D'Arce Choke
- BJJ
- Front Headlock Chokes
- intermediate
- Front headlock / side
- 3 steps
Thread an arm under the neck and far armpit and lock onto your own biceps to strangle, the app’s namesake. Also known as the Brabo choke or the D'arce. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.
When to use it
Use the D’Arce when the opponent turtles, shoots a sloppy takedown, or comes up to a knee to escape side control. Get the front headlock first and thread under the neck and far armpit. It also catches an opponent who pushes into you from half guard with their head low.
Step by step
- 01
Front headlock on the turtle
They are turtled or shooting; sprawl your weight onto their back and head.
- 02
Thread the arm through
Drive your choking arm under their neck and out past their far armpit, so the crook of your elbow is on the neck.
- 03
Lock & squeeze
Grip your own biceps, place the other hand on their back/your head and squeeze, dropping to the side to finish.
Key details
- Thread the arm deep so the elbow crook, not the hand, is on the neck.
- Their own trapped shoulder is one side of the choke; your biceps the other.
- Drop to the side and sprawl heavy to finish.
Common mistakes
- Not threading deep enough, so it slips off the neck.
- Leaving their far arm out instead of trapped.
- Trying to finish flat instead of dropping to the side.
Common counters
Opponents keep their head up, tuck the far arm in tight to block the thread, or roll toward you to escape the pressure. A shallow thread slips off the neck. Thread deep and drop to the side.
How to drill it
From front headlock on a turtled partner, thread the arm through, lock and drop to the side to finish, ten reps on each side. Then work three rounds of one minute where your partner tries to come up to their knees.
Related techniques
Train it with the AI coach