power double

Power double is the wrestling-derived name for the blast double — the high-explosive variant of the double-leg takedown in which the attacker penetrates deeply with both arms simultaneously, driving through the opponent’s hips to lift and finish.

Etymology. “Power” describes the explosive force application that defines the variant — distinct from the standard double-leg, which can be set up patiently or finished from a lower-tempo entry. The term predominates in American folkstyle and freestyle wrestling vocabulary, where the blast variant is associated with high-pressure scoring and short-time-window scrambles. The Olympic and collegiate wrestling traditions treat “power double” and “blast double” as interchangeable labels for the same shot, with regional preferences across coaching networks.

Mechanics. The shot requires a deep level change, an explosive forward drive through both hips, and a head-positioning behind the lead arm to clear the opponent’s defensive frame. Level change is the prerequisite for the penetration; without dropping the hips below the opponent’s centre of gravity, the explosive drive cannot transfer through to the lift-and-finish that distinguishes the power double from a stalled double-leg attempt.

Cross-reference. “Blast double” and “drive double” are interchangeable wrestling labels for the same shot. Full mechanical coverage on Blast Double.