aliases:
  - arm drags

Arm Drag

The Arm Drag is a highly effective technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, and wrestling. It involves redirecting your opponent's arm across their body to create an angle for attacking or advancing position. Here's a breakdown:

Core Concept

The Arm Drag exploits the principle of Angles and Leverage, aiming to destabilize your opponent and open up opportunities for:

Taking the back (e.g., transitioning to Standing Back Control or Back Control)
Executing a Takedown (like a Single-Leg Takedown or Trip from Guard Pull)
Sweeping or advancing position, especially from Butterfly Guard or Closed Guard.

Mechanics

Grips

Grab your opponent's arm with a secure grip. Common options:
A C-Grip on Wrist with one hand.
Inside Tie on Elbow or the triceps with the other hand.

Pull Across

Use a quick, strong pull to drag their arm across their centerline.
Engage your whole body, using your core and Hip Movement for power, not just your arms.

Create an Angle

Step or pivot to move your body off their centerline, establishing a dominant angle.
This angle can help break their Base and expose their back.

Follow-Up Options

Transition to Back Control if you’ve exposed their back.
Use the off-balance moment to shoot for a Single-Leg Takedown or similar attack.
Sweep them if applied from the Guard, such as with the Butterfly Guard.

Key Principles

Connection

Stay connected to your opponent's arm and body to maintain control throughout the movement.

Momentum

Exploit their natural reaction to being pulled—use their movement to enhance your follow-up.

Pressure

Apply consistent pressure to ensure they can’t recover their posture or base.

Tip

Combine the arm drag with a solid grip setup and smooth footwork to make it effective against resisting opponents. Practice it from both standing and seated positions to maximize versatility.