Two-on-One

What it is

The two-on-one is a control where both your arms hold one of the opponent's arms: one hand on the wrist and the other arm wrapped above the elbow, with your chest tight to their shoulder. Two arms beat one, so that arm cannot pull free, post or grip, and the whole side of their body is open. The tight version with your chest on the shoulder is also called the Russian tie, and it sets up the back, sweeps and leg attacks.

When to use it

• From seated or butterfly guard, when they reach in and an arm comes within your reach.
• Standing, when they reach for a grip and leave the arm extended.
• You want to take the back by getting to the side of the controlled arm.
• You want to wrestle up or sweep while their arm is tied up.

How to do it

1. Grip their wrist with one hand, palm down, and pull it toward you.
2. Wrap your other arm over their upper arm, just above the elbow, so both your arms are on their one arm.
3. Bring your chest tight to their shoulder and pull the arm across your body.
4. Move your hips to the side of the controlled arm, so you are beside them rather than in front.
5. From there, climb to their back, come up on a leg, or sweep them toward the side they cannot post on.

Key details

• Hold above the elbow, not just the wrist. A wrist on its own pulls free.
• Chest tight to their shoulder. Space lets them bend the arm and pull it out.
• Move to the side, not forward. The control only pays off when you get beside them.
• Keep your head up and close to theirs, so they cannot push you down or snap you down.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: holding with both arms and waiting. They use their free hand to push your head or grip your legs.
• Mistake: holding only the wrist. They pull the arm free and step in.
• Mistake: staying square in front of them. They just pull back and nothing opens up.

What they will try

• Turning the elbow in and pulling the arm back to the body.
• Pushing the head with the free hand to break your posture.
• Facing the attacker and stepping back to stay square.

Gi and no-gi

The two-on-one is the same in gi and no-gi. In the gi you can grip the sleeve instead of the wrist, which is harder for them to pull free.