⚠️ SAFETY: D’arce-Anaconda Connection targets the Carotid arteries and trachea. Risk: Carotid artery compression causing unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The D’arce-Anaconda Connection represents one of the most fundamental submission chains in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly in no-gi grappling. This connection exploits the geometric relationship between two mechanically similar but positionally distinct blood chokes. Both submissions target the carotid arteries using the practitioner’s arm and the opponent’s shoulder to create a vise-like compression, but they differ in arm configuration and optimal finishing angles. Understanding when to transition between these chokes based on opponent hand position and body orientation is critical for high-percentage finishing from front headlock positions. The connection becomes especially powerful when the opponent defends one choke by adjusting their posture or hand placement, inadvertently creating the perfect setup for the alternative finish. This chain is foundational in wrestling-based BJJ systems and represents essential knowledge for anyone seeking to develop a complete submission game from top turtle, scrambles, and standing exchanges.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Chain Target Area: Carotid arteries and trachea Starting Position: Front Headlock Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Carotid artery compression causing unconsciousness | CRITICAL | Immediate with proper release, potential neurological damage if held post-unconsciousness |
| Tracheal damage from improper forearm placement | High | 2-6 weeks for soft tissue damage |
| Neck muscle strain from explosive application | Medium | 1-2 weeks |
| Shoulder and rotator cuff strain during rolling transitions | Medium | 2-4 weeks |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum to full pressure, NEVER spike or jerk these chokes in training
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or any distress sound)
- Physical hand tap on partner or mat (minimum 2 taps)
- Physical foot tap on mat or partner
- Any loss of consciousness or body going limp
- Any distress signal or unusual movement
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release choking arm and remove all neck pressure
- Roll opponent to recovery position (on their side) if unconscious
- Monitor breathing and consciousness for 30 seconds minimum
- Do not allow training to continue until partner confirms full recovery
- Report any loss of consciousness to instructor immediately
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply competition speed or pressure in drilling
- Never continue pressure after tap or unconsciousness
- Always maintain control during roll to prevent partner landing on head/neck
- Never practice on untrained partners without instructor supervision
- Always ensure training partner can tap with at least one hand
- Never use as a crank or neck lock - maintain proper choking mechanics
Key Principles
- Opponent’s hand position determines which choke is available (hand down = D’arce, hand up = Anaconda)
- Maintain constant connection between your shoulder and opponent’s neck throughout transitions
- The choking mechanism is identical (arm + shoulder compression) but entry angles differ by 180 degrees
- Rolling to finish increases pressure exponentially and prevents defensive hand fighting
- Your non-choking hand controls opponent’s far arm to prevent posting and escape
- Head position and weight distribution are critical for maintaining control during the roll
- The tighter your initial grip, the less rolling distance required to finish
Prerequisites
- Secure front headlock control with opponent’s posture broken down
- Clear assessment of opponent’s defensive hand placement (near-side hand position)
- Your chest pressure keeping opponent flattened or in turtle position
- Control of opponent’s far arm to prevent posting during roll
- Proper distance management - close enough to enter deep with choking arm
- Hip positioning that allows explosive roll to side if needed
- Understanding of which choke is available based on current geometry
Execution Steps
- Assess opponent’s hand position from front headlock: From front headlock control with opponent in turtle or broken down posture, identify whether their near-side hand is positioned high (reaching to defend head) or low (posted on mat). Hand down indicates D’arce availability, hand up indicates Anaconda availability. This assessment determines your entire attack sequence. (Timing: Immediate assessment during initial control establishment) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Enter primary choke based on hand position: If opponent’s hand is down, thread your choking arm under their near armpit for D’arce entry (arm goes under, then over neck). If their hand is up, thread your arm over their near arm and under their neck for Anaconda entry (arm goes over, then under neck). Drive your shoulder into the side of their neck as you secure the initial connection. The depth of this entry determines finishing efficiency. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for deep penetration) [Pressure: Firm]
- Lock grip configuration: For both chokes, connect your hands in a gable grip or figure-four configuration. Your choking forearm should bisect the opponent’s neck at a diagonal angle, with your bicep against one carotid and their own shoulder compressing the opposite carotid. Ensure your forearm blade (not flat) is against the neck for maximum efficiency. Pull your elbows tight together to begin initial compression. (Timing: Instantaneous grip lock) [Pressure: Firm]
