ダースチョーク(Dāsu Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: D'Arce Choke (katakana loanword); also スピニングチョーク
The D'Arce choke (also called the Brabo choke) is a front headlock arm triangle where the attacker threads one arm under the opponent's armpit, across the neck, and locks a figure-four grip with the other arm around the head. [1],[2] The threaded arm compresses one carotid while the opponent's trapped arm wedges against the other side. [1],[3] The D'Arce is typically entered from half guard top, side control, or when the opponent turtles, and is finished by sprawling the hips to tighten the compression. [1],[4] It is the mirror-image of the anaconda choke — in the D'Arce, the arm goes under the armpit first. [1],[5]
The D'Arce choke is named after Joe D'Arce, a Renzo Gracie black belt who popularized the technique in competition during the early 2000s. [1],[2] The same technique was independently developed in Brazil and called the Brabo choke. [1],[3] The arm-threading mechanic has parallels in judo and catch wrestling headlock strangles, but the modern figure-four configuration was systematized in BJJ. [1],[4],[5]
The D'Arce is one of the highest-percentage front headlock submissions in no-gi grappling. The under-neck threading creates extreme compression — when properly locked, the tap comes within seconds. [1]
Named after Joe D'Arce (Renzo Gracie lineage). The mechanics exist in catch wrestling as the 'no-gi brabo.' Also called the Brabo choke in some Brazilian lineages (Milton Vieira). [1]
Extremely common at ADCC and no-gi worlds. Frequently finished in UFC and professional MMA. One of the top 5 submissions at elite no-gi competition. [1]
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How to Do the D'Arce (aka No Gi Brabo) choke in BJJ, no gi submission grappling, and MMA by Denis Kang and Stephan Kesti…
How to do the Perfect Darce Choke - Click Here To Check Out Ruotolo Brother's Instructional Videos - https://bjjfanatic…
The Darce choke (also called the Brabo choke or, in one variation, the Japanese necktie) is a front-headlock submission that can be applied from multiple positions including half guard, side control, bottom guard, and turtle. Stephan Kesting and Dennis Kang emphasize the fundamental mechanics: threading one arm deep under the opponent's arm and across the neck, establishing a two-handed grip (traditionally bicep-to-bicep, or forearm-to-forearm for shorter-armed practitioners), then driving forward to apply pressure. The Ruotolo Brothers, presented by Bernardo Faria, stress the critical importance of using the blade of the wrist—the sharp inner edge—against the opponent's neck rather than relying solely on arm squeeze, which creates both pain and choke simultaneously and is essential for finishing against resilient opponents. They also emphasize keeping the elbow pointed outward rather than rolling over it, as rolling diminishes power. Tim Gillette (Gracie Barra Twin Cities) demonstrates the technique from side control, highlighting the importance of arm depth (achieved by turning the body and bringing the ear to the opponent's lat), using a gable grip to control the head, and finishing by sitting underneath with the knee against the hip rather than sprawling backward. All three instructors agree on the value of depth and proper hand positioning; the Ruotolo Brothers uniquely emphasize wrist-blade engagement and elbow positioning as differentiators in finishing strength.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
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
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Tri-force BJJ Academy (triforce-bjj.com); Tri-force Shiki BJJ (tfshiki-bjj.com); Aoki Shinya (note.com/a_ok_i)
Japan's largest BJJ academy chain — Japanese technique terminology
Japanese BJJ technique naming conventions article (2019)
Top Japanese MMA fighter — BJJ technique terminology
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
Japanese terminology sourced from Tri-force BJJ Academy (triforce-bjj.com); Tri-force Shiki BJJ (tfshiki-bjj.com); Aoki Shinya (note.com/a_ok_i)
hip flexibility, long legs relative to torso
longer limbs for easier figure-four lock around head and arm
hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps
The D'Arce choke applied from the front headlock position, one of the most common entries for this arm-triangle variation. The attacker uses a snap-down or sprawl to establish front headlock control, then threads the choking arm under the opponent's near-side arm and around the neck. This entry is favoured in both MMA and no-gi grappling because the front headlock is a natural position reached from wrestling exchanges.
The D'Arce choke applied from the top half-guard position, where the attacker threads the arm under the bottom player's neck while they attempt to underhook or recover guard. This entry capitalises on the bottom player's exposed neck when they turn to their side to initiate a sweep or underhook. It is one of the highest-percentage D'Arce entries in competition.
The D'Arce choke applied against an opponent in the turtle position, where the attacker threads the choking arm under the turtled opponent's neck and near-side arm. This entry exploits the opponent's defensive posture by attacking the exposed neck while they protect against back takes. The turtle D'Arce is particularly effective when the opponent reaches back to defend hooks.
According to Bernardo Faria, the blade of your wrist is critical—many people fail to get the choke because while it may feel tight, there's no pain being created. Make sure you're using the sharp blade of your wrist to engage the opponent's neck, not just squeezing with depth alone.
Bernardo Faria emphasizes that rolling over your elbow pulls the power out of the choke—it becomes hard to squeeze effectively. Instead, find the blade in the neck first with one hand, then bring your other hand up tight to pull the blade into the neck.
Stephan Kesting explains that while you can finish by squeezing if you're very strong, using biomechanics is more effective: drive forward with your body weight while driving one arm up into the neck and the other down, keeping your elbows tight in a small package.
Tim Gillette (Gracie Barra Twin Cities) recommends using your free hand to pick the opponent's head up slightly, which allows you to shoot your arm through nice and deep—about two to three inches further than you might otherwise reach.
The D'Arce choke (also called the Brabo choke) is a front headlock arm triangle where the attacker threads one arm under the opponent's armpit, across the neck, and locks a figure-four grip with the other arm around the head. The threaded arm compresses one carotid while the opponent's trapped arm wedges against the other side.
The D'Arce choke is named after Joe D'Arce, a Renzo Gracie black belt who popularized the technique in competition during the early 2000s. The same technique was independently developed in Brazil and called the Brabo choke.
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
Danger rating 9/10. Arm-thread chokes (D'Arce/Brabo) compress the neck using the arm threaded under the opponent's armpit
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
Common variants: Standard triangle (classic figure-four leg lock around the head and one arm …); Reverse triangle (legs locked from behind or inverted angle for different a…); Mounted triangle (applied from mount position with gravity assisting the sq…); No-arm triangle (both arms excluded, legs-only compression on the neck).
Extremely common at ADCC and no-gi worlds. Frequently finished in UFC and professional MMA.
Top errors to watch for: Threading the arm too shallow — the arm must pass under the neck deep enough to reach the bicep of the other arm for … / Attempting without the opponent's arm trapped — the D'Arce requires the near arm inside the loop; without the arm, th… / Not sprawling during the finish — the hip sprawl is the primary tightening mechanism; arm squeezing alone is insuffic… / Confusing the D'Arce with the anaconda — the D'Arce threads under-neck-over-arm, the anaconda threads over-neck-under….
The DArce Choke (Brabo) is also known as Dāsu Chōku, Brabo Choke, D'Arce, No-Gi Arm Triangle.
