SAFETY: Bow and Arrow Choke from Truck targets the Carotid arteries. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Bow and Arrow Choke from the Truck position represents a uniquely dangerous convergence of the 10th Planet leg entanglement system with traditional gi collar choke mechanics. Unlike the standard bow and arrow from back control, the Truck variation begins from a perpendicular body alignment with the opponent’s legs already entangled, meaning the attacker does not need to transition to a side angle because the truck itself provides that geometry. The boot pressure against the opponent’s hip creates a natural rotational force that, combined with a deep collar grip, generates enormous choking pressure with relatively little physical effort.
From the Truck, the bow and arrow functions as one prong of a multi-threat attack system. When the opponent defends the twister by protecting their far arm and resisting spinal rotation, they often neglect collar defense, leaving the neck vulnerable to the bow and arrow entry. Conversely, defending the collar grip by bringing hands high exposes the lower body to calf slicer and banana split attacks. This dilemma makes the bow and arrow from Truck particularly effective at the intermediate and advanced levels, where opponents have learned to defend the more common truck submissions but may be unfamiliar with collar-based attacks from this angle.
The mechanical advantage of this variation comes from the existing leg entanglement serving double duty: the legs that control the opponent’s lower body for truck maintenance also provide the extension platform for the bow and arrow finish. The attacker does not need to release hooks or reposition to create the characteristic stretching force. Instead, extending the entangled legs while pulling the collar grip creates the opposing-force mechanism that compresses the carotid arteries. This efficiency makes the Truck bow and arrow one of the fastest-finishing collar chokes when the grip is properly established.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries Starting Position: Truck From Position: Truck (Top) Success Rate: 58%
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 in truck entanglement | 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 entanglement 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 truck position control before attempting finish
- Always allow partner clear access to tap with hands or voice
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 58% |
| Failure | Truck | 27% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Maintain boot pressure on the opponent’s hip throughout the … | Protect the collar first: keep your near hand fighting the o… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Maintain boot pressure on the opponent’s hip throughout the collar grip setup to preserve the perpendicular angle and rotational control
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Feed the collar grip deep past the chin line using the perpendicular angle advantage that the truck provides
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Use the existing leg entanglement as the extension platform for the finish rather than releasing legs to reposition
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Coordinate upper body collar pull with lower body leg extension to create the opposing-force mechanism
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Threaten the twister and calf slicer to force defensive reactions that expose the collar for grip access
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Monitor the opponent’s hand position constantly: hands defending low means the collar is open, hands defending high means redirect to leg attacks
Execution Steps
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Consolidate Truck control and assess collar access: Ensure your boot is firmly planted against the opponent’s hip with your entangled legs controlling t…
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Initiate collar grip with non-boot hand: Using the hand not controlling the boot-side leg, reach across to grab the opponent’s far lapel. Fee…
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Lock the collar and secure choking position: Once the collar grip is deep, lock your wrist position by pulling your elbow toward your ribs. Adjus…
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Control the far leg or establish second anchor point: With your free hand, reach across and grab the opponent’s far pants leg at the knee or shin. If the …
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Begin extension and create the bow shape: Extend your entangled legs while pulling the collar grip toward your hip. The opponent’s body should…
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Apply progressive finishing pressure: With the bow shape established, progressively tighten the choke by pulling the collar toward your ch…
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Complete finish or transition to alternative attack: If the opponent taps, immediately release all pressure and grips. If they survive by tucking chin or…
Common Mistakes
-
Releasing boot pressure to reach for the collar grip, losing the rotational control that keeps the opponent on their side
- Consequence: Opponent can square up, face you, or complete a granby roll, escaping the truck entirely before the collar grip is established
- Correction: Maintain boot pressure through your entangled legs while your upper hand reaches for the collar. The boot is the foundation of the position; never sacrifice it for grip access.
-
Grabbing the collar too shallow with the wrist sitting above the chin rather than across the carotid arteries
- Consequence: Creates a jaw crusher that causes pain but does not produce a blood choke, giving the opponent time to strip the grip and defend
- Correction: Feed the collar past the chin line so the reinforced seam sits directly across the front of the neck. Use caterpillar grip motion to walk the collar deeper if initial access is shallow.
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Attempting the bow and arrow without first threatening other truck attacks to create defensive openings
- Consequence: Opponent anticipates the collar grip and defends with both hands, making grip establishment extremely difficult against a prepared defender
- Correction: Threaten the twister or calf slicer first to force defensive reactions. When their hands go low to defend legs, the collar opens. When hands protect the neck, redirect to leg attacks.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Protect the collar first: keep your near hand fighting the opponent’s collar-feeding hand to prevent deep grip establishment past the chin
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Tuck your chin firmly against your chest to create a physical barrier preventing the collar from sliding into choking position across the carotids
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Address boot pressure simultaneously: use your free hand to fight the boot on your hip to reduce the rotational torque holding you on your side
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Do not neglect leg extraction while defending the collar: a successful collar defense buys time, but only leg escape ends the positional danger
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Recognize the attack early by monitoring the opponent’s hand movement toward your collar: early detection allows prevention rather than late-stage escape
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Tap early when the choke is fully locked: the Bow and Arrow applies enormous pressure and the window between discomfort and unconsciousness is narrow
Recognition Cues
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Opponent’s non-boot hand releases upper body control and reaches toward your collar or lapel
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Increased boot pressure on your hip suggesting the attacker is bracing for the collar reach
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Opponent’s chest pressure shifts as they adjust position to access the far collar from the perpendicular truck angle
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Feeling fingers sliding inside your collar material on the far side of your neck
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Opponent briefly reduces twister or calf slicer pressure to redirect their attack to the upper body
Escape Paths
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Granby roll during collar grip transition to escape truck and recover to open guard or closed guard
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Two-on-one collar strip followed by immediate boot clearing and hip escape to half guard
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Forward roll using trapped leg as pivot to end in deep half guard when lower body escape is blocked
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Bow and Arrow Choke from Truck leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.