Blast Double

Last updated: May 26, 2026

What is a blast double leg takedown?

The blast double leg is a power-based version of the double leg takedown used across wrestling, mixed martial arts, and submission grappling. Rather than dropping deep to one knee and cutting the corner like a traditional double leg, the attacker stays in a relatively athletic stance, explodes off both legs, and runs through the opponent.

The technique has clear wrestling roots and carried over into MMA as the sport’s grappling crossover deepened. According to Evolve MMA, it works particularly well in mixed martial arts because strikers fight from a higher, narrower stance than dedicated wrestlers do, which gives the attacker a cleaner path to the legs without an exaggerated level change.

The defining components are an arm’s-length distance, a slight knee bend rather than a deep drop, the explosive shot, the head driving into the middle of the opponent’s chest, and both arms wrapping behind the legs to pull them in as the attacker keeps driving forward. Fans most often encounter the term in fight commentary, wrestling highlights, and training breakdowns.

How the blast double leg works

Minimal level change paired with maximum forward drive is what sets the blast double apart. A standard double leg asks the attacker to drop deep, often planting the lead knee, and then steer the opponent sideways. The blast double skips that drop. According to Fanatic Wrestling, the attacker swaps the traditional penetration step for an explosive burst out of a bent-knee stance, attacking both legs in a single forward motion.

Head position is the second giveaway. On a blast double, the crown of the head connects with the opponent’s chest, usually around the sternum. MMA and grappling coach David Avellan compares the contact point to where a player strikes a soccer ball with their head, the upper chest near the solar plexus, which keeps the attacker’s neck in a strong position and lets them apply torque to fold the opponent.

The hands wrap behind the knees or upper hamstrings and pull the legs straight into the attacker’s body. The attacker keeps driving until the opponent’s back hits the mat. The direction of force is the cleanest visual cue: a standard double leg drives across, a blast double drives through.

Blast double leg vs. standard double leg

Both attacks target the same thing, both legs at once, but the mechanics differ. A standard double leg relies on a deep level change and a penetration step. A blast double relies on speed and forward power from a higher stance. The trade-off is straightforward: the standard double offers more control on the finish, the blast double offers more surprise and is harder for an upright striker to see coming.

Feature	Blast double leg	Standard double leg
Level change	Slight knee bend, athletic stance	Deep drop, often to lead knee
Penetration step	None, explosive forward burst	Traditional penetration step
Head position	Crown into opponent’s chest (inside)	Usually outside the opponent’s hip
Direction of force	Drives through the opponent	Drives across, lifts and turns
Best use case	High-stance opponent (MMA striker)	Lower-stance opponent or pure grappling match

Wrestlers and MMA fighters often carry both variations and pick between them based on the opponent’s stance, distance, and how the exchange has been going.

Where the blast double leg shows up

Freestyle wrestling is the technique’s home. Olympic gold medallist Jordan Burroughs, one of the most decorated American freestyle wrestlers of his generation, is widely cited as the modern face of the blast double. BJJ Fanatics calls him “the king of the blast double leg,” and his highlight reels are full of it.

The technique crossed into MMA through the same wrestler-first fighters who built the sport’s grappling foundation. Ben Askren, the former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion and an NCAA Division I wrestler, is one of the more recognisable MMA names associated with it. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling, wrestler-grapplers use the blast double in both gi and no-gi, with athletes like Gracie Barra black belt and former Ohio State wrestler AJ Agazarm known for hitting it in high-profile matches.

Common misconceptions about the blast double leg

The first is that it is just running at someone. It is not. The head, hand, and drive positions all have specific placements, and getting any of them wrong turns a clean takedown into a face-plant or a counter.

The second is that the blast double is always the better choice. Both versions have real trade-offs. According to Evolve MMA, the attacker is vulnerable to knees and uppercuts on the way in, and BJJEE notes that poor head and posture position invites a guillotine choke on the finish.

The third is that the blast double is only for big, explosive athletes. Per BJJEE, the opposite is often true: taller, less flexible grapplers who struggle with deep level changes often find the blast double easier to set up than a traditional shot because it requires less drop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called the “blast” double leg?

The name describes the visual: the attacker explodes forward into the opponent in a single burst rather than slowly dropping levels and steering them down. The motion looks closer to a football tackle than a classic wrestling shot.

Is the blast double leg the same as a power double?

Often, yes. Older wrestling material sometimes calls it a power double, but most modern coaches treat the two names as the same technique. Usage varies between gyms and traditions.

Is the blast double leg legal in MMA?

Yes. It is a standard takedown in every major MMA promotion, with no rule treating it differently from any other double leg attempt.

Is a blast double easier than a regular double leg?

For tall or less flexible athletes who struggle to drop into a deep level change, often yes. For shorter, more agile wrestlers who like to cut angles, the standard double can be easier. Body type and timing matter more than the technique itself.

What is the biggest risk of attempting a blast double leg?

Two risks stand out. The first is being countered with a knee or uppercut on the way in. The second is exposing the neck if the head and posture are wrong on the entry, which opens up the guillotine choke.

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Sources

1. Evolve MMA. “How To Set Up The Blast Double Takedown In MMA.” Accessed May 2026.
2. BJJ Eastern Europe. “Why The Blast Double Leg Needs To Be Your #1 Takedown Choice.” Accessed May 2026.
3. MiddleEasy. “How to Perfect the Blast Double Takedown in MMA.” Accessed May 2026.
4. NAGA Fighter. “What is a Double Leg Takedown?” Accessed May 2026.
5. Fanatic Wrestling. “Six Types Of Double Legs All Wrestlers Should Know.” Accessed May 2026.
6. FloWrestling. “Doubles Are Worth The Trouble. Which One Is Best For You?” Accessed May 2026.
7. David Avellan. “Blast Double Leg.” Accessed May 2026.
8. BJJ Fanatics. “BEST Double Leg Takedown BJJ Techniques: Basics to Advanced.” Accessed May 2026.

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