Ankle Pick

Also known as: Collar-Tie Ankle Pick · Kibisu Gaeshi

Snap the head down with a collar tie (or collar grip) and pick the same-side ankle as their weight loads onto it — a low-risk, high-percentage takedown.

Takedown · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 2/5 · Usually learned at White belt

Starts from Clinch as the either grappler → lands in Side Control.

The details that make it work

1. The collar tie DOWNWARD pressure loads their lead foot; pick the ankle their weight is standing on.
2. Attack the ankle at mat level with a deep step — reach down, don’t bend over.
3. Drive the head over the picked foot: they fall because their post is in your hand.

Where it goes wrong

• Picking an unweighted foot, which simply steps away.

How opponents counter it

• Posture up and circle the loaded foot back
• Snap-down counter as the picker bends

Is the Ankle Pick legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Related techniques

• Single Leg Takedown
• Snap Down
• Osoto Gari

All moves from Clinch · Back to Grapplepedia