Blue belt · Defense · Key
D'Arce and anaconda defense
Defense against the D'Arce and anaconda chokes: stop the arm threading under your armpit and stay square. Use it in front headlock, turtle, or when passing with your head low.
Step by step
- Prevent it: keep your elbows tight to your ribs or knees so they can't thread an arm under your armpit and around your neck.
- If they thread the arm through, hand fight: grab the threading wrist and stop it reaching their other arm.
- Keep the trapped arm bent and that hand near your own face. The bent arm keeps the choke loose.
- Square up and keep your weight forward on them. Against the anaconda, post your free hand wide so they can't roll you onto your side.
- Once the grip breaks, pull your head out, get your feet under you and stand, or come up into their guard.
- Tap when the lock is closed and they squeeze or roll you. Both chokes come on fast.
Details that make it work
- The arm under your armpit is the whole setup. Stop it there.
- Weight forward and square. Getting turned onto your side finishes it.
Common mistakes
- Reaching your arm forward on the mat, which feeds the thread.
- Trying to pull your head out before breaking the grip.
Drill it
Partner in front headlock threads for the D'Arce at 50%: 5 hand fights each side, then 2 × 1 min positional.
If it fails, or what comes next
- Front headlock & guillotine defense Escape · Headlocked
- D'Arce choke Submission · Front headlock
This defends against
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