BJJ | How To Execute A DβArce Choke From The Turtle Position
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Arm Thread CompressorΒ·Evolve Mixed Martial Arts
In this tutorial, BJJ Champions Robson Indio and Gamal Hassan demonstrate how to execute a D'Arce choke from the turtle β¦
Translation: Front Headlock Choke (katakana loanword)
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
The D'Arce choke from turtle is a species where the head-and-arm strangle is applied against an opponent who has assumed the turtle (all-fours) position. [1] The attacker positions to the side of the turtled opponent, slides the near arm under the chin and through the gap between the neck and the far arm, threading until a figure-four or palm-to-palm grip can be locked on the far side. [1],[2] The turtle position exposes the neck-and-arm channel because the opponent's elbows are typically planted on the mat, creating a natural gap for the D'Arce thread. [2] Once the grip is secured, the attacker rolls the opponent to their side or sprawls heavy to complete the compression. [2],[3] This entry is particularly common in wrestling-heavy grappling where opponents frequently turtle to avoid guard passes. [3]
History & Origin
Attacking the turtle with D'Arce chokes developed as a competitive counter to opponents who turtled defensively rather than conceding guard passes or back takes. [1],[2] In wrestling-heavy MMA and no-gi grappling, the turtle became a common defensive posture, and the D'Arce emerged as one of the most effective submissions against it. [1] This entry point was refined through competition in the late 2000s and early 2010s as front headlock attacks from turtle became increasingly systematized. [1],[2]
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- JapanBJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
Effectiveness
Arm-thread compressor techniques (D'Arce, anaconda) are among the most effective front headlock submissions β they use the opponent's own shoulder as a compression surface, requiring less strength than direct forearm chokes. [1]
Lineage
The arm-threading principle appears in catch wrestling (arm-in headlocks) and was systematised in BJJ by Milton Vieira (anaconda) and Joe D'Arce (D'Arce choke). Danaher's front headlock system further organised the subfamily. [1]
Competition Record
Arm-thread compressors dominate front headlock submission statistics at ADCC and no-gi competition. The D'Arce and anaconda together account for a significant percentage of front headlock finishes. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries β restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved β Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector β Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism β Vascular strangle β occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From top half guard β Thread the arm under opponent's far arm and around the neck, lock the figure-four behind their shoulder, sprawl and squeeze
From side control β Opponent turns in, thread the arm under their armpit and around the neck, connect hands and apply pressure
From front headlock β Snap-down creates access, thread arm under the far armpit, circle to the choking side and lock
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Arm-thread chokes (D'Arce/Brabo) compress the neck using the arm threaded under the opponent's armpit
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
β FIAS Sport Sambo β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
β IBJJF β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFβ shime-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFβ ADCC β Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFβ Unified MMA β Legal β choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFβ FIAS Combat Sambo β Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
βThe arm-thread compressor subfamily encompasses front headlock chokes where the attacking arm threads through the space between the opponent's neck and arm β creating arm-triangle compression from the front (Danaher, Front Headlock System: Go Further Faster, 2019)
βThe threading concept: the arm passes through the neck-arm gap (either over the arm and under the neck, or under the neck and over the arm) to create a triangular choking structure
βThis subfamily includes the D'Arce, anaconda, and related arm-in strangles β all share the principle of threading the arm to trap the opponent's shoulder as a compression surface
βThe arm-thread compressor is biomechanically efficient: the opponent's own shoulder provides one side of the bilateral compression, reducing the force the attacker must generate
βCommon entries: front headlock, sprawl, half guard top, guard passing β any position where the opponent's head and arm are accessible for threading
βThe threading direction determines the specific technique: under-neck threading creates the D'Arce family, over-neck threading creates the anaconda family
βThe arm-thread compressor principle is fundamental in no-gi grappling: without collar grips, threading the arm to use the opponent's body for compression is the primary strangling mechanism
