---
title: Arm drag to back take
description: Off the two-on-one escape, when partner pushes into you, drag them past and take their back.
section: body
tags: [bjj, move, arm-drag, back-take, two-on-one]
genre: reference
stability: developing
lastUpdated: 2026-04-26
url: https://fardiniqbal.com/docs/body/mat/moves/arm-drag-back-take
---




**Source:** Volume 02, §6.1 --- <BilibiliTimestamp src="https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1VJNFeZEcN?spm_id_from=333.788.videopod.episodes&vd_source=c3688b54b385c8dcac9e11af66f34c24&p=2" at="00:27:08" />   ([full transcript](/docs/body/mat/sources/only-way-out/volume-02#61-drag--take-the-back-chest-lock-first))

***

## Purpose [#purpose]

When partner pushes into you after the arm-drag grip is established, drag them past and get chest to back.

## Entry condition [#entry-condition]

Arm-drag grip established (two-on-one, right hand at partner's armpit). Partner pushing into you.

## Mechanics [#mechanics]

The setup is the same every time:

1. In front of partner, locked hands.
2. **Retract arms, protect the chin.**
3. Wait for the transition. As soon as arms unlock --- **pump-handle**, head to the outside.
4. **Pass off:** leave your **left hand** where it is. Take your **right hand and slide it up to your partner's armpit**. Then sit.

If we feel our partner coming **toward us**, this is an ideal time to simply drag, bring our partner past us.

1. **Leave your inside leg on the inside.**
2. **Heist.** Plant your rear leg, bring your body through.
3. **Immediately put your chest on your partner's back.** It's really important that you keep your chest on your partner's back.

## Key details [#key-details]

* Start with a **chest lock**, not a seat-belt grip. The chest lock allows you to keep weight over partner's shoulders and elbows and maintain good chest-to-back connection.
* **You don't have to be in a rush to step the second leg over.** Don't try to throw your second hook inside. It makes much more sense to **tilt your body off in this direction**, and then when you're ready, pass your second leg over and switch off to a seat-belt --- *then* you're ready to attack.

## Common failures [#common-failures]

* Rushing the second hook. Trying to immediately throw both hooks in compromises your chest-to-back connection. Tilt your body off to the side first, then pass the second leg over, then switch to seat-belt.
* Starting with a seat-belt instead of a chest lock. The seat-belt comes later --- the chest lock keeps weight distributed over partner's shoulders and elbows during the initial connection.
* Losing chest contact during the heist. Keep your chest glued to partner's back throughout the transition.

## Connections [#connections]

* **From:** [seated-guard](/docs/body/mat/positions/seated-guard) --- &#x2A;*To:** [back-control](/docs/body/mat/positions/back-control)
* **Principles:** [inside position](/docs/body/mat/principles/inside-position)
* **Skills:** [grip fighting](/docs/body/mat/skills/grip-fighting)
* **Sibling attacks off the same grip:** [Arm drag to Sumi Gaeshi](/docs/body/mat/moves/arm-drag-sumi-gaeshi) (partner pulls back), [Arm drag to Hiza Guruma](/docs/body/mat/moves/arm-drag-hiza-guruma) (partner stalemates)