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AdvancedD'arce Choke
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Taught by:Andre GalvaoCraig JonesGordon RyanJohn DanaherLachlan GilesMarcelo GarciaMikey MusumeciNathan MerkleRob Biernacki
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About This Technique
Description
The D'arce Choke is a powerful submission technique commonly used in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. It's a variation of the arm-triangle choke, leveraging the practitioner's arm to constrict the opponent's carotid arteries, forcing them to submit, either due to a blood choke or a sense of suffocation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Position: Half Guard or Side Control
Step 1: Establishing Control
-
From Half Guard:
- If you're in your opponent's half guard, ensure that you have an underhook with your right arm if your opponent's left leg is trapping your right leg.
- Use your head to apply pressure on their far shoulder to control their posture.
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From Side Control:
- Secure your position by applying pressure on their chest with your shoulder and using your hips to control their movement.
- Look to trap their near arm under your armpit for better control and leverage.
Step 2: Getting the Arm Across
- For Both Positions:
- Isolate and control your opponent's arm with your underhook (right arm for this instruction).
- Use your left hand to push their head down and across, ensuring their arm crosses their body.
Step 3: Threading the Arm
- Enter the D'arce:
- Slide your right arm deep under their neck and cross their arm over, like threading a needle.
- Ensure your hand reaches beyond their far shoulder.
Step 4: Lock the Grip
- Secure the Grip:
- With your threaded right arm, grab your left bicep with your right hand, forming a one-arm gable grip.
- Use your left hand to cup their head or your own shoulder for added pressure.
Step 5: Applying the Choke
-
Adjust and Squeeze:
- Shrink your right hand back towards your own torso, tightening the choke.
- Step up your left leg (knee up, foot on the mat) for leverage or adjust your body by sprawling to increase pressure.
- Squeeze your arms and pull your left elbow to your side, compressing their neck towards the shoulder.
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Finish:
- You should feel them tap due to the constriction on their carotid arteries. Be ready to release immediately upon their tap.
Tips and Considerations:
- Keep their arm trapped securely to ensure efficacy and prevent escape.
- Always maintain shoulder pressure on their body to prevent hip movement. This maintains control and minimizes their ability to escape.
Safety Considerations
- Be cautious and stop when you sense your training partner or opponent is about to reach their limit. Safety is paramount.
Implementing the D'arce choke requires practice, timing, and the ability to manipulate your opponent's limbs effectively. Over time, it can become a formidable weapon in your BJJ arsenal.
How to Execute
# D'arce Choke from Half Guard
## Setup
- **Initial Position Details**: Start in the top half guard position, where your opponent is on their back and has one of your legs trapped between theirs. You should be in a stable base with your knee on the mat and your other leg free.
- **Grips and Controls Needed**: Establish an underhook on the opponent's far side arm. Use your free arm to control their head by cupping the back of their neck. Your chest should apply pressure, keeping them flat on their back or slightly turned away from you.
## Steps
1. **Secure the Underhook**: Using your far-side arm, drive a deep underhook underneath your opponent's far-side arm. Your shoulder should be snug against their armpit to maintain control.
2. **Free the Opponent's Head**: With your near-side arm, push the opponent’s head to the opposite side. This will expose the neck and create space to slide your arm through.
3. **Thread the Arm**: Slide your near-side arm under your opponent's neck and reach for your own bicep. This will form the initial setup for the D'arce grip.
4. **Lock the Grip**: Once your arm is threaded, lock your hands by grabbing your bicep with your near-side hand and placing your far-side hand on the opponent's back, creating a figure-four grip.
5. **Adjust Position**: Drop your chest to flatten your opponent and ensure your body is perpendicular to theirs. This will help tighten the choke.
6. **Apply the Choke**: Squeeze your arms together while pulling your opponent's head towards you. Simultaneously, drive your shoulder into their neck to compress the carotid arteries.
7. **Finish the Choke**: Walk your hips slightly backward to increase the pressure and ensure the choke is tight. Hold the squeeze until you feel the tap.
## Key Points
- **Important Details to Remember**:
- Ensure the underhook is deep and tight to prevent the opponent from counter-attacking.
- Keep your weight forward to maintain pressure and control over your opponent.
- **Common Mistakes to Avoid**:
- Failing to control the opponent’s head before threading your arm can give them a chance to defend or escape.
- Not securing a tight grip on your bicep can lead to an ineffective choke.
- Allowing too much space between your chest and the opponent can weaken the choke and make it easier for them to escape.
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