⚠️ SAFETY: Anaconda Variations targets the Carotid arteries and trachea. Risk: Carotid artery compression causing unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Anaconda choke variations represent a sophisticated family of blood chokes that capitalize on front headlock control, turtle attacks, and scramble situations. Unlike the standard anaconda which relies purely on arm encirclement and body compression, these variations offer tactical adaptations for different defensive responses, body types, and positional contexts. The arm-in anaconda sacrifices pure choking mechanics for superior control when opponents defend their neck aggressively. The high elbow variation generates increased shoulder pressure into the carotid while maintaining structural integrity against athletic opponents. The marce choke represents a hybrid evolution combining anaconda mechanics with darce-style shoulder driving, creating a powerful finishing option when traditional angles are compromised. Understanding these variations transforms the anaconda from a single technique into a complete submission system capable of finishing from multiple entries and adapting to diverse opponent responses. Modern competition demonstrates that variation mastery dramatically increases finishing percentages, as opponents who defend one variation often expose themselves to another.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and trachea Starting Position: Front Headlock Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Carotid artery compression causing unconsciousness | CRITICAL | Immediate recovery if released promptly; potential brain damage if held after unconsciousness |
| Trachea compression causing airway damage | High | 1-3 weeks for minor trauma; months for severe damage |
| Neck muscle strain from torque and compression | Medium | 3-7 days |
| Shoulder strain from body lock pressure | Low | 2-5 days |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 4-6 seconds minimum application time; increase pressure gradually while monitoring partner responses
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any verbal distress)
- Physical hand tap on partner’s body or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any loss of consciousness indicators (body going limp)
- Any distress signal or unusual sounds
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release encircling arm and remove all pressure
- Release body lock and create space
- Move to neutral position while monitoring partner
- Check partner consciousness and breathing
- Allow minimum 30 seconds recovery before continuing training
- If unconsciousness occurred: elevate legs, monitor breathing, seek medical attention
Training Restrictions:
- NEVER spike or jerk the choke - apply smooth progressive pressure only
- NEVER use competition speed in training - always use controlled application
- NEVER hold after partner taps - release must be immediate and complete
- NEVER practice on beginners without supervision
- NEVER combine with slams or throws in training
- ALWAYS maintain awareness of partner’s tap accessibility
- ALWAYS communicate with partner before attempting new variations
Key Principles
- Arm encirclement creates the choking mechanism - deep penetration of choking arm is essential for all variations
- Body lock generates compression force - hip pressure drives opponent’s shoulder into their own neck
- Elbow positioning determines variation type - high elbow creates shoulder pressure, standard creates pure compression
- Head control prevents escape - maintaining front headlock structure is foundational to all entries
- Rolling mechanics multiply pressure - coordinated body rotation transforms position into finishing force
- Grip variations adapt to defense - switching between gable, s-grip, and figure-four based on opponent response
- Shoulder driving creates hybrid mechanics - marce variation adds darce-style pressure to anaconda structure
Prerequisites
- Front headlock control established with head trapped and posture broken
- Opponent’s near arm controlled or trapped, preventing defensive posting
- Choking arm positioned deep under opponent’s neck with elbow cleared past centerline
- Body positioning aligned to opponent’s side, creating angle for encirclement
- Weight distribution forward, loading pressure onto opponent’s upper back and neck
- Free hand ready to secure body lock across opponent’s back and under far armpit
- Hip positioning close to opponent’s body to prevent space creation during lock
- Base established to maintain balance during rolling or compression phases
Execution Steps
- Secure deep arm penetration: From front headlock position, drive your choking arm (same side as controlled head) deep under opponent’s neck. Your elbow must clear past their centerline completely. For arm-in variation, capture their defensive arm inside your grip. For high elbow variation, keep elbow elevated near their temple. Your forearm crosses their throat at the carotid arteries, not the trachea. This deep penetration is critical - shallow placement will fail regardless of compression applied. (Timing: 2-3 seconds - establish depth before proceeding) [Pressure: Light]
