How to Do the Inside Leg Drag in BJJ
The inside leg drag pins the opponent's leg across your body by pushing it to the inside, exposing their back and hips. By controlling the ankle and dragging the leg past your hip, you create a clear passing lane to side control or back take.
✓ Key Details to Master
- 1 Grip the opponent's ankle with your cross hand
- 2 Drag the leg across your body pinning it to your far hip
- 3 Step your hips past their guard on the dragged side
- 4 Use your free hand to control the far collar or underhook
- 5 Settle into side control or transition to back take
✗ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️ Not pinning the ankle tight enough to your hip
- ⚠️ Dragging the leg but not moving your hips past
- ⚠️ Leaving space for them to recover guard
- ⚠️ Not controlling the upper body during the drag
- ⚠️ Releasing the ankle before fully passing
🔄 Variations
- → To back take
- → To mount
- → From torreando setup
- → Against DLR guard
🛡️ Counters & Defenses
- → Pull the leg free before it is pinned
- → Frame and reguard
- → Invert when dragged
- → Counter-attack with a leg lock
Track Your Inside Leg Drag Progress
Log every time you practice the Inside Leg Drag and watch your proficiency grow. MatTime helps you build muscle memory by tracking what you actually drill.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What belt level should I be to learn the Inside Leg Drag? ▼
The Inside Leg Drag is typically introduced at the blue belt level. However, higher belts continue to refine this technique throughout their BJJ journey. Building a technical foundation. Developing a guard game and understanding of timing.
Does this work in both gi and no-gi? ▼
The Inside Leg Drag works in both gi and no-gi, though grip adjustments may be necessary. In no-gi, focus on body control and underhooks instead of gi grips.
How do I set up the Inside Leg Drag? ▼
The Inside Leg Drag is typically executed from open guard. Key setups include controlling your opponent's posture and creating the right angle. Practice the entry repeatedly before focusing on the finish.