigh) releases and reaches for their other leg. Now you effectively convert to a double-leg tackle position (head between their legs or on their belly, hugging both legs). From there, drive at a 45° angle to take them down like a normal double-leg. Bobby Douglas’s manual illustrates this well: after the high crotch entry, lift the opponent’s arm out of the way and “go into the high inside crotch position”, then immediately turn the corner and secure the far leg for a double-leg finish. By cutting across, you take away many of the opponent’s defenses (they can’t whizzer effectively anymore once you have both legs). Often coaches will yell “cut to a double!” as soon as a wrestler hits a high crotch. The ideal outcome is you blast across and drive them straight to their back or side for the takedown. This finish does require timing, but it’s worth practicing. In fact, the high crotch takedown naturally “affords two methods” – either finish single or convert to a double. Many top wrestlers immediately cut to a double because it feels more secure.
Each finish has its place, and as your wrestler progresses, they can learn which to use when. For beginners: running the pipe is usually the first finish taught for a single leg – it’s technical but not too strength-dependent. Cutting across to a double might come next as their footwork improves. Lifting finishes can be introduced with emphasis on control. Encourage your child to practice all three in drilling so they become comfortable with multiple options. As Bobby Douglas pointed out in The Takedown, knowing only one move isn’t enough – you should have several “second moves” (finishes) from each setup.
Also, finishing is an attitude: teach young wrestlers to keep driving and adjusting until the opponent is down. It’s common for beginners to shoot in and then stall out, unsure how to complete the takedown. Reinforce that once they’re in on the leg, they must stay relentless (but composed) – if one finish attempt fails, switch to another. For example, if they try to run the pipe and the opponent balances, they can quickly try lifting instead, or cut across to a double if the opponent over-commits their weight.
Coaching Tips for Young Wrestlers (Parent-Facing)
For many parents new to wrestling, it can be challenging to help a child learn moves like the high crotch. Here are some coaching tips in plain language to support your beginner wrestler:
Emphasize Basics First: Legendary coaches stress that solid fundamentals (stance, level change, penetration) are the building blocks of every move. Encourage your child to get those elements right before worrying about fancy finishes. For example, you can have them practice lowering their level and stepping into a shot in slow motion at home. Make a game of it – “How quietly can you touch your knee to the ground?” – to instill a smooth, deep penetration step. Once their position and balance in the shot are good, the rest will come easier.
Break It into Steps: A young wrestler can get overwhelmed by all the parts of a takedown. So break the high crotch into setup, shot, finish when practicing. Have them drill each phase separately at first. For instance, practice just the setup and level change a few times (without actually shooting), then practice just the penetration step to the leg (shoot in and stop), and finally practice the finish from the deep shot position. This segmentation, as outlined in the US Wrestling syllabus, helps them understand the sequence and build muscle memory step-by-step.
Use Visual Aids and Analogies: Children often learn well from visual cues or comparisons. You might use tape on the floor to show where their feet should step, or have them aim at a target on a punching bag for their level change. Analogies help too: for example, tell them to imagine they are “taking a big penetration step like a knight lunging with a sword” or “holding a tree trunk” when lifting the leg. These mental pictures make the technique more relatable and fun.
Keep It Fun and Positive: At the beginner level, fun should be a big part of practice. Turn drills into mini-games: who can do the most perfect shots in 30 seconds, or “wrestling freeze tag” where they have to touch a leg before the opponent freezes. Praise effort and technique over winning. For example, if your child lost a match but attempted a good high crotch, point out what they did well (“Your level change was excellent that time!”). This positive reinforcement builds their confidence. Remember, the ultimate goal is fostering a love for the sport. A kid who enjoys wrestling will naturally put in the time to get better.
Focus on Safety and Body Position: Teach your child the safe way to wrestle. For the high crotch, that means head up, back straight, hips in – a mantra you can repeat. If you notice in practice they start dropping their head or bending at the waist, gently correct it. Also, ensure they know not to do anything dangerous like slamming during a lift; always finish takedowns with control. If you’re not sure about a technique’s safety, consult the coach – but generally the finishes we listed are safe for youth when done properly.
Encourage Persistence: Wrestling can be tough, and kids might get discouraged if a move isn’t working immediately. Share with them that even champions struggled at first. Remind them that every attempt is a learning experience. If their high crotch doesn’t score in a match, that’s okay – ask, “What did you feel? What could we try next time?” Maybe they needed a deeper step or to switch to a double. By treating “failures” as feedback, you instill a growth mindset. Celebrate the small improvements (like “you got in on the leg this time!”) to keep them motivated.