- Lock hands and trap opponent’s shoulder: Secure your grip by connecting your choking hand to your opposite hand. For standard anaconda, use gable grip (palm to palm) or s-grip (fingers interlaced). Your non-choking arm reaches across opponent’s back and under their far armpit. Lock your hands on the far side of their body. Your choking-side shoulder should now be positioned behind their near shoulder, creating the trap. This configuration turns their own shoulder into a choking mechanism as you apply compression. (Timing: 1-2 seconds - secure lock before compression) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Establish body lock and hip pressure: Circle your hips toward opponent’s far side while maintaining the arm encirclement. Your body should form a tight ‘C’ shape wrapped around their upper body. Drive your hips forward and slightly upward, creating compression. Your chest presses into their trapped shoulder from behind. For marce variation, emphasize shoulder driving similar to darce mechanics. Your head position stays tight to their far hip or ribs to prevent space. This body lock multiplies the choking pressure exponentially. (Timing: 1-2 seconds - position for finish) [Pressure: Firm]
- Execute variation-specific finish: For standard anaconda: Roll toward your choking-side shoulder, bringing opponent with you while maintaining tight encirclement. Land with opponent on top of you, their weight adding to compression. For high elbow variation: Instead of rolling, drive your elbow upward toward their head while expanding chest into their trapped shoulder. For marce choke: Shift weight to drive your shoulder into their neck while walking your feet toward their head, creating darce-style angle. Each variation maximizes different mechanical advantages while maintaining core choking structure. (Timing: 2-3 seconds - progressive increase) [Pressure: Maximum]
- Fine-tune choking angle and pressure: Adjust your position for maximum efficacy. For rolling variation: Pull your elbows tight to your body, eliminating all space. Arch your back slightly to increase compression. For high elbow: Focus pressure through your forearm into their neck while maintaining elevated elbow position. For marce: Walk your feet incrementally higher, each step increasing the angle and shoulder pressure. Your breathing should be controlled - exhale as you tighten. Monitor opponent closely for tap signals. Small adjustments often mean the difference between near-finish and complete submission. (Timing: 3-5 seconds - controlled final adjustment) [Pressure: Maximum]
- Maintain control through completion: Hold position with consistent pressure until tap occurs. Do not prematurely release or adjust. Your entire body remains engaged - arms locked, core tight, hips driving forward. If opponent attempts to roll through or stand up, follow their movement while maintaining arm structure. For rolling variation, be prepared to re-roll if they bridge. For high elbow, anchor your free hand on the mat for stability. For marce, continue walking feet higher if initial angle doesn’t finish. The submission succeeds through sustained technical position, not explosive force. Release immediately and completely upon tap. (Timing: Variable - maintain until tap) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Defensive arm posts to mat to prevent rolling or create space (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Transition to arm-in variation by capturing posting arm inside your lock. This eliminates their defensive post while maintaining choking structure. Alternatively, switch to high elbow variation which doesn’t require rolling.
- Opponent tucks chin aggressively to protect neck and prevent deep arm penetration (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use your free hand to post on opponent’s head, forcing it down and away. Drive your choking arm deeper using hip pressure rather than arm strength. Accept slightly shallower penetration and compensate with increased body lock compression. Marce variation works well against stubborn chin tucks.
- Opponent stands up or attempts to sprawl, creating distance and preventing body lock (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Follow their movement upward while maintaining front headlock control. Transition to high elbow variation which functions standing. Use your body weight to load them down. If they fully stand, consider transitioning to guillotine or back take rather than forcing compromised anaconda.
- Opponent bridges or rolls away from your choking side to escape pressure (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Follow their roll while maintaining tight encirclement. Their movement often increases compression rather than relieving it. Be prepared to re-roll or adjust to marce mechanics if they create unusual angles. Keep elbows tight to your body throughout their escape attempt.
