Knowing how to take your opponent down—is an important tool to have. You’ll be able to use it when you and your opponent are standing while looking for an opportunity to take him to the ground. The Arm Drag is one of the most effective takedowns you can learn to do.
And this is what this article will be about. It’ll be about how to take your opponent to the ground and attain a more dominant position. Or, you can also go for a finishing move, which we’ll examine the best ones in one of the upcoming sections.
This is the only resource you’ll need to learn to execute the Arm Drag. Although you can write an entire book on this takedown, I’ve synthesized everything you need to know to start performing many of its variations. And the more variations you know, the easier taking your opponent down will be.
Now I’ve thoughtfully ordered this article the way it is. Likewise, I’ve included only the most necessary sections so you can start executing the Arm Drag properly. So what will this article include?
We’ll first define what the Arm Drag is. Then, we’ll review the basic steps to perform it at a good enough level. After we do that, we’ll review 4 of its variations and see how each plays out. And then, we’ll cover more advanced tips, so you can master this takedown. Finally, we’ll review an effective counter to it, if you ever find yourself getting arm dragged.
Alright. That’s enough intro; let’s dive in!
What is the Arm Drag Takedown?
Let’s now define what the Arm Drag is. As you might know already, it’s a takedown, typically taught in BJJ, Wrestling, and MMA. Although BJJ is a ground grappling fighting style, it utilizes many throws and takedowns, which you use to bring your opponent to the ground. You should already know that.
So takedowns help us transition the fight from a standing position to the ground, which is what you typically want in many grappling-based martial arts. From this transition, you can either attain a more dominant position or go for a submission.
Of course, you can combine both to attain a dominant position and go for submission then. For example, you might attain the Full Mount position and go for a finishing move from there. You can do the same with the Side Control and even the North-South position. We’ll also review a variation where you take the opponent’s back and attain the Back Mount. This is all coming, so don’t worry!
The Arm Drag is a takedown that utilizes you taking control over one of the opponent’s arms and pulling it toward you while using the momentum to take him down. You can take him down once you pull him in many ways, like going for the Single or Double Leg Takedown, which we’ll cover in the variations section.
So now, let’s dive into the basic mechanisms of this takedown. The next section is critical to understand before you think about moving into the more advanced stuff. So let’s dive in.
How to perform the Arm Drag Takedown
So now, we’ll dive into the basic steps of performing the Arm Drag Takedown. The principle you want to follow is establishing control over the opponent’s arm and pulling him toward you. We’ll review the more advanced details in the tips section, which is coming soon.
The first step is to start standing up. Both you and your opponent should be standing up, as this is how every fight begins. If your opponent chooses to sit or go for the Pulling Guard, that’s his choice, and you must adapt to get the upper hand.
The next step is to grip the opponent’s triceps (cross-side grip.) You should be cupping his triceps. If you target your opponent’s right arm, you want to use your right hand. The same applies the other way around.
Now, you want to generate momentum by stepping forward, pulling his arm toward you, and twisting to the side. You must generate enough momentum to take your opponent down, obviously, which is why this step is critical to understand. So first, you pull his arm toward you by having a firm triceps grip. Then, you’re going to step with your back foot forward, which will get you into a better position to leverage the momentum you’ve created.
Finally, you twist your body and utilize the momentum you’ve generated to take down your opponent by maintaining your upper body grip. You should have a free hand, which you can use to grip the arm you’re targeting and pull it in the direction of the takedown. You also want to twist your body in the same direction.
This will be enough to force your opponent to the ground. Wonderful!
Arm Drag Variations
We’ll now get into the most critical part of this article. Learning more variations is always the best choice. If, for example, you were to face two grapplers against one another—and the first know 2 takedowns and the other 20, who do you think will be more likely to take his opponent down?
I’ll bet my money that in most cases, the second grappler, who knows 20 takedowns, will be more likely to execute a clean takedown over his opponent. If you only know 2 takedowns, you’re less likely to surprise your opponent and adapt to your specific situation.
So you want to learn as many variations as possible of as many moves as possible. Of course, you still want to master techniques, but don’t hesitate to broaden your toolbox by constantly learning more techniques.
Let’s now dive into the first variation, which combines two takedowns.
#1 – Single Leg Arm Drag
The first variation we’ll review is the Single Leg Arm Drag. As you can imagine, this variation includes the use of the infamous Single Leg Takedown to enforce the Arm Drag. All in all, it’s a fantastic combination that will help you achieve more with less effort.
So how does it work?
The beginning is the same as the Arm Drag explanation we reviewed in the previous section. You want to start standing up, cup the opponent’s triceps, pull it toward you, and step forward while twisting. However, you don’t want to continue forward with the move.
Instead of moving forward, you want to lower your level and grab one of your opponent’s legs. From there, you finish the move by twisting in the direction of the desired takedown and advancing while lifting the leg.
This will be enough to ensure you successfully establish the takedown. Also, it’s going to surprise your opponent, as you have just gone with the Arm Drag. Therefore, you’ll be more likely to make this work.
