Arm Drag

The Arm Drag is a high-impact technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that can quickly turn the tide of a match. It involves pulling the opponent's arm across their body, creating opportunities for back takes, sweeps, or submissions. When mastered, arm drags become a versatile tool applicable in various situations, including standing, ground, gi, and no-gi scenarios.

Classic Arm Drag Execution

Grip the opponent's wrist or sleeve with your same-side hand
Use your other hand to grab behind the opponent's elbow or tricep
Pull the opponent's arm across their body while simultaneously moving your body to the side
Follow through by moving behind the opponent or initiating a sweep

Advanced Arm Drag Concepts (Danaher's Approach)

Prioritize body connection, often starting from half guard (especially half butterfly)
Utilize opposite side drags for unpredictability
Establish control before execution, using a two-on-one grip from a supine position
Develop counters to counters, anticipating defensive reactions
Practice defensive arm drags as counters to opponent's shots
Explore standing arm drags, considering stance and hand positioning

Key Points

Focus on deeply understanding arm drags rather than broad, superficial knowledge
Maintain strong body connection throughout the movement to prevent easy escapes
Use your whole body to create the drag, not just arm strength
Develop setups that are less predictable than classic wrist control
Practice arm drags in various situations: offensive, defensive, standing, and on the ground

Related Techniques

Back Take
Arm Drag Sweep
Single Leg Takedown
Half Guard Arm Drag
Standing Arm Drag to Takedown

Source

Arm Drag Technique by Bernardo Faria & John Danaher (opens in a new tab)

Related Concepts

Back Control
Sweeps
Submissions
Half Guard Control
Takedown Setups