Tape #1 Arm Drags    "There is now way in all the tough situations that we have in our sport that that athlete that he is going to go against is ever going to beat him one on one in his mind." (Dan Gable, on Lincoln McIlravy)      Order the Medal Series Video Tape #1 Arm Drags  View Arm Drag #1, Arm Drag #2, Arm Drag #3.  View an arm drag from McIlravy's college career  View arm drag against Olympic Champion Daniel Igali of Canada        In his last collegiate match with lightning quick efficiency Lincoln McIlravy used an arm drag to win his third national title.  For McIlravy, his arm drags were always his go to technique.  When a match would get tight and he needed another takedown, it seemed every opponent expected it but no one could stop it.  It seems McIlravy arm-dragged his way to the highest winning percentage in the history of the University of Iowa wrestling program.    The first video of the McIlravy Medal Series focuses entirely on his patented arm drag techniques.  The half-hour technique analysis details McIlravy's innovative use of arm drags.  Lincoln's low key voice stands in stark contrast to the brash and aggressive preaching from the likes of Tom Brands another Iowa standout.  However, the technique he shows doesn't need the colorful phrases to enliven the unique character of the moves and drills demonstrated.  Tom Brands philosophy would be to outwork the opponent and beat them down.  On the other hand, Lincoln McIlravy, although a relentless attacker, relied on a deep arsenal including advanced and polished techniques.      In the Arm Drags video, McIlravy starts by demonstrating a very basic outside step arm drag technique.  He shows the drag repeatedly at drill speed without interruption between repetitions.  Prior to the drilling of the drag, he discusses the basics of attacking an angle and maintaining good position.      He then shows a variety of set-ups that an arm drag can be initiated from.  Drills such as drags from a 2 on 1 tie-up are shown, as well as a drag from an opponent's control of a 2 on 1.  McIlravy also details an inside-out drag setup and wrist chop drag.  From there, McIlravy moves into his basic finishes for the drag.      Once the basic foundation for drag techniques are covered., McIlravy then moves into the heart of his arm drag series.  While competing at Iowa, McIlravy became known for his nearly revolutionary style of deep level changes.  When viewing the Arm Drags Video, viewers get a glimpse into the low-level drags that were part of some of Lincoln's most amazing matches.  When discussing the low-level attack, McIlravy modestly states that his technique is "unique to others".  What makes the video important for wrestlers advancing their technique is that the maneuvers he shows are not overwhelming to the high school aged wrestler.      As McIlravy shows the High/Low drag he talks about the importance of hooking an opponent's leg with your own inside step foot.  "Use your foot like its another hand," is his advice.  The High/Low attack was probably McIlravy's most successful go to technique.  He shows in the video how to get around the corner quickly.  McIlravy calls this finish, "the new and improved drag."      Finally, to give a wrestler a real challenge in mastering fancy finishes.  McIlravy demonstrates a move he calls "The Winner, and follows it up with  a second difficult finish, "Another Winner."      McIlravy's use of the arm drag in collegiate and international matches is reinforced by repeated clips of the technique from live competition.  The McIlravy Arm Drags video is a perfect instructional tool for wrestlers who are looking for a more advanced attack than the regular high-c and double legs often drilled in the practice room.  Even though some coaches may not be able to show the maneuvers that McIlravy demonstrates, because of the advanced skill and flexibility needed, it is comforting to know that as long as a TV and VCR are available in the practice room McIlravy's techniques can made available to any wrestler.