How to Do the Basic Arm Drag

An arm drag pulls the opponent’s arm across your body so you can step to an angle and go behind or shoot. Grab their wrist with one hand, reach across with the other to grip behind the triceps, pull across while stepping to the side, and attack the exposed back or legs.

Arm drag steps

StepKey point
Wrist controlGrab the opponent’s wrist
Triceps gripReach across to cup behind the elbow
PullDrag the arm across your body
StepMove to the angle beside them
Follow-upGo behind or shoot a single or double

Tips

  • Pull with your body, not just your arms.
  • Keep your head up.
  • Step to the angle as you pull.
  • Hit it from motion.
  • Chain it with the double leg.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Check with a doctor or qualified professional before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have an injury or health condition.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use an arm drag?

When the opponent reaches or ties up with their arm extended.

What follows an arm drag?

Going behind, a single leg or a double leg are common follow-ups.

How do I defend an arm drag?

Keep elbows in and square back up quickly.

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Sam Ayed
Sam Ayed

Sam Ayed is a soccer player, coach and lifelong sports enthusiast. As the editor of Sportmentary, he writes and reviews the site's guides, checks rules content against the official rulebooks of each sport's governing body, and keeps pages updated when those rules change.

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