SAFETY: Bow and Arrow Choke from Invisible Collar targets the Carotid arteries. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Bow and Arrow Choke from Invisible Collar exploits the concealed grip advantage unique to this back control variant. Where a standard bow and arrow requires openly establishing a deep collar grip that often alerts the opponent, the invisible collar setup provides that grip depth before the opponent recognizes the submission threat. This timing advantage means the attacker only needs to execute the transition from concealed back control grip to the angled finishing position, eliminating the most commonly defended phase of the technique.
The finishing mechanics involve rotating to the collar grip side while reaching across to secure the opponent’s far pant leg at the knee. The attacker then extends their body, creating opposing forces that compress the carotid arteries. The collar pulls the neck into the choking forearm while the leg grip prevents the opponent from turning to relieve pressure. This cross-body stretch creates one of the tightest choking mechanisms in gi grappling, with the full skeletal structure generating force rather than muscular effort alone.
Strategically, this variant serves as a high-percentage finishing option within back attack systems. When opponents successfully defend direct collar chokes or rear naked choke attempts from invisible collar, the transition to bow and arrow creates a different angle of attack that bypasses those defenses. The rotation to the side changes the choking vector from a pull-back mechanism to a diagonal stretch, requiring entirely different defensive responses that many practitioners are unprepared for.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries Starting Position: Invisible Collar From Position: Invisible Collar (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 | Invisible Collar | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 13% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Leverage the pre-established invisible collar grip depth rat… | Monitor the attacker’s collar-side hand constantly for any m… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Leverage the pre-established invisible collar grip depth rather than fighting for new collar access
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Time the transition to bow and arrow when opponent is focused on defending hooks or other threats
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Maintain at least one hook until the pant grip is secured to prevent escape during transition
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Generate choking pressure through skeletal extension rather than arm strength alone
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Fall to the collar grip side to maximize mechanical advantage of the diagonal stretch
-
Commit fully to the transition once initiated - hesitation creates defensive windows
Execution Steps
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Verify collar grip depth: Confirm that all four fingers are deep inside the collar with knuckles pressed firmly against the op…
-
Shift hips to the collar grip side: Begin rotating your body from directly behind the opponent to an angle on the collar grip side. Move…
-
Release the near-side hook and plant your foot: Release the hook on the same side as your collar grip and plant that foot on the mat for base. Maint…
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Reach across and secure the far pant grip: Extend your free hand across the opponent’s body to grab the far pant leg behind the knee with a dee…
-
Fall to your hip and begin body extension: Drop to your hip on the collar grip side while simultaneously beginning to straighten your legs. Kee…
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Extend legs and pull pant grip to full stretch: Straighten your legs fully while pulling the pant grip toward your chest and the collar grip toward …
-
Apply finishing pressure with wrist rotation: Rotate your collar grip wrist inward while driving your hips slightly away from the opponent. This f…
Common Mistakes
-
Releasing hooks too early during the transition before securing the pant grip
- Consequence: Opponent escapes back control through the gap left by the missing hooks before the bow and arrow extension can be established, losing dominant position entirely
- Correction: Maintain the far-side hook throughout the transition and only release the near-side hook when your planted foot provides adequate base; never release both hooks simultaneously
-
Pulling the collar away from the neck rather than rotating the forearm across the carotid arteries
- Consequence: Choking pressure is diffused across the jaw and chin rather than concentrated on the carotid arteries, allowing the opponent to endure the pressure and work defensive grips
- Correction: Keep the collar material folded tight against the neck and rotate your wrist inward while pulling toward your own hip; the gi should compress into the neck, not pull away from it
-
Failing to secure a deep pant grip at the knee before committing to the extension
- Consequence: Opponent rotates their hips to relieve choking pressure or pulls their leg free during the extension, eliminating half of the opposing force that creates the choke
- Correction: Grab deep at the pant material behind the knee with a firm four-finger grip in one decisive motion before committing to the body extension; verify the grip is secure before falling
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Monitor the attacker’s collar-side hand constantly for any movement toward your gi collar, treating all collar contact as a threat
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Prioritize preventing the pant grip over stripping the collar grip once the transition has begun
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Turn toward the attacker during the hip shift window before the bow and arrow angle is established
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Keep your chin tucked aggressively throughout to limit choking angles and buy defensive time
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Use two-on-one grip control on the collar hand whenever possible to neutralize the primary threat
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Time explosive escape attempts to coincide with the attacker’s transition movements when their base is compromised
Recognition Cues
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Attacker’s over-hook hand begins migrating from shoulder control toward your collar line, with fingers probing or contacting gi material near your neck
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Attacker shifts their hips laterally to one side rather than maintaining centered position directly behind you, indicating preparation for the side fall
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One hook releases while the other stays engaged, accompanied by the attacker planting a foot on the mat for base on the collar grip side
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Free hand reaches across your body toward the far knee or pant leg, the decisive moment that signals full commitment to the bow and arrow finish
Escape Paths
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Strip the collar grip with two-on-one control and return to standard back defense or turtle position
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Turn into the attacker during the hip shift transition window and recover to closed guard or half guard
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Block the pant grip and work systematic hook removal to escape back control before the attacker can reset the bow and arrow entry
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Bow and Arrow Choke from Invisible Collar leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.