Standing Arm Drag
Also known as: Arm Drag · Drag to Back · 2-on-1 Drag
Pull your opponent’s arm across their own center line and step past it — the shortest standing route to the back.
Back Take · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt
Starts from Standing as the either grappler → lands in Back Control.
The details that make it work
- Grip their wrist and drag with your OTHER hand above their elbow — two hands beat one arm.
- The drag clears their arm past your body; your feet must move immediately to the exposed side.
- Chest to their shoulder blade, then hips in: seatbelt before they can square back up.
Where it goes wrong
- Dragging without stepping — the drag is a door that closes in half a second.
How opponents counter it
- Square the hips back instantly
- Wrist-strip and re-face before the seatbelt lands
Is the Standing Arm Drag legal in competition?
Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.
Related techniques
All moves from Standing · Back to Grapplepedia