- Recognize defensive adjustment and connection opportunity: As you begin to apply pressure, opponent will typically attempt to improve their position by changing their hand placement. If you entered D’arce and they pull their arm up to defend, this creates Anaconda geometry. If you entered Anaconda and they post their hand down to create space, this creates D’arce geometry. This defensive movement is your trigger to transition between chokes rather than force an inferior finish. (Timing: 1-2 seconds after initial pressure) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Transition choking arm to opposite configuration: Without releasing neck connection, adjust your choking arm from one configuration to the other. For D’arce to Anaconda transition: extract your arm from under their armpit, maintain neck contact, and re-thread over their arm. For Anaconda to D’arce transition: slide your arm from over their arm, maintain neck pressure, and re-thread under their armpit. Your shoulder must stay glued to their neck throughout this transition. Think of it as rotating your arm 180 degrees around their neck while maintaining constant contact. (Timing: 2-3 seconds for smooth transition) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Secure far arm control and initiate finishing roll: With your non-choking hand, secure control of opponent’s far arm (either overhook, underhook, or wrist control). This prevents them from posting to stop your roll. Step your near-side leg over their back for additional weight and control. Drive off your far leg to initiate a roll toward the side of your choking arm. Your head drives past their far hip as you roll. The rolling motion dramatically increases arterial compression and prevents hand fighting escapes. (Timing: Explosive 1-2 second roll) [Pressure: Maximum]
- Complete roll and apply finishing pressure: Land with opponent on their side or back with your chest on top of them. Lock your legs in a body triangle or grapevine configuration to prevent movement. Expand your chest while pulling your elbows together and driving your shoulder into their neck. Your head should be positioned away from their legs to prevent defensive kicks. Slowly increase pressure over 3-5 seconds while monitoring for tap. The finish should feel like you’re squeezing your elbows together while expanding your chest outward. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive pressure increase) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Opponent changes hand position from down to up or vice versa (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This is actually a gift - immediately transition to the choke that their new hand position creates. Their defensive movement sets up the alternate finish perfectly. Stay calm and flow with their adjustment.
- Opponent attempts to roll away from the choke direction (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use their rolling momentum to accelerate your own roll. Follow their movement while maintaining arm connection to their neck. Their escape attempt often tightens the choke. Control their far arm to prevent them from posting and stopping the roll.
- Opponent tucks chin and creates a frame with their arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Rather than forcing through the frame, recognize this as an opportunity to transition to the alternate choke configuration. Their defensive frame often repositions their arm perfectly for the other choke. Use their frame against them by transitioning configurations.
- Opponent bridges explosively to create space (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Ride the bridge while maintaining shoulder-to-neck connection. As they return to the mat, use the momentum to accelerate your roll. Their bridge actually helps load your weight onto their neck when executed properly. Keep your hips heavy and follow their movement.
- Opponent grabs your choking hand to prevent lock (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: If they successfully prevent your grip, immediately switch to the opposite choke configuration where their grip defense becomes irrelevant. Alternatively, use your free hand to strip their grip while maintaining neck pressure with your shoulder. This is one of the most effective defenses and requires smooth transitioning.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary geometric difference that determines whether to apply D’arce or Anaconda from front headlock? A: The opponent’s near-side hand position determines the available choke. If their hand is posted down on the mat, D’arce is available (your arm threads under their armpit then over neck). If their hand is up defending their head, Anaconda is available (your arm threads over their arm then under neck). The chokes are mirror images separated by 180-degree rotation.
Q2: Why is maintaining shoulder-to-neck connection critical during transitions between these chokes? A: The shoulder connection provides constant pressure on one carotid artery while your arm adjusts position. Without it, you create space that allows opponent to escape or defend. Your shoulder acts as an anchor point that remains fixed while your arm rotates around it to change configurations. Losing this connection means losing the entire position.
Q3: What is the proper safety protocol if your training partner goes limp during either choke? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: IMMEDIATELY release all neck pressure and remove your choking arm. Roll partner to recovery position on their side to protect their airway. Monitor breathing and consciousness. Do not move them or allow them to continue training until they are fully alert and coherent. Report the incident to the instructor. Never assume they’re faking or okay - unconsciousness is a serious medical event requiring proper response.
Q4: How does controlling the opponent’s far arm contribute to finishing success? A: Far arm control (overhook, underhook, or wrist control) prevents the opponent from posting to stop your finishing roll. Without this control, they can base out and create a stalemate or escape. The far arm control also allows you to use your entire body weight during the roll, dramatically increasing the pressure on their carotid arteries and preventing defensive hand fighting.
Q5: What is the mechanical difference between a proper blood choke and a dangerous air/neck crank in these submissions? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: A proper blood choke uses the blade/edge of your forearm against the neck at a diagonal angle, with compression coming from your bicep on one side and opponent’s shoulder on the other, targeting the carotid arteries. The finish is a pure squeeze with chest expansion and elbows coming together. A dangerous crank involves twisting or bending the neck, using the flat of your forearm against the trachea, or applying pressure to the spine. Cranks can cause serious cervical injuries and should never be used.