- Opponent attempts to swim arm through or under your choking arm (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Tighten your grip and expand chest into their shoulder to close the gap. Their arm movement often creates better finishing angle. If their arm escapes, immediately transition to darce choke using the same body lock structure but adjusted arm position.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the minimum application time for anaconda variations in training, and why is progressive pressure essential? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Minimum 4-6 seconds of progressive pressure application is required in training. Progressive pressure is essential because blood chokes affecting the carotid arteries can cause unconsciousness rapidly if applied explosively. Gradual application gives your partner time to recognize the danger and tap before losing consciousness. It also teaches proper technical mechanics rather than relying on speed and surprise. Explosive application in training represents a critical safety violation that can cause injury and breaks the fundamental trust required for learning submissions safely.
Q2: How does arm penetration depth affect the success of anaconda variations, and what is the technical checkpoint for sufficient depth? A: Arm penetration depth is the single most critical factor in anaconda success. Your choking arm must penetrate deep enough that your elbow completely clears past the opponent’s centerline - you should be able to see your elbow on the far side of their head. Shallow penetration results in compression against the jaw or face rather than the carotid arteries, transforming a blood choke into ineffective pain compliance. Insufficient depth cannot be compensated by increased compression force. The checkpoint is clear: if your elbow is not visible on the far side, stop and re-adjust rather than proceeding to finish. All variations require this fundamental depth to function as blood chokes.
Q3: What are the three main anaconda variations discussed, and what defensive patterns make each variation the optimal choice? A: The three main variations are: (1) Arm-In Anaconda - optimal when opponent posts defensive arm strongly to prevent rolling, as it captures their posting arm and converts their defense into additional compression; (2) High Elbow Anaconda - optimal when opponent stands, sprawls, or creates vertical distance, as it generates shoulder pressure without requiring rolling mechanics; (3) Marce Choke - optimal when standard anaconda angle is compromised or opponent has exceptional neck defense, as it adds darce-style shoulder driving to anaconda structure from an unexpected angle. Variation selection based on opponent response dramatically increases finishing percentage compared to forcing a single variation against all defensive patterns.
Q4: What immediate actions must you take if your partner goes limp during an anaconda variation, and what are the potential consequences of delayed release? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: If your partner goes limp, you must immediately and completely release all pressure - this means opening your grip and creating space, not gradual release. Move to neutral position while monitoring their consciousness and breathing. If unconsciousness occurred, elevate their legs, monitor breathing closely, and seek medical attention if they don’t regain consciousness within seconds. Delayed release after unconsciousness can cause brain damage from prolonged oxygen deprivation to the brain. Blood chokes restrict carotid arteries, cutting oxygen to the brain. Brain cells begin dying after 4-6 minutes without oxygen, with potential permanent damage occurring much sooner. Immediate release upon unconsciousness is not negotiable - it is a fundamental safety requirement.
Q5: How do body mechanics differ between the rolling anaconda and the marce choke variation, and why does each require different physical positioning? A: Rolling anaconda uses rotational mechanics where you roll toward your choking shoulder, landing with opponent on top of you. Their body weight adds to compression, and the roll creates a tightening spiral effect. Your body forms a tight ‘C’ shape, with the apex of compression at their trapped shoulder. Marce choke uses linear driving mechanics where you walk your feet toward opponent’s head while driving your shoulder into their neck, similar to darce finishing mechanics. This creates pressure from a different angle without rolling. Rolling variation maximizes compression through gravity and body weight. Marce variation maximizes pressure through shoulder drive and angle creation. Different opponent body types and defensive patterns make each optimal in different contexts - larger opponents may be harder to roll but susceptible to marce driving pressure.
