BJJ Graph

Anaconda Choke

Jun 15, 202511 min read

Anaconda Choke

bjjsubmissionchokefront_headlockadvanced

Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Submission ID: SUB026
  • Submission Name: Anaconda Choke
  • Alternative Names: Rolling Anaconda, Gator Roll Choke

State Machine Properties

Submission Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 70% - core probability data
  • Execution Complexity: High - requires precise grip setup and rolling motion
  • Energy Cost: Medium to High - demands control and dynamic movement
  • Risk Level: Medium - potential for losing position if mistimed
  • Execution Speed: Medium to Fast - must be applied with control and speed

Physical Requirements

  • Strength Requirements: Medium to High for grip strength and rolling pressure
  • Flexibility Requirements: Medium for hip mobility during roll
  • Coordination Requirements: High for grip setup, arm trap, and rolling action
  • Speed Requirements: Medium for quick transition to choke once setup is complete

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed step-by-step description for clear movement sequence visualization:

From a Front Headlock position or while controlling the opponent in Turtle Position Top, you start by securing a tight grip around the opponent’s neck with one arm, typically your dominant arm, encircling their neck with your bicep against one side of their throat and your forearm against the other, while your other hand reaches across to trap their near arm by pulling it across their body or securing it under your armpit to prevent defense. You maintain heavy chest pressure on their upper back or head to keep them pinned to the mat, with your knees positioned for stability, often one knee up near their shoulder and the other posted for base, ensuring they cannot easily stand or escape. As you prepare to apply the choke, you step or shift your weight to the side of their trapped arm, pulling their head down further into your armpit to tighten the initial grip, while simultaneously threading your free arm (the one not encircling the neck) under their far armpit to reach for your own bicep or wrist, forming a figure-four grip or a gable grip to lock in the choke structure. With the grip secured, you initiate a dynamic rolling motion by driving forward and to the side over their trapped arm, using your legs to push off and roll both of you onto your back or side, maintaining the choke grip as you rotate, ensuring their head and trapped arm are pulled tightly into your chest to maximize pressure on their neck. As you complete the roll, you land on your back or hip with the opponent facing up or to the side, their neck still locked in your arm, and you squeeze your elbows together while extending your legs to arch your hips, applying intense pressure to the carotid arteries to force a submission, maintaining control until they tap or the referee intervenes.

Template: “From Front Headlock or Turtle Position Top, secure tight grip around opponent’s neck with dominant arm, trap near arm with other hand. Apply chest pressure to pin them, position knees for stability. Shift to trapped arm side, pull head into armpit, thread free arm under far armpit for figure-four or gable grip. Roll forward over trapped arm to back or side, keep choke tight during rotation. Land on back or hip, squeeze elbows, arch hips for carotid pressure to force submission.”

Execution Steps (Numbered Sequence)

  1. Setup Requirements: Start in Front Headlock or Turtle Position Top with control
  2. Initial Grip: Encircle opponent’s neck with dominant arm, bicep and forearm on throat
  3. Arm Trap: Secure opponent’s near arm across body or under armpit to limit defense
  4. Pressure Application: Use chest to pin opponent, position knees for stable base
  5. Position Shift: Move to side of trapped arm, pull head deeper into armpit
  6. Grip Lock: Thread free arm under far armpit, lock figure-four or gable grip
  7. Rolling Motion: Drive forward over trapped arm, roll to back or side with opponent
  8. Choke Tightening: Maintain grip during roll, land with opponent facing up or sideways
  9. Submission Finish: Squeeze elbows together, arch hips to apply carotid pressure for tap

Key Technical Details

Critical elements that determine success:

  • Neck Encircling Grip: Proper arm placement around neck for blood choke mechanics
  • Arm Trap Control: Isolating opponent’s near arm to prevent blocking choke
  • Grip Configuration: Secure figure-four or gable grip for maximum choke leverage
  • Rolling Dynamics: Controlled forward roll to maintain position and tighten choke
  • Finishing Pressure: Elbow squeeze and hip arch to compress carotid arteries

Success Modifiers

Factors that increase/decrease probability:

  • Grip Precision: Accuracy of neck encirclement and arm trap (+/-20%)
  • Opponent Posture: Degree of head exposure in front headlock (+/-15%)
  • Rolling Control: Stability and tightness during dynamic roll (+/-15%)
  • Arm Isolation: Effectiveness of trapping opponent’s defense arm (+/-10%)
  • Knowledge Test Performance: Understanding choke mechanics (+/-10%)

