Arm drag to Hiza Guruma

Source: Volume 02, §6.3 --- ▶Watch at 00:30:08   (full transcript)

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Purpose

Most robust of the three arm drag attacks. For when partner stalemates --- neither pushes in nor pulls back.

Entry condition

Arm-drag grip established. Partner resisting, neither advancing nor retreating.

Mechanics

We end up with the arm-drag position, two-on-one grip, partner separates, we circle, draw our partner forward --- and we feel like there's still resistance. We're trying to bring our partner forward but we don't have the confidence to lift, don't have the confidence to draw him forward.

Solution: slide our body into this good position.

1. Pass partner's arm across the centerline. Take a grip with your left hand.
2. Throw an "uppercut" --- punch this arm all the way through the space.
3. After you punch the left arm through, take the right hand and connect with your hand and your partner's shoulder.

Now you have:

• A very strong connection --- great chest-to-chest connection.
• The power of this grip controlling partner's arm and locking the elbow across the centerline.
• Your second hand as an underhook.

When Chris goes to pull out, he finds it very, very difficult.

Now put your back on the floor and tilt your partner. They may put their right foot out for balance --- that's fine. Your left leg comes through. You're able to hit a very nice version of Hiza Guruma / Sumi Gaeshi directly out of the arm drag.

Finishing:

1. Take your foot out. You can go all the way down here. If your legs are shorter, you may end up a little higher --- that's fine.
2. With your foot, simply extend and pull your partner's leg across.
3. From here, come up to mount. You have an underhook, which you can walk forward. Move through until you reach a dominant position.
4. From mount: arm locks are ready, or just a strong mounted finish.

Key details

• Pass partner's arm across centerline with left hand, then punch left arm through ("uppercut" motion). Right hand connects with partner's shoulder --- underhook.
• Partner's hips must go ABOVE their head when you throw your back to the floor. Don't fall back relaxed and have partner resting on top as they walk their knees forward --- that becomes difficult. Throw your back to the floor and get your partner's hips way up above their head.
• Extend foot to pull partner's leg across. Come up to mount with the underhook.
• This is the most robust of all three arm-drag attacks --- it works when you can't confidently lift or drag partner forward.

Common failures

• Falling back relaxed with legs loose. Partner walks knees forward and settles on top. You must throw your back to the floor with purpose and get partner's hips above their head.
• Failing to pass the arm across centerline before the uppercut. Without this, you lack the chest-to-chest connection that makes the grip unbreakable.
• Not using the underhook to walk forward into mount after the sweep. The underhook is your climbing tool --- use it.

Connections

• From: seated-guard --- To: top-position
• Principles: back to the floor, inside position
• Skills: grip fighting
• Sibling attacks off the same grip: Arm drag to back take (partner pushes in), Arm drag to Sumi Gaeshi (partner pulls back)