Leverage Resources: There are plenty of beginner-friendly videos and manuals (some classics by coaches like Bobby Douglas and Stan Dziedzic) that demonstrate moves step-by-step. Watching these with your child can reinforce what they learn in practice. For example, seeing an illustration from Wrestling: The Takedown of a high crotch sequence can be an “aha” moment for both of you. It can also be reassuring for a parent to know the move is taught systematically in these resources – nothing replaces proper coaching in person, but a little homework together can go a long way.
Build a Supportive Environment: Wrestling is an individual sport, but young wrestlers thrive with support. Make sure your child knows you’re proud of them for trying hard, not just for winning. Keep practices and matches in perspective – effort, sportsmanship, and learning are the priorities at this stage. If possible, get involved with the club or team’s parent community. Often there are experienced parents or coaches willing to give tips on how to practice at home or how to handle match-day nerves. Creating a network and an atmosphere of encouragement will help keep your kid wrestling (as our program name suggests) and enjoying the journey.
Common Beginner Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Everyone makes mistakes learning a new move. Here are some common errors beginners make with the high crotch takedown, along with tips to fix them:
Staying Too Tall (No Level Change): A frequent mistake is shooting without bending the knees – the wrestler just reaches for the leg from too far away. This telegraphs the attack and usually fails (bjj-world.com). Fix: Emphasize a deep level change first. Practice dipping the hips low before every shot. A good rule: if your stance isn’t low enough to touch the mat with your hands, you need to lower more. In drilling, have them touch the mat or their opponent’s shoe with their hands before shooting – this ensures they’re low. This way, they shoot under the opponent’s defenses, not into them.
Shooting from Too Far Out: Many kids dive for the leg when there’s too much distance. If you’re too far, you’ll end up flat on your belly or stuck extended with no power (bjj-world.com). Fix: Work on moving closer during the setup. A useful concept is the “penetration step distance” – you should be close enough that one big step puts you in contact. Encourage youngsters to take an extra shuffle step or two while hand-fighting to close the gap before dropping to the knee. If they find they can’t touch the opponent when they drop step, they were too far. Start the shot only when you’re in range (usually an arm’s length or closer).
Not Getting the Head to the Outside/Up: Sometimes beginners end up with their head stuck down or on the wrong side (inside) when they shoot. A downward-looking head invites sprawls, front headlocks, or even guillotine choke attempts (in grappling contexts) (bjj-world.com). Fix: Drill the habit: “Head up, like you’re looking at the ceiling.” One exercise is to have the child hold a tennis ball under their chin as they shoot – if it drops, their head position slipped. As for side, remind them “ear to the hip.” If they shot with head inside by mistake, they can either switch to a conventional single finish or, better yet, redo the rep with correct head position to reinforce muscle memory.
Weak Grip or Arm Placement: Some beginners grab too low on the leg (like at the calf or ankle) during the high crotch shot. This low grip gives them less control, and opponents can kick out or sprawl easier. Fix: Teach them to reach deep between the legs. You can physically mark a spot on their partner’s thigh (tape or hand placement) and tell them “grab here.” Another error is not locking the hands – leaving arms apart reduces your pulling power. Encourage them to lock their hands (gable grip or grab wrist) around the leg the moment they penetrate. A tight lock just above the opponent’s knee makes it much harder for the opponent to slip away (fanaticwrestling.com).
Stopping After the Shot (No Drive): It’s common for a new wrestler to successfully get in on the leg and then freeze, thinking the job is done. In reality, if you don’t keep driving, the opponent can regain balance or counter. Fix: Ingrain the idea of “drive through the finish.” A good drill is the finish run: after shooting in, the wrestler, holding the leg, must take four quick steps forward (even if the partner is providing resistance). This trains them to continue motion. Coaches often yell “keep your feet moving!” – you can echo that at home. Once they feel the difference (an opponent going down when they drive vs. staying up when they stall), they’ll remember to maintain the pressure (bjj-world.com).
Panicking in the Scramble: If a move doesn’t go perfectly, beginners sometimes panic and give up position. For instance, they shoot, and if the opponent starts to sprawl or counter, they might flop to their belly or release the leg out of fear. Fix: Teach them to wrestle through the position. If the opponent sprawls, they shouldn’t immediately let go – instead, they can try to pivot to the side (cut the corner) while still holding the leg. If they lose the leg, they should quickly move to a defensive position (like go to their base) rather than staying flat. This is more about mindset: instill calmness and persistence. Practice “what if” scenarios: “What if he sprawls on your shot? Let’s work on going to a strong single-leg hold on the knee and coming up to finish.” By rehearsing the counters (in a controlled way), your wrestler won’t be shocked or give up when it happens in live sparring.
