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Black belt · Takedown · Core

Arm drag to body lock to mat return

A standing back take: arm drag, lock the waist, and return them to the mat with control. Use it when they square up on you or hold a strong stance.

Standing Back control

Arm Drag Takedowns: Double Leg and Body Lock · Knight Jiu-Jitsu · YouTube

Step by step

  1. Grab their wrist with your same-side hand. Catch their triceps with your other hand and pull the arm across your body as you step your near foot outside theirs.
  2. Circle behind them with your head tight to their back. Lock your hands around their waist with your chest on their back and your hips lower than theirs.
  3. Step one foot behind and between their feet. Pop your hips forward to lift them just off the mat, and turn so their feet swing away from you.
  4. Lower them to the mat on their side or their hands and knees. Follow with your chest on their back. Do not drop them.
  5. If they widen their stance to block the lift, block behind their near knee with your foot and sit them down to the same side.
  6. As they land, put in your first hook or flatten them, and take the seatbelt.

Details that make it work

  • Hips under their hips. If your hips are behind you, you cannot lift or turn them.
  • Return them to the mat and follow them down. The lift is only enough to take their feet off the floor.

Common mistakes

  • Locking the hands high on their chest, so they peel your grip and turn in.
  • Lifting high and dropping them instead of turning and lowering them.

Drill it

Partner stands with a light stance. 5 reps each side: drag, lock, mat return, hook in. Then 3 rounds of 1 minute from the body lock with partner fighting the grip.

If it fails, or what comes next

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