Today’s lesson teaches fighters how to Arm Drag From Closed Guard. The objective of the arm drag is to allow you to transition from the guard position into a more dominant one. It’s true that some fighters are good at fighting off their backs, but in the majority of situations your back is not somewhere you want to be in a fight.

So it’s good to learn moves that you use to move from the guard and transition into a better position. The arm drag from closed guard will be one of the moves you can use to get yourself out of a ground and pound situation so you can continue to fight the match up.

Also Read: Cross Collar Choke From Guard

Key To A Good Arm Drag From Closed Guard Position

In order to effectively pull off this move you have Shrimp properly. In Brazilian jiu-jitsu to shrimp means to push or move your hips out to the side.

In this case you would move your hips out to the opposite side of the arm drag. Remember the shrimping allows you to escape and transition into the next move, which will be to take control of your opponents back.

1) Take control by gripping the inside of your opponents lapel by the collar. Remember four fingers on the inside and the thumb on the outside.

2) Grab your opponents gi sleeve to gain control of it

3) Execute and arm drag by using both your hand grips to pull your opponent to one side of your body

4) Then take the hand that you use to grip your opponents sleeve and reach over across your opponents back and grab him by the hips. This is done to control his movement. Always be sure to put your chest close to his shoulder, it makes it harder for him to escape.

5) Grab on to his belt and turn him over towards your while simultaneously sliding your leg down. Hook both your legs around your opponent and go for a rear choke or other back submission.

Also Read: How To Kick Properly In MMA

How To Do An Arm Drag From Guard

Arm Drag From Half Guard

So you’ve just seen how to do an arm drag from closed guard, now I will go over how to do an arm dram from half guard. It’s very simple and you are going to go over practically the same movement towards the end but from half guard position.

The moves is as follows:

Create Space – your first objective is to create space. If you have been going to your mma gym for a few months you most likely have been taught how to create space between you and your opponent while he’s in the mount position. If not browse our site and read our escape tactic series.

1. Raise your leg up and place your knee on the inside the pit of your opponents elbow (cubital fossa) and lock it in by grabbing the back of his elbow.
2. Take your free hand and go underneath his armpit and hook it behind his shoulder
3. Bring in your opponent closer by pulling him in. This is to have more control over his movement.
4. Slide your hand down to your opponents wrist. Then take the leg that’s folded under  your opponents elbow pit and kick it straight up.
5. Your left hand will now steer his hand across your body, while your right hand will pull his entire arm. This is called the drag.
6. Slid over and sit up reaching your arm across his body to control his hips
7. Use momentum to cross on top of his back and go for your submission move.

• Important Note: Remember while you are in the half guard to hook his leg. This is so he can’t cross your half guard and gain side control.  From side control he can initiate a lot of dangerous moves so don’t allow that to happen.

Arm drag from standing would play out the same way. just follow the same directions but in a standing position.

Also Read: How To Do A Heel Hook

How To Do An Arm Drag From Knees

Arm Drag From Butterfly Guard

The butterfly guard is a great way to defend yourself against an opponent on the ground. This type of guard allow you to keep your opponent at bay while you map out a quick way for you to execute your ground moves.

An Important Thing To Remember:

• Always control your opponents hands so he doesn’t try to grab you. If your opponent happens to grab your gi by the legs or your lapel it’s easier for him to execute a move on you
• As your opponent gets closer scoot your bum backwards. This is a great way to create space for yourself and control the distance. Controlling the distance can put you at a great advantage when your on the defensive side of things.

Also Read: Single Leg Sweep From Guard

In the butterfly guard you will be playing a chess game with the hands. Your opponent will try to get close to you to grab onto your go or clothing, and you will be trying to grab his wrist to control it.

Once you grab a hold of his wrist use the opposite leg from where you are holding your opponents wrist to push the inside of your opponents knee outward. your leg shouldn’t just push his knee but rather open up his knee pushing it outward. So it’s like a stretch of spread of his knees.

Your next move is to hook hook your arm under and grab a hold of his triceps with your opposite hand and pull him close to you. The hand that is holding his wrist; pull it downward.  His shoulder has to touch your chest; all while simultaneously pushing your leg on the inside of his knee. Again, this is to create a spread.

Now scoop your hips to the side and use your free leg to create a base for you to “scape” inside. Now, you can wrap your arms around his hips to control his movement and use your legs to push yourself up and on to his back. From here execute a submission our strike him from each side.

Important Note: Remember in mma cage fighting or competition there is no punching behind the head. This can cause severe head damage to your opponent and you can lose a point or get disqualified from the match, depending on the judges ruling.

How To Do An Arm Drag From Butterfly Guard

Also Read: How To Do A Standing Rear Naked Choke

Arm Drag From Knees

The final move we’re going to go through is the arm drag from knees. So of course you need to be on your knees for this one. And typically your opponent is on his knees as well or in a seated position.

• Grab the inside of his lapel near his shoulder. This is a called a cross collar grip, so your opposite hand would reach over to the opposite side of your opponent label. Four fingers on the inside and thumb out when gripping. If you grip it too far down the lapel you will have less control when you try to pull him in.
• Take your leg on the same side as the hand you have the grip with and use it to push the inside of his knee. Just like the arm drag from butterfly guard
• Pull in your opponent to one side while you go the opposite side.
• Scoot your hips out and wrap your arm around his hips to control him
• Use your free leg to push yourself up and over his back to initiate a choke submission or to strike him several times. most go for a submission rear choke

Also Read: How To Do An Armbar From Mount

In conclusion the arm drag from these various ground positions are helpful in allowing you to escape and transition in to a more dominant position. Always remember that you have two options when you take your opponents side or back:

1. Follow up with a submission of your choice
2. Take your opponents back , lock your legs around his waist and start punching from each side

Both techniques can lead to some serious damage to your opponent and have him tap out or the referee stop the match. Enjoy!