By correcting these mistakes early, young wrestlers will have a much smoother path to success. Remember, making mistakes is a key part of learning. Encourage them to view mistakes not as failures, but as feedback. After each attempt, they can ask themselves or you: “What felt good? What felt off?” Perhaps their coach or partner can give a pointer. Incremental improvements – like “Hey, this time you got closer before shooting, great job!” – will eventually add up to hitting the move correctly in a live match.
Sources like the Wrestling Drill Book highlight that drills focusing on position, motion, level change, and penetration help eliminate many of these fundamental mistakes. So lots of drilling of basics, even outside of full wrestling context, will sharpen their high crotch execution.
Common Counters and How to React
No move works 100% of the time – opponents will try to counter your wrestler’s high crotch. Beginners should learn not only how to attack, but also how to adjust when the opponent fights back. Here are some common counters an opponent might use against a high crotch, and some tips on how your wrestler can respond:
The Sprawl: This is the number one defense in wrestling. The opponent will throw their legs back and drive their hips down on the attacker’s shoulders, trying to flatten the shot. A well-executed sprawl can stop a shallow high crotch. How to React: First, anticipate it – a wrestler who feels an opponent’s hips heavy should immediately continue the motion before they get completely sprawled out. One strategy is to “cut the corner.” This means angling your body around to the side: if you shot on their right leg, pivot your body to the right while holding the leg, so you get your head and body to the outside. By circling toward the leg you have secured, you avoid taking the full force of the sprawl and can often get to a better angle (around behind the opponent’s hips). Keep your grip tight and head up as you do this. Another reaction is to transition to a different takedown: for instance, if the opponent sprawls hard, you might switch off to a single-leg (head inside) or even a double if you can snag the far leg. Coach Stan Dziedzic demonstrated a “crackdown” finish for when a high crotch is sprawled on – basically, you dump the opponent to a hip and climb up from there (flowrestling.org). That’s a bit advanced, but the key point for beginners: don’t stay directly underneath a sprawl. Either move to the side or, if you’re stuck, work back up to your feet (with the leg if possible). It’s better to come back to neutral than to get flattened and give up a go-behind. So, drill sprawling scenarios with your child: start them in on a leg, have a partner sprawl slowly, and practice the shooter keeping hold and moving around the corner. Over time, they’ll develop the instinct to fight the sprawl rather than concede.
The Whizzer (Overhook Defense): A whizzer is when the opponent throws an overhook on the arm you have between their legs (or over your shoulder) and cranks down, often while turning their hips away (bjj-world.com). It’s a very common counter to single legs and high crotches – basically, the opponent is trying to use that overhook to break your grip and stuff your head down or pull you up. How to React: The whizzer can be troublesome, but there are answers. First, maintain good posture – if you keep your head up and back straight, the whizzer is less effective. Next, one classic remedy is to “run the pipe” in the opposite direction of the whizzer. For example, if they whizzer with their right arm (because you shot on their right leg), they will be twisting your body to your left. You should circle toward your left (i.e., the same direction they’re trying to force you) to relieve pressure, which incidentally is the direction to finish the single. This often lessens their torque and can put you in position to complete the takedown (fanaticwrestling.com) (fanaticwrestling.com). Another tactic: shelf the leg. This means if you have their leg, try to lift it and shelf their ankle on your thigh – this can nullify the whizzer leverage. If you manage to stand with the leg on the outside of your body, the whizzer doesn’t have the same power and you can proceed to a finish (like a trip). Also, use your head as a weapon: drive your head into their ribs or side to create pressure. Sometimes just staying persistent is key – a whizzer might slow you, but if you keep a tight lock and keep advancing, you can still finish. Worst case, if their whizzer is really strong and you feel you’re losing the leg, don’t hang your head (literally). You might bail on the leg but immediately transition to another position (for instance, if they wizard and square up, you could try a double-leg reshot or back out safely and regroup). It’s useful for young wrestlers to experience the whizzer pressure in practice so they learn not to get discouraged by it. One more advanced note: if an opponent whizzers and over-commits their weight, some wrestlers do a move called a whizzer roll or “funk” roll – basically rolling under the opponent. This is not recommended for beginners, as it can lead to dangerous positions. It’s better to stick with the basics: circle, posture up, and finish smartly.
