Fireman's Carry

Takedown
Also known as:
Melnica

The Fireman's Carry is a takedown where you duck under your opponent, load them across your shoulders, and dump them to the mat. It works from standing in both gi and no-gi, typically off a collar tie or arm control setup, and lands you in a dominant top position such as side control.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · Deep level change with your hips under the opponent's center of gravity is essential to bear their weight on your shoulders.
  • · Controlling one arm while attacking the far leg creates the two-point leverage needed to off-balance and lift.
  • · Driving forward on your knees through the opponent prevents them from sprawling or pulling away.
  • · If the opponent pulls their arm back, you can transition to a single leg or double leg to capitalize on their reaction.
  • · Keeping your head tight to the opponent's hip prevents guillotine counter-attacks during entry.

Execution

  1. 1 From a collar tie or wrist control, secure a grip on your opponent's tricep or wrist with one hand while snapping their posture down.
  2. 2 Drop your lead knee between their feet, level change deeply, and shoot your free arm between their legs to grab the far thigh.
  3. 3 Pull their controlled arm across your shoulders while lifting their thigh, loading them onto the back of your neck and shoulders.
  4. 4 Drive forward off your knees while pulling their arm down and kicking their leg over, dumping them to the mat.
  5. 5 Follow them to the ground, clearing their legs to establish side control or knee on belly.

Common mistakes

  • × Not dropping the hips low enough during entry, which makes it impossible to load the opponent and leaves you bent over vulnerable to sprawls and guillotines.
  • × Failing to secure the far leg before committing to the lift, allowing the opponent to base out and stuff the takedown.
  • × Keeping the head on the outside of the opponent's hip instead of tight against it, exposing the neck to a guillotine choke counter.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Fireman's Carry shows up.

Standing Position

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Side Control Top