Counter-Attack Analysis

Common Counters

Opponent responses with success rates:

  • Head Pull-Out: Tucking chin and pulling head free → Turtle Position (Success Rate: 40%, Conditions: early recognition)
  • Arm Defense: Blocking choke arm with free hand → Neutral Position (Success Rate: 35%, Conditions: quick reaction)
  • Roll Resistance: Basing out to prevent roll → Front Headlock Defense (Success Rate: 25%, Conditions: strong base)
  • Counter Submission: Attacking attacker’s arm or neck → Guillotine (Success Rate: 20%, Conditions: advanced skill)

Format: [[Counter Technique]] → [[Result State]] (Success Rate: X%, Conditions: [when applicable])

Decision Logic

If [choke setup] is recognized early:
- Execute [[Head Pull-Out]] (Probability: 40%)

Else if [free arm] can block choke:
- Execute [[Arm Defense]] (Probability: 35%)

Else if [strong base] prevents roll:
- Attempt [[Roll Resistance]] (Probability: 25%)

Else [advanced skill] allows counter attack:
- Attempt [[Counter Submission]] (Probability: 20%)

Else [optimal execution]:
- Accept submission (Probability: Success Rate - Modifiers)

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The Anaconda Choke is a sophisticated blood choke that leverages the front headlock position to create devastating pressure on the carotid arteries. The key is in the precise grip configuration and the dynamic rolling motion to maintain control while tightening the choke. This submission teaches critical principles of control and finishing mechanics that are essential for advanced submission grappling.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “In competition, the Anaconda Choke is a high-percentage finish from the front headlock, especially against turtling opponents. I focus on trapping the arm and rolling with control to ensure the choke is locked in before they can defend. This technique demonstrates how dynamic movement can turn a control position into a fight-ending submission.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “The Anaconda Choke is a killer move that blends classic choking principles with modern rolling dynamics, perfect for no-gi and MMA contexts. It’s a great submission for grapplers who like to attack from the front headlock, using the gator roll to overwhelm opponents. This choke integrates well with systems that prioritize control-to-submission chains.”

Each insight should focus on one key technical or strategic element.

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation:

  • Error: Incorrect initial grip around neck

  • Why It Fails: Fails to apply proper pressure to carotid arteries for choke

  • Correction: Ensure bicep and forearm encircle neck tightly on both sides of throat

  • Recognition: Choke feels loose or opponent easily pulls head out

  • Error: Poor arm trap or failure to isolate defense arm

  • Why It Fails: Allows opponent to block choke with free hand or arm

  • Correction: Trap near arm across body or under armpit before locking grip

  • Recognition: Opponent uses arm to defend neck during choke setup

  • Error: Uncontrolled or mistimed rolling motion

  • Why It Fails: Loses choke tightness or position during dynamic transition

  • Correction: Roll forward over trapped arm with control, maintain grip throughout

  • Recognition: Choke grip slips or position is lost after roll

Timing Considerations

When to attempt this submission:

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent exposes neck in front headlock or turtle
  • Avoid When: Opponent maintains strong defensive posture with chin tucked
  • Setup Sequences: After securing front headlock control with heavy pressure
  • Follow-up Windows: Must lock choke within 3-5 seconds to avoid counters

Prerequisites

Requirements before attempting:

  • Technical Skills: Understanding of front headlock control and choke mechanics
  • Physical Preparation: Grip strength and hip mobility for rolling action
  • Positional Understanding: Control points in front headlock and turtle top
  • Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced - requires precise setup and timing

Technical Assessment Elements

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Mechanical Understanding: “What creates the choking pressure in Anaconda Choke?”
  • Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to initiate Anaconda Choke?”
  • Error Prevention: “What is the most common mistake in executing Anaconda Choke?”
  • Setup Requirements: “Which grip is essential for starting Anaconda Choke?”
  • Adaptation: “How do you adjust if the opponent resists during the roll for Anaconda Choke?”

