SAFETY: Bow and Arrow Choke from Rear Triangle targets the Carotid arteries. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Bow and Arrow Choke from Rear Triangle combines the structural control of the rear triangle position with the devastating finishing mechanics of the traditional bow and arrow choke. By establishing a triangle lock around the opponent’s neck and one arm from behind, the attacker creates a uniquely stable platform that frees both hands for collar manipulation. The rear triangle eliminates many defensive grip-fighting options available against standard bow and arrow setups from back control, making this a particularly high-percentage finishing variation in gi grappling.
The finishing mechanic relies on feeding a deep cross-collar grip behind the opponent’s neck while the triangle legs maintain positional control. Once the collar grip is established and the free hand secures the opponent’s pants at the knee, the attacker extends their body, arching the back while pulling the collar and straightening the leg grip in opposite directions. This creates a powerful shearing force across the carotid arteries that produces a rapid blood choke.
Strategically, this submission sits at the intersection of two high-control systems: back control through the rear triangle and lapel-based choking through the bow and arrow. The rear triangle provides stability that the traditional bow and arrow from standard back control sometimes lacks, while the bow and arrow adds a devastating finish to a position already rich in submission threats. The trapped arm inside the triangle cannot effectively fight the collar grip, giving the attacker a significant mechanical advantage during setup.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries Starting Position: Rear Triangle From Position: Rear Triangle (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 during extension | Medium | 3-7 days for minor strain; 2-4 weeks for moderate strain |
| Jaw or TMJ injury from improper collar placement catching the mandible | Medium | 1-3 weeks for minor injury; 4-8 weeks for significant TMJ damage |
| Knee or hip stress from forced leg extension against resistance | 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 triangle lock 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 extension in training rolls
- Always maintain communication with training partner throughout the submission
- Never continue pressure after any tap signal is given
- Beginners must drill position control and grip placement before attempting the finish
- Always allow partner clear access to tap with hands or voice
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 62% |
| Failure | Rear Triangle | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 13% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Maintain triangle lock compression while transitioning hands… | Fight the collar grip immediately with your free hand before… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 3 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
-
Maintain triangle lock compression while transitioning hands to collar grip - any loosening allows the opponent to extract their trapped arm during setup
-
Feed the cross-collar grip as deep as possible behind the opponent’s neck so the blade of the forearm contacts the carotid rather than catching the jaw
-
Secure pants grip at the knee on the same side as the collar grip to create opposing force vectors for the finishing extension
-
Use progressive body extension to finish by arching the back while simultaneously pulling the collar and straightening the leg grip in opposite directions
-
Time the collar feed during a moment of defensive stillness since attempting the grip while the opponent is actively fighting increases the risk of losing the rear triangle
-
Keep your choking-side elbow tight against the opponent’s neck throughout the extension to prevent the collar from sliding to a less effective position
Execution Steps
-
Confirm and tighten rear triangle lock: Verify your triangle is properly locked with your ankle behind your knee and knees squeezed together…
-
Break posture and expose the collar: Use your triangle legs to curl the opponent’s posture forward, bringing their chin toward their ches…
-
Feed the cross-collar grip deep behind the neck: Reach your choking hand across the opponent’s neck to their far lapel. Thread your four fingers insi…
-
Secure the pants grip at the knee: With your free hand, reach down and grip the opponent’s pants at the knee on the same side as your c…
-
Begin body extension with controlled pressure: Start extending your legs to push the opponent’s body away from you while simultaneously pulling the…
-
Arch and complete the bow and arrow finish: Arch your back to maximize the distance between the collar pull and the leg extension, creating the …
-
Monitor for tap and execute release protocol: Throughout the extension, stay attentive for verbal or physical tap signals. The blood choke can ren…
Common Mistakes
-
Loosening the triangle lock while reaching for the collar grip
- Consequence: Opponent extracts their trapped arm, eliminating the triangle control and reducing the position to a scramble from back control with weakened hooks
- Correction: Actively squeeze the triangle tighter before releasing your hands. The legs must bear all positional control before you commit both hands to the collar and pants grips.
-
Feeding a shallow collar grip that catches the jaw instead of the neck
- Consequence: Creates painful jaw pressure that may get a pain-based tap in training but is ineffective against a determined competitor who will endure it and continue defending
- Correction: Thread fingers deep into the collar past the jawline before closing your grip. The blade of the wrist must contact the carotid artery on the side of the neck for a proper blood choke.
-
Extending explosively without progressive pressure application
- Consequence: Risk of neck injury to training partner and potential jaw or TMJ damage from rapid force application before the opponent can recognize and signal a tap
- Correction: Apply the extension gradually over 3-5 seconds. Start with light tension and progressively increase until you feel the opponent tap or the choke is clearly engaged.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
-
Fight the collar grip immediately with your free hand before the attacker establishes depth past your jawline - this is your highest priority defensive action
-
Tuck your chin tightly to your chest and turn your face toward the non-choking side to create a structural barrier against the collar feed
-
Control the attacker’s choking wrist or sleeve with your free hand using a two-on-one grip to prevent the collar from threading deeper
-
Create rotation toward the collar grip side to reduce the extension angle and prevent the attacker from achieving full bow and arrow leverage
-
Manage breathing and stay calm despite restricted airway - panicked explosive movements accelerate oxygen depletion and expose you to the finish
-
Recognize that the pants grip establishment is the final defensive window - once both grips are set, tap immediately rather than risk unconsciousness
Recognition Cues
-
Attacker’s hand reaches across your neck toward your far lapel or collar while maintaining the rear triangle lock
-
You feel fingers threading into your collar behind your neck, indicating the attacker is establishing the cross-collar grip
-
Attacker’s free hand reaches down toward your knee or pants after the collar grip is set, signaling the extension finish is imminent
-
The triangle pressure changes angle as the attacker adjusts their hips to create the optimal choking line for the bow and arrow extension
-
Both of the attacker’s hands release previous grips simultaneously, indicating they are confident in the triangle control and transitioning to the bow and arrow setup
Escape Paths
-
Strip the collar grip with two-on-one defense and return to rear triangle survival position with active hand fighting to prevent re-establishment
-
Roll toward the collar grip side during the extension phase while controlling the attacker’s wrist to prevent re-gripping, working to recover closed guard
-
Extract the trapped arm from the triangle structure to eliminate both the positional control and the collar choke threat simultaneously
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Bow and Arrow Choke from Rear Triangle leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.