Common Mistakes
!Threading without first controlling the opponent's head β head control (front headlock, crossface) must be established before the arm threads through
!Not trapping the near arm inside the loop β the shoulder compression requires the arm inside; threading around the neck alone creates a headlock, not an arm triangle
!Threading too shallow β depth is critical; the arm must pass far enough to connect the hands (figure-four or gable grip)
!Not understanding the two threading directions β under-neck-over-arm (D'Arce) and over-neck-under-arm (anaconda) create different mechanical advantages; know which you're applying
!Attempting from bottom position β arm-thread compressors work from top or neutral position; from bottom, the threading lacks the necessary gravitational advantage
!Not adjusting body position after threading β hip angle, sprawl depth, and chest pressure all affect the compression; threading alone doesn't finish the choke
!Forcing the thread against a tight-elbowed opponent β if the neck-arm gap is closed, use snap-downs or other attacks to open it before threading
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position β secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck β clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip β lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure β squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Wikipedia ja (γγγ³γγγ§γΌγ―); Japanese BJJ community
Japanese Wikipedia β martial arts technique articles
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (ε€ζ₯θͺ) β used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationWikipedia ja (γγγ³γγγ§γΌγ―); Japanese BJJ community
Japanese terminology sourced from Wikipedia ja (γγγ³γγγ§γΌγ―); Japanese BJJ community
Community
Athletics
Requires
long arms for threading under armpit and around neck
Favours
longer limbs, lean build
Key muscles
biceps, deltoids, forearm flexors, core (for sprawl pressure)
Sub-techniques
Find by what a technique does β not its name
Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool β or compare equivalents across styles.
Category
Distance
Body target
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Arm Thread Compressor work?
The D'Arce choke from turtle is a species where the head-and-arm strangle is applied against an opponent who has assumed the turtle (all-fours) position. The attacker positions to the side of the turtled opponent, slides the near arm under the chin and through the gap between the neck and the far arm, threading until a figure-four or palm-to-palm grip can be locked on the far side.
Where does the Arm Thread Compressor come from?
Attacking the turtle with D'Arce chokes developed as a competitive counter to opponents who turtled defensively rather than conceding guard passes or back takes. In wrestling-heavy MMA and no-gi grappling, the turtle became a common defensive posture, and the D'Arce emerged as one of the most effective submissions against it.
Is the Arm Thread Compressor legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes are the safest submission catβ¦; IJF: legal β Legal (shime-waza) β strangulation techniques are one of three permitted submβ¦; ADCC: legal β Legal; Unified MMA: legal β Legal β choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
How dangerous is the Arm Thread Compressor?
Danger rating 9/10. Arm-thread chokes (D'Arce/Brabo) compress the neck using the arm threaded under the opponent's armpit
How do I set up the Arm Thread Compressor?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position β Isolate the Neck β Set the Grip β Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Arm Thread Compressor?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Arm Thread Compressor?
Common variants: Standard D'Arce (arm threaded under the far armpit and around the neck froβ¦); Marce (short choke) (tighter, shorter threading for compact body types); Standing D'Arce (applied during a scramble without going to the ground); D'Arce from turtle (threaded as the opponent attempts to re-guard from turtleβ¦).
How effective is the Arm Thread Compressor in competition?
Arm-thread compressors dominate front headlock submission statistics at ADCC and no-gi competition. The D'Arce and anaconda together account for a significant percentage of front headlock finishes.
What are common mistakes when doing the Arm Thread Compressor?
Top errors to watch for: Threading without first controlling the opponent's head β head control (front headlock, crossface) must be establisheβ¦ / Not trapping the near arm inside the loop β the shoulder compression requires the arm inside; threading around the neβ¦ / Threading too shallow β depth is critical; the arm must pass far enough to connect the hands (figure-four or gable grip) / Not understanding the two threading directions β under-neck-over-arm (D'Arce) and over-neck-under-arm (anaconda) creaβ¦.
What are other names for the Arm Thread Compressor?
The Arm Thread Compressor is also known as Furonto Heddorokku ChΕku, Arm-In Head-and-Arm Chokes, Threading Chokes.