The Darce choke from turtle position is one of the most high-percentage submissions in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly in no-gi competition. This technique capitalizes on the opponent’s defensive turtle posture by attacking the exposed neck and far-side arm, creating a powerful blood choke that can force a tap within seconds when properly executed. The Darce from turtle is especially effective because opponents often feel safe in the turtle position, making them less defensive against this attack. The technique requires precise arm positioning, shoulder pressure, and an understanding of how to create the necessary space to thread your choking arm through. When executed correctly, the Darce choke cuts off blood flow to both carotid arteries while simultaneously creating structural pressure on the neck, making it extremely difficult to defend once locked in. This submission has become a staple in the arsenals of high-level competitors due to its effectiveness against various turtle defensive strategies and its ability to transition seamlessly from other front headlock attacks.
Starting Position: Turtle Ending Position: D’arce Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 70%
Key Principles
- Control opponent’s far shoulder to prevent escape and create threading angle
- Maintain chest-to-back pressure throughout the setup to flatten opponent
- Thread choking arm deep across opponent’s neck before securing grip
- Lock hands with proper grip configuration (palm-to-palm or gable grip)
- Finish with shoulder pressure driving into opponent’s neck while pulling with choking arm
- Keep your head tight to opponent’s far hip to prevent escape
- Use your legs to control opponent’s hips and prevent turning into you
Prerequisites
- Opponent must be in defensive turtle position with head down
- You have established front headlock control or overhook control from turtle top
- Opponent’s far-side arm is exposed and vulnerable to attack
- You have sufficient chest pressure to prevent opponent from sitting through or rolling
- Your base is secure enough to maintain top position while threading arm
- Opponent’s near-side arm is controlled or trapped to prevent defensive framing
Execution Steps
- Establish front headlock control: From turtle top position, secure front headlock control by wrapping your arm around opponent’s neck. Your chest should be heavy on their back, flattening them and preventing them from sitting through to guard. Control their far shoulder with your free hand, using an overhook or grip on their lat muscle. Your weight distribution should be forward, making it difficult for them to move or escape. (Timing: Initial control phase - be patient and heavy)
- Swim your choking arm across the neck: Begin threading your choking arm (the arm that was controlling the neck) across opponent’s throat and toward their far-side armpit. Your forearm should slide across the front of their neck with your bicep on one side of their neck and your forearm on the other. Keep your elbow tight and pointed downward as you swim through. The key is to get as deep as possible - your hand should emerge near their opposite lat muscle. (Timing: Execute when opponent is flat and unable to create space)
- Trap the far-side arm: As your choking arm threads through, ensure opponent’s far-side arm becomes trapped between your bicep and their own neck. This is crucial - the Darce choke works by compressing one side of the neck with your arm and the other side with their own trapped shoulder. Use your free hand to guide their arm into the trap if necessary, or prevent them from pulling it free. (Timing: Simultaneous with threading - don’t allow arm to escape)
- Secure the grip: Once your choking arm is deep, bring your free hand underneath opponent’s body to meet your choking hand. Lock your hands together using either a palm-to-palm grip (preferred for finishing) or a gable grip. Your choking arm’s hand should be palm-down, and your securing hand should grab it from underneath. Ensure the grip is tight and your elbows are close together to maximize pressure. (Timing: Lock grip as soon as both hands can connect)
- Adjust body position for finish: Once hands are locked, adjust your body position by moving your head to opponent’s far hip (away from the choking arm). Your chest should remain heavy on their back. Swing your legs to the side opposite your head, creating an angle that allows you to drive your shoulder pressure into their neck while pulling with your arms. Your body should form roughly a 90-degree angle with opponent’s spine. (Timing: Smooth transition - maintain pressure throughout)
- Apply finishing pressure: To finish the choke, drive your choking-side shoulder forward and down into opponent’s neck while simultaneously pulling your grips toward your own chest. Your forearm should be creating pressure on the near-side carotid while their own trapped shoulder compresses the far-side carotid. Pull your elbows tight together to maximize compression. Expand your chest and arch your back slightly to increase pressure. The tap should come within 2-3 seconds of proper finishing pressure. (Timing: Progressive pressure over 2-3 seconds - monitor partner response)
Opponent Counters
- Opponent sits through to guard before you can thread arm (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Follow them to guard and transition to anaconda choke or guillotine. If they sit through quickly, use their momentum to take their back instead of forcing the Darce.
