Anaconda Choke

What it is

The anaconda choke is an arm-in choke from the front headlock where your arm goes under the opponent's neck first and up through their far armpit, then locks on your own biceps. The usual finish is a roll under them that turns them onto their back while the lock tightens. It is the mirror of the D'Arce, threaded from the other direction.

When to use it

• From the front headlock, when their head is under your chest and their far arm is reaching.
• On top of turtle, when you can get your arm under the neck from the front.
• When the D'Arce is blocked because the near elbow is tight.

How to do it

1. From the front headlock, slide your arm under their neck from the front and up through the far armpit.
2. Grip your own biceps on the other arm and put that hand on their back.
3. Pull them tight to your chest so their head and arm are locked together.
4. Roll slowly under them onto your shoulder, so they turn over onto their back with you.
5. Walk your body toward them and squeeze by closing your elbows until they tap.

Key details

• Under the neck first, then the armpit. That is the anaconda; the other way round is the D'Arce.
• The roll is a turn, not a throw. Roll slowly with your partner so the neck is never twisted against the lock.
• The squeeze comes from the elbows closing and your body walking in, not from pulling the head.
• Tap early when you are caught. A badly placed anaconda becomes a neck crank.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: rolling fast with the arm on the jaw. It cranks the neck, which is illegal at every belt and dangerous in training.
• Mistake: rolling before the lock is tight. They come up on top in side control.
• Mistake: squeezing from the front headlock without walking in. You tire out and they posture up.

What they will try

• They tuck the far elbow so the arm cannot come through the armpit.
• They roll with you and keep turning, coming up on top.

Gi and no-gi

The anaconda is the same in gi and no-gi and is one of the main no-gi chokes from the front headlock.