Ankle Pick

What it is

The ankle pick is a takedown where you pull your opponent's head down off a collar tie, so they step forward and put weight on the lead foot, then drop and pick that ankle while you drive their head back over it. With the foot gone and the head going back, they sit down. It is a low-risk takedown because you never shoot under them.

When to use it

• You have a collar tie and they are pushing forward into you.
• They stand with their weight on the lead foot and their head forward.
• After a snap down, when they lift their head and step forward to recover.

How to do it

1. Take a collar tie, hand on the back of their head, elbow down and in.
2. Pull their head down and forward so they step and put weight on their lead foot.
3. Drop your level by bending your knees, stepping in with your back straight and head up.
4. Grab the back of that ankle with your free hand and pull it toward you.
5. At the same time, drive their head back over the picked foot with your collar tie hand.
6. As they sit down, let go of the head and step past their legs to side control or knee on belly.

Key details

• Their weight must be on the foot you pick. A light foot just steps away.
• The pick and the push happen at the same moment: ankle toward you, head away.
• Bend your knees to reach the ankle. Bending at the waist leaves you open to a snap down.
• Stay on your feet. You never shoot under them, so a failed pick leaves you standing.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: reaching for the ankle before they step forward. They lift the foot and you are bent over in front of them.
• Mistake: picking the ankle without pushing the head. They hop on one leg and stay standing.
• Mistake: diving to the mat after the ankle. They sprawl on you or take a front headlock.

What they will try

• They step the foot back as you reach and snap your head down.
• They clear the collar tie before you pull, so the head never comes forward.

Gi and no-gi

The ankle pick is the same in gi and no-gi. In the gi a collar or lapel grip can replace the collar tie, which gives you a stronger pull.