Head Lock or Cross-Face Attempts: With your head on the outside, an opponent might try to lock around your head/arm (head-and-arm throw attempt) or cross-face you (slam their forearm across your face/nose to pry you off). Beginners sometimes panic when they feel pressure on the head. How to React: The best defense is prevention: keep your head tight to their side so they can’t easily get a headlock grip or a solid cross-face. If you feel a cross-face coming, burrow your head into their ribs and slightly toward their back – this makes it hard for them to reach your face. Also, keep your inside elbow in a strong position; if your arm is dangling, they might grab it for a head-and-arm throw. Should they actually cinch a headlock, the situation is more dire – ideally, don’t let that happen by maintaining good head position and hand control. If a cross-face lands, teach your wrestler not to let go in shock (cross-faces can hurt and surprise you). Instead, they should absorb it and continue the finish or immediately switch to another leg. They can also clamp down with their arms to avoid a cross-face turning into a cradle. This is more about toughness – as they gain experience, they’ll learn to work through discomfort.
Opponent Grabbing Your Legs (Counter Offense): Sometimes an experienced opponent will counter-shot – for example, as you’re in on a high crotch, they might reach down and grab one of your legs to create a stalemate or a scramble. How to React: If they grab your leg, you’ve essentially entered a scramble. For beginners, the simplest advice is keep wrestling and don’t let go of their leg. Usually, the wrestler who keeps their grip tighter and continues to move will win that scramble. Sprawling on them while still holding their leg can also help – basically you try to put them down first. Scrambles are complex and mostly come with experience. The main coaching point is don’t give up just because they grabbed you back; stay tight and try to improve your position (e.g., get your legs back, elevate their leg).
Scooting the Hips or Shin Whizzer: Some opponents, instead of a full sprawl, will balance on one leg and turn their knee out, using their shin or knee against your chest (sometimes called a shin whizzer) (offtackleempire.com). This can block you from finishing if you just stay straight on. How to React: The answer here is similar to running the pipe: change the angle. If they turn their knee out, you can try to pull their leg between yours again and step around (almost like doing a little circle to get behind that knee). Also, elevate the leg if possible – a shin whizzer means they’re giving you their foot somewhat; you could reach down and grab their ankle to lift. In general, any time an opponent is balancing on one foot and giving you funky defenses, remember they are one-footed – use that to your advantage by off-balancing them in any direction.
Practice Counter Situations: It’s very beneficial for new wrestlers to do situational drills, like starting in on a high crotch and having the partner apply a certain defense (sprawl, whizzer, etc.) at, say, 50% resistance, so the attacker learns to adjust. This builds the confidence that “even if my first attempt gets slowed, I know how to finish.” Bobby Douglas’s book emphasizes being alert to the countermoves your opponent might make and knowing how to deal with them – this mindset can be instilled early. If your wrestler knows, “Okay, he sprawled – I’m going to cut the corner,” or “He’s whizzering – I’ll circle and keep my grip tight,” they won’t feel helpless when a counter comes.
Finally, always encourage your child to remain calm and persistent when an opponent counters. Wrestling is a game of move and counter-move. By staying composed and using the techniques above, they can often turn a defended shot into a second-effort takedown. And if not, they learn valuable lessons for next time. Each counter they face is making them a smarter, more adaptable wrestler – which is the real end goal of these fundamentals.
Conclusion: The high crotch takedown is a foundational technique that can serve a young wrestler for their entire career. By learning it step-by-step – from setup, to a strong penetration, to a variety of finishes – beginners build not just a single move, but also core skills like level changing, balance, and drive. As a parent or coach of a novice wrestler, use clear, encouraging language and focus on the process of improvement. With practice, your wrestler will start hitting high crotches with confidence. There’s nothing quite like seeing a youngster execute this move in a match: they’ll know all their hard work on fundamentals has paid off as the referee signals two points for the takedown! Good luck, and enjoy the journey of learning wrestling together.
Resources
Sources: High-level wrestling resources and classic manuals were referenced in creating this guide to ensure accuracy and time-tested advice – including Bobby Douglas’s The Takedown for its comprehensive breakdown of setups and finishes, Stan Dziedzic’s United States Wrestling Syllabus for its structured approach to drilling phases, and Dennis Johnson’s Wrestling Drill Book for its emphasis on basic skills (position, motion, level change, penetration) that underlie every successful takedown. These works, along with contemporary coaching insights offtackleempire.com,lowkickmma.com, bjj-world.com, and fanaticwrestling.com, all reinforce the key points in this guide: strong fundamentals and plenty of practice make the high crotch an attainable and effective technique for any young wrestler. Good wrestling!