Q6: When should you transition from D’arce to Anaconda or vice versa during the attempt? A: Transition when you feel opponent adjusting their arm position defensively - if they pull their arm up from a posted position (D’arce to Anaconda) or post their arm down from a high position (Anaconda to D’arce). Also transition if the initial choke feels mechanically difficult or if their body structure strongly resists. The key is recognizing that their defensive adjustment often creates perfect geometry for the opposite choke rather than forcing an inferior position.
Q7: Why must pressure be applied progressively over 3-5 seconds in training rather than explosively? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Progressive pressure application gives your training partner time to recognize the danger, assess escape options, and tap safely before losing consciousness. Explosive application can cause unconsciousness before partner realizes they need to tap, creating serious injury risk. Blood chokes work quickly - even slow pressure can render someone unconscious in 5-8 seconds once properly applied. Training safety requires giving partners adequate warning and tap time, while competition allows faster application for tactical advantage.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The D’arce-Anaconda connection represents a perfect example of what I call mechanical complementarity in submission systems. These two chokes are not separate techniques but rather opposite sides of the same geometric coin. The dividing line between them is the position of the opponent’s near arm - when that arm crosses from one side to the other, you must instantly recognize that you’re no longer attacking with D’arce geometry but rather Anaconda geometry, or vice versa. Most grapplers make the critical error of trying to force whichever choke they entered first, even when the opponent’s defensive adjustments have fundamentally changed the available mechanics. The sophisticated approach is to develop such sensitivity to arm position that you flow between configurations without conscious thought, treating them as a single unified attack rather than two separate submissions. From a safety perspective, understand that these are blood chokes when applied correctly - targeting the carotid arteries through compression between your arm and the opponent’s shoulder. Any sensation of crushing the trachea or cranking the neck indicates improper mechanics and serious injury potential. The finish should feel like a tightening vise, not a wrench or twist. In training, apply pressure so slowly that your partner has multiple opportunities to tap before experiencing distress. The goal is technical refinement, not proving effectiveness through dangerous application.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the D’arce-Anaconda connection is one of my highest-percentage finishing sequences from top position, especially in no-gi where the front headlock is such a dominant control. The key competitive insight is that your opponent’s defensive reactions tell you exactly which choke to use - you don’t decide, they decide for you through their hand placement. When I get to front headlock in a match, I’m not thinking ‘I’m going to D’arce this guy’ or ‘I’m going to Anaconda’ - I’m thinking ‘I’m going to choke this guy and his defense will show me how.’ This mindset shift is crucial for high-level competition where opponents know these attacks and defend intelligently. The second critical element is the roll - most people underestimate how much pressure the rolling motion adds. I can get a locked D’arce or Anaconda and have it feel okay to the opponent, but the moment I roll them, the pressure triples instantly. That’s why controlling the far arm before rolling is non-negotiable in competition - if they post, you’ve wasted a finishing opportunity. Training versus competition application differs dramatically with these chokes. In training, I’ll lock it up and apply pressure over several seconds, giving partners clear time to tap. In competition, once I lock the grip and start the roll, I’m finishing as fast as possible. This is one submission where the difference between training and fighting speed is stark, and you must develop that discipline or you’ll injure training partners and lose friends.
- Eddie Bravo: The D’arce-Anaconda connection is fundamental to the 10th Planet system because it exemplifies our philosophy of creating offensive dilemmas from dynamic positions. In our system, we’re constantly moving, constantly creating scrambles, and the front headlock position emerges constantly during these exchanges. What makes this connection so powerful is that it punishes defensive movement - when they defend the D’arce by pulling their arm up, boom, you’ve got the Anaconda. When they defend the Anaconda by posting down, boom, you’ve got the D’arce. They’re damned either way, which is exactly how offense should work. We drill this connection extensively because it teaches the broader principle of reading opponent reactions in real-time and adjusting your attack without hesitation. From a teaching perspective, I always emphasize the safety culture around these chokes. In the 10th Planet gyms, we have a zero-tolerance policy for not respecting taps, and these blood chokes are exactly why. I’ve seen too many people get put out from these chokes, and while nobody got seriously hurt because we have good safety protocols, unconsciousness is not something to treat lightly. Always give your training partners the slow squeeze, always respect the tap instantly, and understand that proving the choke works by choking someone out in training makes you a shitty training partner. Save the fast finishes for competition - in the gym, we’re building each other up, not putting each other to sleep.