Why are there so many leg attacks in MMA? Because leg attacks offer the highest percentage takedown. However, lowering your level for a double- or single-leg can still leave you vulnerable for a knee to the face or the risk of being flattened by an opponent’s sprawl. If you want less risk, look to the trip. The inside trip uses a common upper-body clinch and good positioning to open up a high-percentage takedown attempt that limits negative consequences.
In this MMA 101, former All-American wrestlers Chad Mendes and Lance Palmer show readers how to set up and finish a variation of the inside trip.
1. Lance and Chad square-off in orthodox stances.
2. Chad throws a one-two combo (right hook pictured) to close the distance. You can throw any number of combos to close the gap.
3. Chad locks in an over-under. Chad’s left arm overhooks Lance’s right arm (notice Chad’s grip on the triceps). Chad digs an underhook with his right arm. Chad’s right leg is forward and splitting Lance’s legs.
4. Chad shoots forward and sweeps his heel in a clockwise motion to trap Lance’s foot in the crook of his knee. Chad simultaneously moves his head to the right side and cinches his right arm (elbow deep) around Lance’s left thigh. Chad maintains a tight grip on Lance’s right triceps and uses his upper body to drive through Lance.
5. Chad finishes the takedown by driving though into Lance’s guard.
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