Sucker drag

Source: Volume 02, §8.2 --- ▶Watch at 00:42:17   (full transcript)

---

Purpose

When thumb-post drag doesn't work because partner's grip is too robust. Double up with a true arm drag.

Entry condition

Front headlock bottom. Thumb-post approach didn't open the grip. Partner's strangle arm is further back.

Mechanics

We're using an arm drag to get out of front headlock. One of the most effective ways is what's basically a true arm drag --- sometimes referred to as a sucker drag. You take your inside arm to your partner's tricep.

It functions in much the same way as the previous escape, but works when your partner has an even more robust grip.

Setup: Front headlock, your right arm trapped on the inside.

1. Inside, he gets his grip. Bring elbow back.
2. Take left hand to outside, elongate partner's arms (as we did with thumb post).
3. Now starting to walk around the corner --- and we just feel this grip is way too strong. He punches the arm through and it ends up a little further back. As I try to close this off, it's not working.
4. Not to worry. Take your right knee to your left leg, step it up.
5. Take your right hand while it's on the inside and put it on partner's tricep.
6. You end up with two hands on partner's tricep:
   • Right arm = the drag.
   • Left arm = the thumb post.
7. As Chris holds on tight, once we get to about this position, it's very difficult to stop the head from moving away. Take the head backwards as we pull. We have the drag we were waiting for.

Finish:

8. Hands go behind your partner's armpits.
9. Chest forward.
10. Cover partner's hips with your knees, place hooks inside.
11. Go off and begin to attack.

Remember --- it's not the action of pulling. It's the angle.

• Begin in front headlock with your knees directly facing partner's knees.
• Finish --- whether thumb-post-and-circle or sucker drag --- you should end up here, with a different angle to your partner.

You're moving relative to your partner. That opens up the space, allowing you to take your head forward and getting around behind partner's elbows --- so you can put your chest on partner's back.

Key details

• Inside hand (right) goes to partner's tricep. Two hands on the tricep --- right arm is the drag, left arm is the thumb post.
• Once at the right angle, head moves backwards as you pull --- the drag opens.
• Hands behind partner's armpits, chest forward, knees cover hips, hooks inside.
• "It's not the pull, it's the ANGLE." You're changing position relative to partner, not out-pulling them.
• Defensive responsibility throughout: if at any point you feel partner's strangle hand creep up, stop everything, put your hand on the floor, strip the grip, bring it down. Go back to the two-on-one method.

Common failures

• Trying to out-pull the grip with raw strength. The technique works through angle change, not pulling power. If you're in a tug-of-war, you're doing it wrong.
• Continuing the drag when partner's strangle arm is creeping up. Through ALL of these defenses, anytime you feel partner's arm creeping up to your neck threateningly, you have to stop what you're doing. Get defensive, head back on floor, hand back low, and start over.
• Not committing to putting both hands on the tricep. The sucker drag requires doubling up --- right arm drags, left arm thumb-posts. One hand won't do it against a robust grip.

Connections

• From: front headlock (bottom) --- To: back-control
• Principles: inside position, retract
• Skills: grip fighting, elbow cut
• Preceded by: thumb-post drag --- the sucker drag is the escalation when the thumb-post approach fails against a stronger grip.