Variants and Adaptations

Different versions for various scenarios:

  • Standard Anaconda Choke: Classic setup from front headlock with figure-four grip
  • No-Gi Variation: Modified grip strength and arm trap without gi
  • Rolling Variation: Dynamic gator roll for tighter choke application
  • Counter Adaptation: Applied as counter to opponent’s escape attempt
  • Combination Setup: Used in chain with other front headlock submissions

Training Progressions

Skill development pathway:

  • Solo Practice: Grip and arm positioning drills without partner
  • Cooperative Drilling: Partner allows setup and roll for technique development
  • Resistant Practice: Partner provides progressive resistance to choke
  • Sparring Integration: Attempt during live front headlock or turtle control
  • Troubleshooting: Identify and correct issues with grip or rolling control

Audio & Narration Elements

Action Descriptions

Dynamic language for TTS narration:

  • Movement Verbs: Encircle, trap, pin, thread, roll, squeeze, arch
  • Spatial References: Around neck, under armpit, trapped arm side, on back
  • Pressure Dynamics: Carotid pressure, chest pinning, elbow squeeze
  • Momentum Descriptions: Dynamic roll, controlled rotation, finishing arch

Coaching Commentary

Real-time instruction and feedback:

  • Setup Cues: “Secure tight grip around neck, trap their near arm”
  • Execution Guidance: “Pin with chest, thread arm for figure-four, roll over trapped side”
  • Adaptation Prompts: “If they pull out, tighten grip and adjust roll angle”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Squeeze elbows, arch hips, force the tap with pressure”

Technical Specifications

Animation Keyframes

For potential visual development:

  • Starting Position: Front headlock or turtle top with initial grip
  • Transition Points: Arm trap, grip lock, rolling motion, choke tightening
  • Finishing Position: On back or side with opponent submitting
  • Alternative Outcomes: Failed attempt leading to neutral or counter submission

Biomechanical Analysis

Scientific movement breakdown:

  • Force Vectors: Inward elbow squeeze, upward hip arch for neck compression
  • Leverage Ratios: Arm configuration as fulcrum for carotid artery pressure
  • Range of Motion: Hip rotation and shoulder extension during roll
  • Power Generation: Core and arm strength for choke squeeze and control

Validation Checklist

Every submission file must include:

  • All required properties with specific numeric values
  • Detailed visual execution sequence (minimum 4 sentences)
  • Complete numbered execution steps (minimum 6 steps)
  • At least 3 common counters with success rates
  • Decision logic for opponent behavior
  • Expert insights from all three authorities
  • Minimum 3 common errors with corrections
  • 5 knowledge test questions with answers
  • Timing considerations and prerequisites
  • Training progression pathway

Example Implementation

See Guillotine Sequence for a complete example implementing all standard requirements.

Notes for Developers

This standard ensures:

  • Consistent submission data for state machine implementation
  • Probability calculations with modifier systems
  • Rich content for comprehensive technical documentation
  • Educational value through expert analysis
  • Technical depth for authentic understanding
  • Structured decision analysis patterns
  • Knowledge assessment integration
  • Training progression guidance

Updates to this standard should be reflected across all submission files to maintain consistency and educational value.

  • Front Headlock - Primary starting position for this submission
  • Turtle Position Top - Alternative control position to initiate choke
  • D’arce Choke - Similar front headlock choke with different arm configuration
  • Guillotine - Alternative choke option from front headlock

Competition Applications

  • IBJJF Rules: Legal at all belt levels, scores as submission win
  • No-Gi Competition: Highly effective with modified grip setups
  • Self-Defense: Useful for controlling and finishing in real-world scenarios
  • MMA Applications: Applicable with adjustments for striking defense

Historical Context

The Anaconda Choke is a modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submission, popularized in no-gi and MMA contexts, often associated with high-level grapplers like Eddie Bravo and Marcelo Garcia. It showcases the evolution of choke techniques from traditional judo and wrestling positions into dynamic BJJ submissions.

Safety Considerations

  • Controlled Application: Apply choke with control to avoid excessive neck pressure
  • Personal Safety: Be prepared to release if opponent counters or escapes
  • Partner Communication: Ensure opponent is ready for dynamic rolling movement
  • Training Environment: Use in controlled settings with proper mats to prevent injury
  • Tap Awareness: Release immediately upon opponent’s tap to prevent injury

Position Integration

Common Anaconda Choke combinations:

Training Applications

  • Submission Development: Essential for front headlock submission arsenal
  • Competition Preparation: High-percentage finish for no-gi and MMA contexts
  • Control Training: Builds skills in transitioning from control to submission
  • Dynamic Mastery: Encourages development of rolling and finishing mechanics

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