The Fireman’s Carry is a classical wrestling takedown that has found valuable application in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly in no-gi and MMA contexts. This technique involves using a combination of off-balancing, level change, and explosive lifting to elevate your opponent onto your shoulders before driving them to the mat. The Fireman’s Carry is particularly effective against opponents who maintain an upright posture in the clinch, as it exploits their high center of gravity and creates a sudden positional reversal. Unlike many BJJ takedowns that rely on pulling or tripping, the Fireman’s Carry demonstrates the principle of lifting and redirecting an opponent’s weight, making it an excellent complement to guard pulling and other ground-focused entries. The technique requires precise timing, proper body mechanics, and the ability to coordinate multiple movements simultaneously - the level change, arm control, penetration step, and lifting motion must all flow together seamlessly. When executed correctly, the Fireman’s Carry not only achieves the takedown but also places you in an advantageous top position, often side control or modified mount, allowing for immediate passing or submission attempts. This makes it a high-percentage technique for competitors who want to establish top control early in a match.
Starting Position: Clinch Ending Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70%
Key Principles
- Deep penetration step to get underneath opponent’s center of gravity
- Simultaneous arm control and level change to break opponent’s base
- Hip placement directly under opponent’s hips for maximum lifting efficiency
- Explosive upward drive using legs while pulling opponent across shoulders
- Controlled rotation and descent to land in dominant top position
- Tight shoulder connection to prevent opponent from posting or escaping
- Weight distribution toward opponent’s far leg to facilitate the lift
Prerequisites
- Standing position with some form of clinch engagement established
- Access to opponent’s arm on one side (wrist or triceps control)
- Opponent maintaining relatively upright posture rather than hunched defensive stance
- Sufficient space to execute level change and penetration step
- Stable base and good foot positioning for explosive movement
- Opponent’s weight relatively centered or slightly forward
- Clear pathway between opponent’s legs for penetration step
Execution Steps
- Establish grip control: Begin from a standing clinch position, typically with collar ties or underhooks. Secure a firm grip on your opponent’s lead arm, controlling either the wrist or the triceps area. Your opposite hand should be positioned on the opponent’s shoulder, neck, or opposite arm to maintain connection and prevent them from creating distance. (Timing: Initial setup phase)
- Execute level change: Drop your level rapidly by bending at the knees and hips, lowering your center of gravity significantly below your opponent’s. As you drop, pull the controlled arm downward and across your body. Your head should drive toward the opponent’s far hip while your shoulders remain square. This sudden level change disrupts their balance and creates the opening for penetration. (Timing: Explosive initiation - 0.5 seconds)
- Penetration step: Step your lead leg deep between your opponent’s legs, positioning your foot past their centerline. Your hips should now be underneath theirs, with your shoulder making contact with their midsection. The penetration step is critical - shallow penetration will result in a failed lift. Your back should be straight and strong, ready to support their weight. (Timing: Immediately following level change)
- Secure the carry position: While maintaining control of the opponent’s arm, thread your head under their armpit and position their torso across your shoulders. Your shoulder closest to them should be pressing into their abdomen or lower ribs. Your controlled arm should now be pulled tightly across your chest. Your free arm reaches behind their near leg, gripping behind the knee or upper thigh. The opponent should be draped across your shoulders like a fireman carrying someone. (Timing: Setup for lift - 1 second)
- Execute the lift: Drive explosively upward using your legs, keeping your back straight and core tight. Lift the opponent off the ground by straightening your legs while pulling down on their arm and behind their knee. Your shoulders should rise together, maintaining the opponent’s weight balanced across your upper back. The lifting motion should be smooth and powerful, not jerky. At the peak of the lift, the opponent’s feet should be completely off the ground and their weight fully committed to your shoulders. (Timing: Explosive lift - 1 second)
- Rotate and descend: Once the opponent is elevated, rotate your body in the direction of their head (usually toward your controlled arm side). As you rotate, begin to lower your level again, using the rotational momentum to swing the opponent off your shoulders. Guide their descent by maintaining control of the arm and leg. Your goal is to place them on the mat with their back down while you maintain top position. (Timing: Controlled descent - 1-1.5 seconds)
- Land in top position: As the opponent lands on their back or side, follow through with your body weight, landing in side control or a modified mount position. Immediately establish crossface control with your near arm and secure hip pressure to prevent them from recovering guard. Your far hand should control their far hip or establish an underhook. Maintain heavy shoulder pressure and consolidate your position before attempting passes or submissions. (Timing: Landing and stabilization - 2 seconds)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent sprawls and drives weight backward (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: If they sprawl early before you establish the carry position, immediately switch to a single leg or double leg finish, or transition to front headlock control. The key is recognizing the sprawl quickly and adapting rather than fighting through it.
- Opponent whizzers the lifting arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: If they establish a strong whizzer (overhook) on your lifting arm, you can continue the technique by adjusting your grip lower on their leg and driving harder with your hips forward. Alternatively, use the whizzer position to transition to a duck under or back take.
