The closed guard is an incredibly versatile position. It’s the hallmark of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since the closed guard is where a smaller fighter might find themselves when in a street fight and allows a whole spectrum of submissions. That’s why the closed guard is considered an advantageous position in BJJ.
But the closed guard can be frustrating for new Jiu Jitsu fighters. Chances are you’re going to get passed, your opponent will wear you out with pressure from above (particularly if it is another new BJJ fighter using strength more than technique) or your submission attempts will fail and you’ll get passed.
The arm drag sweep from closed guard is an option that makes playing guard less scary. It allows you to attempt a sweep without abandoning your position, it is pretty simple, and since it takes advantage of an isolated arm it can be strung together with arm bar attempts to keep your opponent on the defensive.
This sweep works in both gi or no gi BJJ, and this video by BJJ Fanatics shows Gordon Ryan teaching the arm drag in no gi.
Start: Closed guard
Step 1: Get a two-on-one grip on opponent’s arm with your same-side arm on their wrist and your cross-side hand underneath their arm and behind their tricep
Step 2: Pull opponent’s body into you with your knees,
Step 3: Lift your cross-side elbow off of your stomach and slide opponent’s trapped hand under your elbow, trapping it there
Step 4: Reach your same-side hand over opponent’s back and grip their lat
Step 5: Switch onto your opposite-side hip
Step 6: Pendulum your same-side leg up and use that momentum to sit up into
Opponent, pointing your chest at them and maintaining the grip on their tricep to prevent them posturing up
Step 7: Use the grip on their lat to climb onto their back
Finish: Back control
