Collar-Drag Sweep

The Collar-Drag Sweep is a versatile technique that uses the opponent's momentum and posture to unbalance them, creating an opportunity to sweep or transition into dominant positions like Back Control. It is typically executed from Guard positions, especially Butterfly Guard, Open Guard, or during transitions when the opponent is postured forward or standing.

Key Principles

Grip Fighting

Angles and Momentum

  • Create an angle by pulling the opponent and shifting your position to expose their side or back.

Leverage and Weight Distribution

Steps to Perform the Collar-Drag Sweep

Set-Up

  • Start in Butterfly Guard, Open Guard, or similar positions where you can control their upper body.
  • Secure a Cross Collar Grip with one hand, gripping deep inside their collar to control their posture.
  • Your other hand can grip their sleeve, knee, or wrist for additional control.

Create the Angle

  • Pull their collar diagonally downward, breaking their posture and directing their weight forward and to the side.
  • Simultaneously, scoot your hips to the side opposite the grip to create an angle for the sweep.

Destabilize Their Base

  • Use your legs to block or trip their base:
  • If seated, use one foot to hook behind their knee or ankle.
  • If standing, pull their upper body forward while simultaneously kicking or sweeping their base leg.

Follow Through

  • As they fall, keep your grips tight and follow their movement to establish a dominant position.
  • Depending on the situation, you can:
  • Land in Side Control if they fall flat.
  • Transition to Back Control if they expose their back during the sweep.

Variations and Adjustments

Standing Opponent

  • If the opponent is standing, use the Collar Drag Takedown to pull them forward and sweep their legs as you sit back.

Turtle Transition

Hook Assistance

Common Applications

  • Against opponents who are aggressive and leaning forward.
  • During guard retention when your opponent is attempting a pass.
  • As a counter when your opponent posts heavily on one side, leaving them vulnerable to being pulled off-balance.
Tip

Combine the Collar-Drag Sweep with follow-ups like the Butterfly Sweep or Back Take for a seamless attack chain. Proper timing and grip placement are crucial for success.

By mastering the Collar-Drag Sweep, you can effectively manipulate your opponent’s posture and exploit openings to transition into dominant positions or capitalize on their reactions.

Positioning

The Collar-Drag Sweep can be executed from several positions where you can establish a strong grip on your opponent's collar and manipulate their posture and base. Below are the key positions where this sweep is commonly applied:

Guard Positions

Butterfly Guard

  • A prime position for the Collar-Drag Sweep, using your Hooks to assist in off-balancing your opponent while you pull their collar to create the angle.

Open Guard

  • With a deep Cross Collar Grip, you can execute the sweep by pulling their collar and tripping their base as they try to pass or posture up.

Closed Guard

  • Open your guard and transition into a Collar Drag Takedown setup, using your legs to assist in pulling their posture forward or breaking their base.

De La Riva

Single-Leg X Guard

Transitions or Scrambles

Opponent in Combat Base

  • If your opponent is in combat base (one knee up, one knee down), you can grip their collar and use the Collar-Drag Sweep to pull them off their base.

Opponent Standing

  • When your opponent stands to break your guard or pass, use the collar grip to pull them forward and sweep their legs.

Failed Butterfly Sweep

  • Transition to the Collar-Drag Sweepn your opponent posts a hand to block the Butterfly Sweep.

Countering Takedowns

Against a Double-Leg Takedown

  • As your opponent shoots in for a takedown, grab their collar and redirect their momentum with the collar drag to sweep or take their back.

Against a Single-Leg Takedown

  • Use the Collar Drag Takedown to pull them forward while circling to the side, creating an angle to sweep or escape.

Defensive Positions

Turtle Guard Defense

Opponent Leaning Forward During Passing

  • Use the Collar Drag Takedown to counter forward pressure as your opponent attempts to pass your guard aggressively.

Standing Positions

Grip Fighting in Neutral

  • From a neutral standing position, secure a collar grip and use the drag to pull your opponent forward, sweeping them as they lose their balance.

During Guard Pull

  • If your opponent resists your Guard Pull, use the collar drag mid-transition to pull them off their base and execute the sweep.
Tip

The Collar-Drag Sweep thrives in situations where your opponent’s base is compromised or their weight distribution is leaning forward. It can also be seamlessly combined with other techniques like Back Takes, Butterfly Sweep, or transitions into dominant positions.

YouTube Videos