- Opponent posts their free hand on the ground (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: If they post during the descent phase, maintain control of their other arm and leg, then circle away from the posted hand while driving your shoulder into them. You can also attack the posted arm with a kimura grip as they try to base.
- Opponent drops their weight and lowers their hips (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: If they successfully lower their hips and base out before you can establish the carry, transition to alternative takedowns like ankle picks, snap downs to front headlock, or switch to pulling guard. Fighting against a well-defended lower base is inefficient.
- Opponent grabs your leg during the lift (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: If they grab your leg while you have them elevated, continue with the throw but prepare to pass their guard after landing. Their leg grab will be less effective once they’re being driven to the mat. Focus on maintaining the rotational momentum.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the most critical component of the Fireman’s Carry that determines whether the lift will be successful? A: The depth of the penetration step is the most critical component. Your lead foot must step deep between the opponent’s legs, positioning your hips directly underneath theirs and lower than their center of gravity. Without proper penetration, you cannot generate sufficient lifting leverage, and the technique will fail regardless of how strong you are. The penetration step must place your shoulder in contact with their midsection and your hip below theirs.
Q2: Why is it important to lift with your legs rather than your back when executing the Fireman’s Carry? A: Lifting with your legs rather than your back is essential for both safety and effectiveness. Using leg drive by straightening your knees and hips generates much more power than trying to lift with back muscles, making the technique work against larger opponents. More importantly, lifting with your back puts enormous stress on the spine and can cause serious injury, particularly when lifting and rotating simultaneously. Proper technique requires keeping the back straight and rigid while the legs provide all the lifting force.
Q3: How should you respond if your opponent sprawls hard as you attempt the initial level change? A: If the opponent sprawls successfully before you can establish the carry position, you should immediately abandon the Fireman’s Carry and transition to alternative techniques rather than fighting through the sprawl. Effective options include: switching to a single leg or double leg finish, transitioning to front headlock control, executing a duck under to their back, or pulling guard. The key is recognizing the sprawl quickly and adapting smoothly to a technique that works better against the lowered defensive posture.
Q4: What is the purpose of the rotational component during the descent phase of the Fireman’s Carry? A: The rotational component serves multiple purposes: First, it uses angular momentum to help swing the opponent completely off your shoulders and onto their back rather than just dropping them to their side. Second, the rotation helps you maintain control throughout the descent and positions you to land in a dominant top position (side control or mount) rather than in a scramble. Third, the rotation makes it much harder for the opponent to post or catch themselves during the fall, ensuring they land flat on their back with you in control.
Q5: Why is controlling the opponent’s arm throughout the entire technique so important? A: Controlling the opponent’s arm from setup through landing serves several critical functions: During the setup and lift phases, it prevents them from establishing defensive frames or grips that could stop your penetration and lifting motion. It also helps break their posture and pull their weight onto your shoulders. During the descent and landing phases, arm control prevents them from posting to catch their fall or to create space. Without continuous arm control, the opponent can use their free arm to defend at multiple points during the technique, significantly reducing your success rate and potentially allowing them to counter or escape.
Q6: What are the key differences between executing a Fireman’s Carry against an upright opponent versus one who has lowered their level? A: Against an upright opponent, the Fireman’s Carry is highly effective because the height differential allows for deep penetration and efficient leverage for the lift. However, against an opponent who has lowered their level and dropped their hips, the technique becomes much less effective and should generally be abandoned in favor of other options. When the opponent lowers their level, you cannot achieve the necessary depth of penetration, the height differential disappears making the lift mechanically inefficient, and they have a stronger base that resists the lifting motion. The Fireman’s Carry specifically exploits an upright posture and high center of gravity, so technique selection should adapt to the opponent’s positioning.
Q7: How should you set up your grips and positioning in the clinch before attempting the Fireman’s Carry? A: The optimal setup involves establishing secure control of one of the opponent’s arms (either wrist or triceps control) while your other hand maintains connection via their shoulder, neck, or opposite arm. Your feet should be in a staggered stance with good base, ready to explode into the penetration step. You want to maintain enough distance that you have room for the level change and penetration, but close enough that the opponent cannot fully disengage. The setup should look like normal clinch hand fighting to avoid telegraphing your intentions. Position yourself so you have a clear pathway between their legs for your penetration step.
Safety Considerations
When practicing the Fireman’s Carry, controlled execution is paramount to prevent injury to both yourself and your training partner. The most critical safety concern is the descent phase - you must guide your partner to the mat in a controlled manner rather than slamming or dropping them, particularly being mindful of their head and neck positioning. Never release control during the throw; maintain grips throughout the descent to control the landing. For your own safety, always maintain a straight back during the lifting phase and generate power from your legs, not your back, to prevent spinal injury. Start practice with cooperative drilling where your partner is lifted and gently placed down, gradually progressing to more dynamic execution only after mastering the mechanics. Ensure you’re practicing on appropriate matting that provides cushioning for takedowns. Communication with your partner is essential - agree on the level of resistance and speed beforehand, and use verbal or tap signals if anything feels unsafe during execution. Be particularly cautious about your partner’s shoulder and arm positioning during the carry phase to avoid joint stress. When learning, practice the level change and penetration components separately before adding the lift, and only add rotation and dynamic landing after mastering controlled static versions.
