SAFETY: Bow and Arrow Choke from Back Control targets the Carotid arteries. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Bow and Arrow Choke from back control is one of the highest-percentage gi submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Executed from the most dominant position in the sport, this choke combines collar grip pressure across the carotid arteries with leg leverage against the opponent’s thigh to create an extraordinarily powerful finishing mechanism. The name derives from the body position at completion: one hand pulls the collar like drawing a bowstring while the other controls the far leg, stretching the opponent’s body into an arc resembling a drawn bow.
From back control, the choke benefits from the attacker’s complete positional dominance. The hooks or body triangle provide the stable base needed to transition into the finishing position, while the seatbelt grip offers the initial collar access point. The key mechanical advantage lies in the two-directional force application: the collar hand pulls across the neck while the leg-controlling hand pulls the opponent’s body in the opposite direction, creating compression that is nearly impossible to resist once fully locked. Unlike the rear naked choke, the bow and arrow requires gi collar access, but offers superior leverage and is significantly harder to defend once the grips are established.
Strategically, the bow and arrow choke serves as the premier gi-specific attack from back control. It forces opponents into a defensive dilemma: defending the collar grip exposes the neck to rear naked choke attempts, while defending the RNC leaves the collar open for bow and arrow entry. Advanced practitioners use this complementary threat pairing to systematically break down defenses. The choke also chains naturally into armbar transitions when opponents extend their arms to fight the collar grip, making it a cornerstone technique in any systematic back attack game.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries Starting Position: Back Control From Position: Back Control (Top) Success Rate: 62%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness | High | Immediate if released promptly; medical evaluation required if unconsciousness occurs |
| Neck strain from excessive torque and rotation | Medium | 3-7 days for minor strain; 2-4 weeks for moderate strain |
| Jaw or TMJ injury from improper collar placement | Medium | 1-3 weeks for minor injury; 4-8 weeks for significant TMJ damage |
| Knee or hip stress from forced leg extension | Low | 2-5 days for minor discomfort |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum to allow tap recognition
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap
- Physical hand tap on body or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any audible distress signal
- Loss of resistance (immediate release required)
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release collar grip upon tap signal
- Release leg extension and hooks simultaneously
- Allow opponent’s head to return to neutral position
- Check for consciousness and responsiveness
- If opponent was unconscious, elevate legs and monitor until full recovery
Training Restrictions:
- Never spike or jerk the choke - apply smooth progressive pressure only
- Never use competition speed in training rolls
- Always maintain communication with training partner
- Never continue pressure after tap signal
- Beginners must drill position control before attempting finish
- Always allow partner clear access to tap with hands or voice
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 62% |
| Failure | Back Control | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 13% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Secure complete back control with hooks and seatbelt before … | Protect the collar first by maintaining inside hand position… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Secure complete back control with hooks and seatbelt before initiating any collar grip attempt to prevent losing position
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Feed the collar grip deep across the neck past the chin line using the top seatbelt hand, ensuring the blade of the wrist contacts the carotid artery
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Control the opponent’s far leg at the knee or pants to create the bow-and-arrow leverage that makes this choke mechanically devastating
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Slide your hips to the choking side while maintaining chest-to-back connection throughout the grip transition phase
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Extend your legs against the opponent’s thigh in the finishing position to create opposing force that tightens the collar across the neck
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Maintain constant forward pressure with your chest during setup to prevent the opponent from creating defensive space or turning
Execution Steps
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Secure back control and establish collar access: From back control with seatbelt grip, use your top hand (over the shoulder) to reach across and grab…
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Lock the collar grip and adjust hip position: Once the collar grip is established with four fingers inside the collar and the wrist blade pressing…
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Release bottom hook and grab the far leg: Release your bottom hook (the hook on the non-choking side) and use that free hand to reach across a…
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Begin sliding to perpendicular angle: With the collar in one hand and the far leg in the other, begin rotating your body toward a perpendi…
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Establish finishing position with leg extension: Plant your far foot on the mat and extend your choking-side leg across the opponent’s torso or hip, …
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Apply progressive finishing pressure: Pull the collar grip toward your chest while simultaneously pulling the leg grip away from you and e…
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Complete the finish or transition: If the opponent taps, immediately release all grips and pressure. If they defend by tucking the chin…
Common Mistakes
-
Releasing the seatbelt grip before establishing the collar grip, creating a window where neither submission nor position is secured
- Consequence: Opponent escapes back control entirely during the grip transition gap when you have no upper body control
- Correction: Maintain the seatbelt with your bottom arm while your top arm feeds into the collar. Only release the seatbelt after the collar grip is locked and deep.
-
Grabbing the collar too shallow, with the wrist above the chin rather than the blade of the wrist across the carotid arteries
- Consequence: Creates a jaw crusher rather than a blood choke, causing pain but not effective submission, and giving the opponent time to defend
- Correction: Feed the collar past the chin line so the reinforced seam sits directly across the front of the neck. Use a caterpillar grip motion to walk the collar deeper if needed.
-
Failing to control the far leg before committing to the finish, relying only on the collar for the submission
- Consequence: Without the opposing leg control, the choke lacks the mechanical leverage to finish, and the opponent can roll toward you to relieve collar pressure
- Correction: Always establish the leg grip before extending to the finishing position. The two-directional pull is what makes this choke mechanically irresistible.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Protect the collar first by maintaining inside hand position and preventing the top seatbelt hand from accessing the far collar
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Strip or fight collar grips immediately upon feeling collar material slide across the neck before the grip can be locked deep
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Turn toward the attacker during the transition phase when they release a hook to grab the leg, exploiting reduced lower body control
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Tuck the chin and bring shoulders forward to prevent the collar from sliding past the jawline into the choking position
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Control the choking arm with two-on-one grip fighting to prevent the collar from being walked deeper once initial grip is established
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Maintain hip connection with the attacker to prevent them from sliding to the perpendicular finishing angle
Recognition Cues
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The attacker’s top seatbelt hand releases from the harness position and begins reaching across toward your far collar
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You feel collar material being gathered or fed across the front of your neck from the far side
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The attacker begins sliding their hips toward your choking side, shifting weight laterally rather than maintaining centered back control
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One of the attacker’s hooks releases as they begin transitioning to grab your far leg
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You feel a pulling sensation on your collar combined with the attacker’s body moving perpendicular to yours
Escape Paths
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Turn into the attacker during the hook release phase to recover guard before the perpendicular finish is established
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Strip the collar grip with two-on-one fighting and immediately transition to standard back escape sequences targeting hook removal
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If collar grip is locked, grab the choking wrist with both hands and pull it away from your neck while simultaneously turning toward the attacker to close the angle
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Bow and Arrow Choke from Back Control leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.