- Opponent pulls their far arm free during threading (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Switch to front headlock series - guillotine, anaconda, or arm-in guillotine. Don’t fight for the Darce if the arm escapes; transition immediately to prevent losing position.
- Opponent turns into you, facing guard (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: If grip is already secured, maintain the Darce and adjust to a front-facing finish. If not locked, transition to guillotine or use their turn to take mount position.
- Opponent granby rolls away from the choking arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their roll and use the momentum to come up on top in side control or mount. If grip is locked, maintain it throughout the roll and finish from the new position.
- Opponent gets hand inside to defend neck (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Increase shoulder pressure and work to remove their defensive hand by driving your head toward their far hip. Focus on clearing the space by expanding your chest and driving your shoulder through their defending hand.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary mechanical difference between the Darce choke and a guillotine choke from turtle position? A: The Darce choke uses opponent’s own trapped shoulder to compress one carotid artery while your forearm compresses the other, creating a figure-four style choke. The guillotine compresses the front of the neck with your forearm while your hip or chest provides the counter-pressure. The Darce is a blood choke targeting both carotid arteries, while the guillotine can be either a blood choke or airway restriction depending on placement.
Q2: Why is it critical to move your head to opponent’s far hip when finishing the Darce from turtle? A: Moving your head to the far hip creates the proper body angle (approximately 90 degrees to opponent’s spine) that allows you to drive your shoulder forward into their neck while pulling your grips to your chest. This angle maximizes the compression force on the carotid arteries. Without this angle adjustment, you cannot generate sufficient shoulder pressure and must rely solely on arm strength, which is far less effective and more exhausting.
Q3: What should you do if opponent successfully pulls their far-side arm free during your Darce setup from turtle? A: Immediately abandon the Darce attempt and transition to an alternative attack from the front headlock series, such as a guillotine choke, anaconda choke, or arm-in guillotine. You can also use the front headlock control to take their back if they’re turning into you. Never waste energy fighting for a Darce when the far arm has escaped - the technique requires the trapped arm to be effective.
Q4: How should pressure be applied when finishing the Darce choke to ensure both safety and effectiveness? A: Pressure should be applied progressively over 2-3 seconds, starting at zero and building to full compression. The finish comes from driving your shoulder forward into opponent’s neck while pulling your locked grips toward your chest and squeezing your elbows together. Monitor your partner’s response continuously and release immediately upon feeling a tap. Never apply explosive or jerking motions - the choke should feel like a steadily tightening vice, not a sudden attack.
Q5: What is the proper depth indicator when threading your arm for the Darce choke from turtle? A: Your hand should emerge near opponent’s far-side lat muscle (the muscle on their back, below the armpit). Your entire forearm should cross the front of their neck, with your bicep on one side of their neck and your forearm on the other. If you can’t see or feel your hand near their opposite lat, your threading is too shallow and the choke will not be effective. Proper depth is more important than speed when setting up the technique.
Q6: Explain the mechanical relationship between chest pressure and successful Darce entry from turtle position? A: Heavy chest pressure on opponent’s back serves multiple critical functions: it flattens them and prevents them from sitting through to guard, it creates the space and angle needed to thread your arm across their neck, it controls their movement and limits defensive options, and it maintains your dominant position throughout the setup. Without consistent chest pressure, opponent can create space to escape or defend. The pressure must be maintained from initial control through the moment you lock your grip - any gap allows opponent to move.
Safety Considerations
The Darce choke is a blood choke that restricts blood flow to the brain and must be practiced with extreme caution and respect. Apply pressure progressively and slowly, never explosively or with jerking motions. Both partners must have clear tap protocols established - verbal tap, physical tap with hand, and foot tap if hands are trapped. The person applying the choke must release IMMEDIATELY upon receiving any tap signal. During training progressions, build pressure over 3-5 seconds minimum to allow partner time to recognize danger and tap. Never ‘spike’ the pressure suddenly. Monitor your partner’s face and body for signs of distress - if they cannot tap (rare but possible if both hands are trapped), look for color change, body going limp, or unusual sounds. In competition, referees will stop the match if they see signs of unconsciousness, but in training you are your partner’s primary safety monitor. Common injuries from improper application include neck strain, carotid artery damage from excessive force, and unconsciousness if held too long. If training partner loses consciousness (goes limp, snoring sounds, unresponsive), release immediately, lay them flat, elevate legs slightly, and monitor breathing. They should regain consciousness within seconds. If not, seek immediate medical attention. Never practice finishing pressure on untrained partners or those who don’t understand tap protocols.