Position Integration
The Fireman’s Carry occupies a unique position in the BJJ technical ecosystem as a wrestling-based takedown that creates immediate top control opportunities. Unlike guard pulls or sacrifice throws, the Fireman’s Carry allows you to establish a dominant position (typically side control or mount) directly from the standing phase, making it valuable for competitors who prefer top-based games or point-focused strategies. This technique integrates particularly well with chain wrestling systems where you combine multiple takedown attempts - the Fireman’s Carry works excellently as a follow-up when initial shots are defended, or as a setup that forces reactions you can exploit with other techniques. The carry also serves as an important bridge between wrestling and BJJ, teaching practitioners how to use explosive lifting and rotation rather than relying solely on pulling and tripping mechanics common in traditional BJJ takedowns. From a positional hierarchy perspective, successful execution of the Fireman’s Carry immediately places you in a superior position (worth 2 points in IBJJF rules for the takedown itself), with the landed position (side control or mount) providing additional point-scoring opportunities and submission access. The technique also demonstrates the principle of using an opponent’s upright posture against them, complementing guard-pulling strategies by providing an offensive option when opponents refuse to engage on the ground. In no-gi and MMA contexts, the Fireman’s Carry becomes even more valuable as the absence of gi grips makes traditional judo-style throws more difficult, while the body control used in the carry remains effective. Understanding the Fireman’s Carry also improves your takedown defense, as you learn to recognize the setup cues (level changes, penetration steps, arm control) and develop appropriate defensive reactions.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Fireman’s Carry represents a beautiful application of leverage mechanics that every grappler should understand, even if they don’t frequently use the technique itself. The fundamental principle at work here is the creation of a mechanical advantage through positioning your hip as a fulcrum point beneath the opponent’s center of gravity. When executed correctly, you’re not fighting against their weight - you’re redirecting it through a lever system where your legs provide the force, your torso acts as the rigid lever arm, and your hip serves as the fulcrum. This is why the penetration depth is absolutely non-negotiable; without your hip positioned lower than and underneath theirs, the mechanical advantage disappears entirely and the technique becomes a strength contest you cannot win against equal-sized opponents. The sequential nature of the technique - grip control, level change, penetration, securing the carry position, lift, rotation, and controlled descent - must be respected. Students who try to skip steps or combine them prematurely will find the technique fails consistently. I particularly emphasize the importance of the rotational component during descent, as this is what transforms a simple lift into a takedown that puts you in dominant position. Without proper rotation, you often end up in scrambles or with the opponent landing on their side where they can immediately begin their escape sequences. Study how the angle of your rotation determines whether you land in side control, mount, or a less advantageous position, and practice controlling this variable deliberately.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, I use the Fireman’s Carry primarily as a counter-attacking technique rather than my first-choice takedown, and I think that’s the smartest way to approach it at the highest levels. The setup requires you to drop your level significantly, which can be risky against elite opponents who are looking to sprawl and take your back or establish front headlock control. However, when someone shoots on you and you sprawl successfully, or when they’re driving forward hard in the clinch trying to walk you to the edge of the mat, that’s when the Fireman’s Carry becomes extremely high percentage. Their forward momentum and commitment actually helps you load them onto your shoulders, and they’re often overextended and unable to defend properly. I’ve hit this technique many times in training and competition by baiting opponents into driving forward aggressively, then using their own pressure against them with a well-timed Fireman’s Carry. The landing is crucial for competition - you need to immediately secure that crossface and establish heavy shoulder pressure because you’re only getting takedown points if you establish a scoring position for three seconds. Don’t just dump them and hope for the best; follow through completely and make sure you consolidate side control or mount before they can recover guard. Also, understand that this technique is particularly effective against opponents who like to stay upright and avoid guard pulling - if someone is squared up trying to hand fight with you, they’re vulnerable to the Fireman’s Carry in a way that someone with a lowered stance isn’t.
- Eddie Bravo: The Fireman’s Carry is old-school wrestling but it’s still got serious applications in modern no-gi grappling, especially if you think outside the traditional execution. What I like about this technique is how it completely changes the dynamics of a match - one second you’re standing and hand fighting, the next second your opponent is flying through the air and landing on their back with you on top. That psychological impact is real, man. In 10th Planet, we’ve worked on some sick variations where you hit the Fireman’s Carry but instead of going straight to side control, you land in a position where you can immediately attack the truck or take the back. The key is adjusting your rotation angle during the descent so you’re positioned behind them rather than perpendicular when you both hit the mat. We also combine it with our front headlock game - if someone shoots and you sprawl, you can use the front headlock control to set up a modified Fireman’s Carry where they’re already partially broken down. Another thing we explore is using the Fireman’s Carry as a counter to someone trying to stand up from turtle - as they’re coming up, you can step in and catch them in the carry position while they’re in that vulnerable transition. The beauty of this technique is its versatility once you understand the core mechanics. Don’t just drill it as a standalone move; practice chaining it with other techniques and looking for unconventional timing opportunities. That’s where you’ll find the magic.