### Technique: Arm Drag to Back Take --- #### Objective: Utilize the arm drag to manoeuvre your opponent's balance and positioning, allowing you to take their back and secure a dominant position. --- ### Positions and Setup - **Possible Positions:** - **Seated Open Guard** - **Butterfly Guard** - **Standing** - **Top/Bottom:** Bottom position transitioning to a dominant back control. - **Japanese Name:** N/A --- ### Step-by-Step Instructions #### **Seated Open Guard/Butterfly Guard** 1. **Grip the Sleeve:** Begin by gripping your opponent's sleeve with your opposite hand. For instance, if you're dragging their right arm, use your left hand to grasp their sleeve just below the elbow. 2. **Secure the Wrist:** With your free hand, secure a cross-grip on their wrist or sleeve, tightening your hold to maintain control of their arm. 3. **Execute the Arm Drag:** - Simultaneously pull their sleeve across your body with your sleeve grip, aiming to bring their arm across your centerline. - Use your wrist grip to guide their hand further, creating an opening. 4. **Scoot Closer:** As they are pulled forward from the drag, use your free foot to scoot closer, keeping pressure with your hooked foot (if using butterfly guard) to maintain balance and leverage. 5. **Reach and Secure the Back:** - Release the wrist and immediately reach your arm around to their back on the same side you dragged the arm to. - Use your hand to grip their belt, pants, or hip to pull yourself closer to their back. 6. **Spin Behind:** - Quickly but smoothly, swing your free leg around and establish a hook inside their thigh or around their far hip. - Ensure that your head remains close to their back to reduce escape avenues and secure your spot. 7. **Drag them Down (Optional):** Depending on their posture, you may angle your body backward slightly, causing them to follow you to the mat, or switch to a more seated grip. 8. **Secure the Second Hook:** Once you've established control on their back, transition to double underhooks and thread the second leg around, setting in your second hook for full back control. 9. **Finish and Control:** - Secure your position with a seatbelt grip. One arm under their armpit, and one over their shoulder, ensuring you are ready to transition into submitting options like the Rear Naked Choke or Bow and Arrow Choke. --- ### Tips for Success - **Commit to the Motion:** Arm drags are reliant on quick, committed movements to break their balance. Avoid hesitance mid-drag. - **Cinch the Underhooks Tightly:** Ensure your underhooks are firm, giving you more control and potential leverage. - **Maintain Pressure:** Do not give them the room or time to react; continually apply pressure as you transition. This approach emphasizes fluid movement from initiatory contact to the back take, enhancing both strategic positioning and submission potential.