Position Integration
The Darce from turtle is a cornerstone technique in the modern front headlock submission system and represents one of the highest-percentage finishes from turtle top position. This technique integrates seamlessly into a comprehensive turtle top attack sequence that includes the anaconda choke, guillotine variations, clock choke, crucifix position, and back take options. The beauty of the Darce from this position is that it shares the same initial control (front headlock) as multiple other attacks, creating a submission dilemma for the defending opponent. If they defend the Darce by sitting through, you can transition to anaconda or guillotine. If they defend by pulling their far arm free, you can attack the back or switch to different submissions. The technique is particularly important in no-gi BJJ where the turtle position is common due to the difficulty of controlling opponents without gi grips. Understanding the Darce from turtle allows you to pressure opponents who use turtle as their primary defensive position, forcing them to either risk submission or abandon the turtle entirely. This technique also chains effectively with other positional transitions - a failed Darce attempt can lead to side control, mount, or back control, ensuring you maintain offensive advantage even if the submission doesn’t finish. In the broader context of BJJ strategy, the Darce from turtle exemplifies the principle of attacking during opponent’s defensive transitions, catching them when they feel safe but are actually vulnerable.
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Darce choke from turtle position represents a perfect marriage of positional control and submission mechanics. The critical understanding here is that the turtle position, while appearing defensive, actually creates geometric vulnerabilities that the Darce exploits beautifully. When we examine the biomechanics, we see that the turtle creates an exposed neck and a far-side arm that can be trapped against that very neck - this is the foundation of the technique’s effectiveness. The key technical detail most practitioners miss is the depth of the initial threading. Your choking arm must achieve complete penetration across the neck - I tell my students that if your hand cannot touch the opponent’s far-side lat muscle, you haven’t gone deep enough. This depth is non-negotiable because it determines whether you can create bilateral carotid compression. The finishing mechanics require precise understanding of leverage points: your shoulder drives into one side of the neck while their trapped arm and your forearm create pressure on the other side. The body angle adjustment - moving your head to their far hip - is what creates the mechanical advantage necessary to finish without relying on strength. This is a technique where technical precision matters far more than physical attributes.
- Gordon Ryan: The Darce from turtle is one of my highest-percentage submissions in competition because most guys feel way too safe in turtle and don’t see it coming until it’s too late. In my matches, I use the threat of the Darce to force reactions - if they defend it by sitting through, I’ve got the anaconda or guillotine ready. If they defend by pulling their arm out, I’m taking the back. The key to hitting this at a high level is speed of execution combined with heavy pressure. You can’t give them time to recognize what’s happening. As soon as I get front headlock control on a turtled opponent, I’m already thinking Darce first. My setup is slightly different from the traditional approach - I like to use my free hand to pull their head up slightly as I thread, which creates just enough space to get really deep really fast. The finish is all about that shoulder drive - I’m not pulling with my arms, I’m driving my shoulder through their neck like I’m trying to touch my shoulder to my opposite hip. In competition, this works at every level because the turtle position is so common, especially in no-gi where people can’t get collar grips to break you down. I’ve finished black belt world champions with this technique. The other huge advantage is that it chains perfectly with my other front headlock attacks, so opponents are stuck in a guessing game they can’t win.
- Eddie Bravo: The Darce from turtle is absolutely crucial in the 10th Planet system because we’re attacking from turtle all the time in no-gi. What I love about this technique is how it fits into our submission chain philosophy - we’re never committed to just one attack, we’re flowing between several based on how they defend. From turtle top, we’ve got the Darce, the Twister, the Truck, back takes, and Crucifix options all available. The Darce is beautiful because it’s so sneaky - people defend the back take and the Crucifix, but they forget about the neck. My variation involves using a lot of shoulder pressure early to flatten them out completely, which makes the threading way easier. I also teach what I call the ‘swim and trap’ method where you’re actively using your free hand to guide their far arm into the trap as you thread - don’t just hope it gets trapped, make it get trapped. One thing we emphasize in training is the transition game - if the Darce isn’t there, we’re immediately flowing to something else without hesitation. The standing finish variation is something we use a lot too - once you’ve got the grip locked, stand up with them and lift them off the mat. Their body weight helps finish the choke and it looks amazing. This technique embodies everything we believe in: aggressive submission hunting, technical innovation, and creating situations where the opponent has no good options.