Foundations of Wrestling and Takedowns from John Danaher’s Standing2Ground (FREE Premium Post)
PREMIUM NOTES: Standing2Ground by John Danaher
Hey there!
One of my biggest challenges in BJJ has always been wrestling. That's why I've embarked on a mission to master it and learn how to wrestle effectively.
I realize some of you might be high-level wrestlers and might find this issue a bit basic. However, I can only write about what I'm currently studying, and for the past few months, that's been wrestling and takedowns. So, apologies if this seems too elementary for some.
I’ve been training for over a decade but only had two reliable takedowns that work on average opponents. Delving deeper into wrestling, I've discovered that the real issue lies in the way I was taught takedowns.
Often, when a BJJ practitioner teaches wrestling, it's presented as a sequence performed on a passive opponent. However, against an actively resisting opponent, much of this theoretical knowledge falls short. The inability to execute a double leg isn't just bad timing; it's that the traditional teaching method doesn’t hold up in practice. The actual double-leg takedown sequence is just a small part of what's necessary to succeed against a skilled opponent.
The solution? Start from the basics. Learn and master foundational aspects of wrestling that go beyond the actual takedown: hand-fighting, stance, position, setups, kuzushi, unbalancing, etc.
The best resource I've found, especially for BJJ practitioners like myself, is John Danaher’s Standing2Ground Series.
I’m studying it thoroughly, ensuring I understand each part and have enough time to test and practice as I go along.
This leads me to what I want to share with you:
Below are my unedited notes from Standing2Ground DVD #1. I considered distilling them, but as someone who's not yet a great wrestler, I thought you'd find the complete notes more valuable. They're extensive, and I usually reserve this level of detail for premium subscribers only, but I’m feeling generous this week 😂
Standing2Ground by John Danaher DVD #1
For premium subscribers: Stay tuned for my notes from the remaining 7 DVDs, coming soon.
Cheers! I hope you find this useful.
P.S.
I'm also adding a GIF of my unsuccessful attempt at a Superduck last week. LOL. If you have any tips, please share them! I need all the help I can get!
