SAFETY: Bow and Arrow Choke from Truck targets the Carotid arteries. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
Attacking with the Bow and Arrow Choke from the Truck requires understanding that the perpendicular angle and leg entanglement already provide most of the mechanical framework needed for the choke. Unlike the back control variation, you do not need to transition to a side angle because the truck gives you that geometry naturally. Your primary challenge is establishing the deep collar grip while maintaining boot pressure and leg entanglement. The key insight is that the truck’s existing control points serve double duty: the legs that maintain truck position also create the extension force for the choke finish. Patient collar establishment combined with the inherent leverage of the truck position makes this one of the most mechanically efficient bow and arrow entries when properly executed.
From Position: Truck (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Bow and Arrow Choke from Truck?
- Maintain boot pressure on the opponent’s hip throughout the collar grip setup to preserve the perpendicular angle and rotational control
- Feed the collar grip deep past the chin line using the perpendicular angle advantage that the truck provides
- Use the existing leg entanglement as the extension platform for the finish rather than releasing legs to reposition
- Coordinate upper body collar pull with lower body leg extension to create the opposing-force mechanism
- Threaten the twister and calf slicer to force defensive reactions that expose the collar for grip access
- Monitor the opponent’s hand position constantly: hands defending low means the collar is open, hands defending high means redirect to leg attacks
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Bow and Arrow Choke from Truck?
- Established Truck position with boot pressure firmly on the opponent’s hip and leg entanglement controlling their lower body
- Opponent wearing a gi with accessible collar material on the near side of their neck
- Upper body control sufficient to prevent the opponent from rolling through or completing a granby roll during grip establishment
- Boot pressure maintained through entangled legs to keep opponent pinned on their side with back exposed
- Opponent’s defensive focus directed toward twister or leg attacks rather than collar protection
Execution Steps
How do you execute Bow and Arrow Choke from Truck step by step?
- Consolidate Truck control and assess collar access: Ensure your boot is firmly planted against the opponent’s hip with your entangled legs controlling their lower body. Verify your chest or shoulder is pressing against their upper back. Assess which collar is accessible based on the angle of their neck relative to your hand position. The far collar is typically the target from the truck angle. (Timing: 2-3 seconds for assessment)
- 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. Feed four fingers inside the collar and pull the material deep past the chin so the wrist blade sits directly across the carotid arteries. Use a caterpillar grip motion to walk the collar progressively deeper if the opponent resists the initial feed. Maintain boot pressure throughout. (Timing: 3-5 seconds for grip establishment)
- Lock the collar and secure choking position: Once the collar grip is deep, lock your wrist position by pulling your elbow toward your ribs. Adjust your chest pressure against their upper back to prevent them from turning into you. Your choking hand should feel the collar tighten across the front of the neck when you apply even slight pulling pressure toward your hip. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to lock grip)
- 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 leg entanglement is deep enough, your entangled legs serve as the second anchor. The goal is to establish two opposing force vectors: collar pulling the neck toward you, and the leg or entanglement pulling or bracing the opponent’s body away from you. (Timing: 1-3 seconds for leg control)
- Begin extension and create the bow shape: Extend your entangled legs while pulling the collar grip toward your hip. The opponent’s body should begin stretching between the collar pull and the leg anchor, creating the characteristic bow-and-arrow shape. Use your boot leg as a brace against their hip to amplify the extension force. Your body may slide slightly toward the mat as you extend, which increases the leverage angle. (Timing: 2-3 seconds for extension)
- Apply progressive finishing pressure: With the bow shape established, progressively tighten the choke by pulling the collar toward your chest while extending legs and arching slightly. The two-directional force compresses the collar deep into the carotid arteries. Apply pressure over 3-5 seconds, monitoring for tap signals. Squeeze elbows toward ribs and extend hips to maximize the pull. Release immediately upon any tap indication. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive application)
- Complete finish or transition to alternative attack: If the opponent taps, immediately release all pressure and grips. If they survive by tucking chin or fighting collar, maintain position and regrip deeper using caterpillar motion. If the choke stalls completely, transition to calf slicer by redirecting leg extension pressure to the trapped knee, or release collar and attack the twister using the upper body access you have established. (Timing: Varies based on opponent response)
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 58% |
| Failure | Truck | 27% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Opponent Defenses
How might your opponent defend against Bow and Arrow Choke from Truck?
- Opponent strips collar grip with both hands before it is fully established (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: With both hands occupied stripping the collar, the opponent cannot defend the twister or calf slicer. Immediately redirect to the twister by controlling their far arm, or attack the calf slicer by extending the trapped leg while their hands are high. → Leads to Truck
- Opponent initiates granby roll to escape the truck position during collar setup (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow the roll and transition to traditional back control by inserting hooks during their rotation. Maintain the collar grip throughout the roll, as it often becomes a standard bow and arrow from back control once the roll completes. → Leads to Truck
- Opponent tucks chin and blocks collar from sliding past the jawline (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use caterpillar grip to incrementally walk the collar deeper. Alternatively, apply boot pressure to rotate them slightly, which opens space for the collar to slide past the jaw. If chin tuck is persistent, switch to the short choke variation with a shallower grip. → Leads to game-over
- Opponent clears boot pressure and begins untangling legs (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: If you have the collar grip established, commit immediately to the finish before leg control is fully lost. If the collar grip is not yet deep enough, abandon the bow and arrow and transition to back control by inserting hooks before they fully escape the entanglement. → Leads to Closed Guard