The arm drag is a grappling technique that pulls your partner's arm across their body so you end up at their side or behind them, with their back exposed. It works standing, from the knees and from a seated guard, which is why it is everywhere in BJJ.
- Japanese name: none. It is known in BJJ by its English wrestling name.
- Kodokan classification: none. No technique on the Kodokan list carries this name.
- In BJJ: a main route to the back from standing in no-gi, and from butterfly and seated guard; it also sets up the fireman's carry, the single leg and the body lock.
What is the arm drag?
An arm drag is an angle-maker. Your partner's arm is a lever: grip the wrist with the same-side hand, reach your other hand over to grip the back of their triceps, and pull the arm across your body as you step or slide past it. Their shoulder follows the arm, their weight comes forward, and you arrive at their side with their back in front of you.
Standing, it leads to the back clinch, a body lock takedown or a trip. Seated, it leads to the back take or a sweep. The movement is the same each time: wrist, triceps, pull across, move your body past the arm.
How do you do the arm drag?
The steps below describe the standing arm drag; from seated guard the hands are the same and your hips do the moving.
- Hand fight for the wrist. Catch their right wrist with your right hand, thumb on top, or wait until they reach for your collar and catch the reaching arm.
- Reach for the triceps. Bring your left hand over the top of their arm and grip the back of the right triceps, just above the elbow, fingers deep.
- Drag. Pull the arm across your body, toward your left hip, in one sharp movement, while you step your left foot to the outside of their right foot.
- Move past the arm. Step your right foot behind them and bring your chest to their side or back; release the wrist and wrap the waist.
- Finish. Take the back clinch and lift or trip for the takedown, or drop to a body lock and run the pipe.
The most common mistake is dragging with the arms only while your feet stay planted: the arm comes across, your partner squares back up, and you have nothing. The drag and the step happen together; your body moves past their arm as you pull it. Keep your head on the far side of their arm from their free hand so they cannot drag you back. Our BJJ training gear is rash guards and spats for rounds with and without the gi.
Is the arm drag legal in judo?
Yes, as long as it leads straight into an attack. The IJF Sport and Organisation Rules give a shido for ducking beneath the opponent's arm without an immediate attack.
In BJJ a takedown scores 2 points under the IBJJF rules once your partner lands on the back, side or seat and you hold the top for three seconds.
Sources
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
- IBJJF rules, IBJJF
Related terms
Snap down, Body lock takedown, Fireman's carry, Back control / rear mount, Butterfly guard, Grip fighting.