Q6: Why is variation mastery considered more important than perfecting a single anaconda technique, according to modern competitive evidence? A: Modern competitive data shows opponents who defend one anaconda variation often expose themselves to another variation. If they post their arm to stop the roll, they create the arm-in setup. If they stand to prevent rolling, they expose the high elbow variation. If they defend neck positioning perfectly for standard anaconda, the marce angle defeats their structure. Single-technique specialists succeed against unprepared opponents but fail against those familiar with that specific defense. Variation specialists maintain finishing capability across multiple defensive responses, dramatically increasing overall submission percentage. The anaconda becomes a system rather than a technique, where each defensive choice opens a different finishing path. This systems approach mirrors John Danaher’s teaching philosophy - create dilemmas where opponent’s defensive options are limited and each choice leads to submission threat.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The anaconda variation system exemplifies proper submission evolution - we begin with a fundamental technique and systematically adapt it to account for every defensive response. The arm-in variation is not a different submission; it is the same mechanical structure optimized for a specific defensive pattern. When opponents post their arm to prevent rolling, that defensive arm becomes incorporated into our choking mechanism. This is efficiency through adaptation. The high elbow variation demonstrates how positional context determines mechanical approach - standing anacondas require different pressure vectors than ground-based applications. Students must understand that variation mastery is not about learning multiple techniques; it is about understanding one technique so thoroughly that you can modify its expression to suit any context. Safety in blood choke training requires understanding the difference between submission and unconsciousness. The submission occurs when proper technique is applied and your partner recognizes they cannot escape. Unconsciousness occurs when we ignore the tap and continue pressure. There is never a legitimate training reason to render your partner unconscious. Competition perhaps requires this in rare situations, but training absolutely forbids it. Your technical growth depends on having healthy, willing training partners. Injuring them through negligence destroys your own development opportunity.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, I view anaconda variations as a front headlock finishing system rather than individual techniques. When I secure front headlock, I’m not thinking ‘anaconda’ or ‘darce’ - I’m reading my opponent’s defensive response and selecting the variation that defeats their specific defense. If they post arm, I trap it for arm-in. If they stand, I use high elbow. If they create weird angle, marce finishes. This variation fluency is what separates competition-level front headlock games from recreational attempts. The critical competition distinction is recognizing submission windows - moments when technique is fully locked and escape is virtually impossible. In those moments, I finish quickly and decisively because I know they cannot escape. But here’s what’s crucial: in training, you must develop the skill to recognize those windows without actually testing them to unconsciousness. You feel when the lock is perfect, when all their defensive options are eliminated, when the choke is inevitable. That feeling is what you chase in training, not the actual unconsciousness. Competition mindset in training destroys your training partners and eventually destroys your own development when no one wants to train with you. Variation timing differs from standard anaconda - the marce often finishes faster because of the shoulder driving angle. High elbow can finish standing which the standard cannot. Understanding these timing differences informs your variation selection in scrambles where speed matters.
- Eddie Bravo: The anaconda variation game is where creativity meets technique. At 10th Planet, we’ve developed some unconventional anaconda variations that most traditional schools don’t teach - reverse rolling anacondas, standing variations that blend with our twister system entries, arm-in variations that set up truck positions. The beauty of the anaconda family is that it works seamlessly in no-gi, which is our specialty. No collar to grip means front headlock becomes even more valuable. What most people miss is that anaconda variations can be entry points to other submissions, not just finishing attempts. I hit arm-in anaconda variations specifically to create gift wrap control, which opens the entire twister system. Marce variations can transition to modified darce entries when angles shift. This is systems thinking - every technique connects to five others. Safety culture at 10th Planet is non-negotiable, and it needs special emphasis with chokes because they finish faster than joint locks. With an armbar, you feel your elbow about to hyperextend and you tap. With a blood choke, you can go from feeling fine to unconscious in two seconds if someone spikes it. That’s why we drill the hell out of progressive pressure and immediate release. I want my students to be anaconda killers in competition, but I need them to be safe training partners every day. Innovation in variation development should never come at the expense of safety fundamentals - new techniques must be introduced at slow speed with clear communication protocols before adding any resistance.