Also called Drag, Arm drag to the back
The arm drag pulls the opponent's arm across their body while you step to the side, so they stumble forward past you and you end up on their side or back. It is a fast way to take the back, set up a takedown or escape a tie-up, used standing in wrestling and seated in jiu-jitsu.
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How to do it
- 1Grip the opponent's wrist with your opposite hand.
- 2Reach your other hand across to grab the back of their arm just above the elbow.
- 3Drop your weight and pull the arm across your body while you step outside their lead foot.
- 4As they stumble past, circle behind them and lock around the waist.
- 5Finish with a takedown, or take the back.
- Pulling with the arms only instead of dropping your weight and stepping.
- Letting go of the wrist too early.
- Stepping to the wrong side, straight into their other hand.
Safety: Drag at a controlled speed and don't yank the arm; a sharp pull can strain the shoulder.
Drills
Partners take turns: one offers a collar tie at walking pace, the other arm-drags and steps behind to a rear body lock, ten reps each side.
Legends known for it
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