D'Arce vs anaconda
The D'Arce goes in under the arm first; the anaconda goes in under the neck first. Both are arm-in chokes from the front headlock.
Arm-in choke: you choke the neck with one of their arms trapped inside your grip. Front headlock: you are in front of your partner and control their head, often while they are on their knees.
Side by side
| What to look at | D'Arce choke | Anaconda choke |
|---|---|---|
| How your arm goes in | Under their near armpit first, then across the front of the neck. | Under their neck first, then up through their far armpit. |
| Lock | Your choking hand grabs your other biceps. | The same lock: your choking hand grabs your other biceps. |
| Best from | Front headlock, turtle, and half guard top when their head is low. | Front headlock, when they are on their knees in front of you. |
| Usual finish | Sprawl your hips back and walk toward their trapped arm, or drop to your side. Then squeeze. | You roll under them so they turn onto their back, then squeeze. |
| Common mistake | Pulling or twisting the head. That is a neck crank, not a choke. | Rolling fast. Roll slowly and keep the choke on the neck. |
When to use which
- Your arm is already near their armpit: the D'Arce is the short way in.
- Your arm is already under their neck, like a guillotine grip: the anaconda is the short way in.
- Their near elbow is tight to their knee, so you cannot get under the armpit: try the anaconda.
Your partner shoots for your legs and you sprawl. You end up in front of their head. Your arm slides under their neck, like a guillotine. You thread it up through their far armpit and lock the anaconda.
Your arm went under your partner's neck first, then up through the far armpit. Which choke is this?
In the library
Read the full pages: D'Arce choke and Anaconda choke.
Train it on the Path
The Escaping chokes and locks unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
Escaping chokes and locks is part of the Blue belt, included in Rolla Plus. Start free with Foundations and the white belt.