#2 – Double Leg Arm Drag
The next variation we’ll review is almost the same as the previous one. However, the only difference is that you’re going to go for the Arm Drag and grab both the opponent’s legs, to eventually execute the Double Leg Takedown. If unfamiliar with it, you can follow the previous link to read more about it.
Anyways, instead of grabbing one of the opponent’s legs, you’ll be grabbing both. The best way to finish this takedown is twisting in the direction of the desired takedown while lifting his legs. This will generate enough momentum to finish the throw flawlessly.
This variation is definitely one you want to learn, as it’ll open you up to new opportunities. Remember, the more variations you know, the more likely you are to make this move work.
#3 – Arm Drag to Back Take
The 3rd variation is the Arm Drag to Back Take. Taking your opponent’s back will lead to a clean finish. Although your opponent might escape your hold, it’s unlikely that he will if you know what you’re doing.
I wrote an entire article on the Back Mount, and you can follow the link to read it and see how to maintain it for longer periods while attacking it. It’ll change the way you think of the Back Mount and the Back Take setups.
You can perform the Arm Drag and attain the back by hooking your free hand (the one that’s not cupping your opponent’s triceps), around your opponent’s back. You then want to step to the side, circling him from the back.
And you got his back. Now, it’s all a matter of taking him down to the floor and establishing leg hooks. Once you got that, you’ll be granted 6 points total, 2 for a clean takedown and 4 for attaining the Back Mount. I think this move is nothing less than remarkable.
#4 – Arm Drag to Submission
The last variation we’ll review is the Arm Drag to submission. This is a move that will help you win more fights quicker. You also have endless options to go for, including chokes, like the D’arce Choke, and joint manipulation submissions, such as the Straight Arm Lock.
Common options include the Armbar, Kimura, Guillotine Choke, or other joint locks and chokes. For instance, it’s not uncommon to see a grappler arm dragging his opponent, taking him to the floor, getting into Knee on Belly, and attacking to finish. This is a popular set of moves.
Here’s a great move you can try after you finish reading this article:
Arm Drag Tips
Our next section will review more advanced tips you want to know about before you start practicing this takedown. These will help you take your opponent down swiftly while allowing you to follow up better.
So let’s dive straight away into the first tip.
#1 – Follow up techniques
The first tip is to follow up properly. As you saw in the variations, many of the variants include a follow-through technique, like taking the back or going for the Double Leg Takedown. These are all valid options.
The truth is, you want to keep experimenting with follow-ups, as they’ll help you (1) be less expected, and (2) finish fights more often. Now your options are truly endless.
You can, if you want, attain Side Control, go into Knee on Belly, and finish using the Brabo Choke. Indeed, that’s a possible option you might never have thought of if it weren’t for this article. You can follow the link to read more about this move by the way.
#2 – Proper arm control
The second tip is to always establish proper arm control. You know how it goes, the firmer your grip is, the more control you have. And the more control you have, the more likely you are to succeed with whatever you’re going through in any martial art.
#3 – Attack the legs
And lastly, you also want to attack the legs. This is something not many grapplers think about, as the Arm Drag is an upper-body takedown. However, by attacking the legs, or even just going for a fake or two, your opponent will be clueless as to what you’re going to go for.
And pay attention now, being unexpected—is a fundamental skill in any martial art. You’ll be able to do whatever you want to and finish the fight whenever you want. Hence, have more control over the fight.
How to counter the Arm Drag?
The best way to counter the Arm Drag is to frame the opponent’s chest with your free arm when he pulls your arm. Timing is key here, as you want to block your opponent right when he advances and goes for the takedown. Do it any later or earlier and you won’t be able to counter the Arm Drag.
Which martial arts teach the Arm Drag?
You can learn many grappling martial arts. Now some of them aren’t as effective for real life as other ones. However, a lot of them have a lot in common, like teaching the same takedowns or submissions.
Here are the martial arts that teach the Arm Drag.
Final Words
This was the Arm Drag, one of my favorite takedowns to transition into the ground while attaining a superior position, like the Full Mount, Side Control, Knee on Belly, or North-South.
It’s typically used in many grappling-based martial arts, such as BJJ, MMA, and Wrestling.
So your next step now is to get on the mat and get real experience. Without real experience, you won’t be able to progress nearly as fast as if you were to train and understand the mechanism of this move. It’s never enough to watch only. To do the thing yourself is the best thing you can do to progress quickly.
The Arm Drag, however, isn’t the most effective takedown out there. Follow this link to read about the 9 best takedowns in BJJ and how to execute each one.
Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
Foot Sweep Guide (For BJJ, Judo, and Wrestling)
Seoi Nage – Takedown Breakdown (BJJ & Judo)
BJJ 101 – Double Leg Takedown (Variations & Finishes
Single Leg Takedown 101 – BJJ Comprehensive Guide
Ankle Pick 101 (BJJ) – How to Execute Properly
Pull Guard BJJ – Everything You Need to Know