All About the Darce Choke - Pathways & Back-Up Plans
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D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm·Knight Jiu-Jitsu
Hundreds more class instruction videos at Patreon.com/KnightJiuJitsu The Darce choke is an extremely popular head and a…
Translation
Not yet documented
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the BJJ/grappling submission system. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Applying this specific choking or cranking configuration to the opponent's neck or spine
Joints Involved — Neck (cervical spine — the target of all chokes/cranks in this family), arms (the choking limb creates the compression surface), shoulders (positioning determines the choking angle)
Force Vector — Bilateral compression (chokes compress from two sides) or rotational/extension (cranks apply torsion or hyperextension)
Submission Mechanic — The specific grip, arm positioning, and body alignment create the unique compression geometry of this variation
Position & Entry
From back control — Establish back control, then transition to this specific choke/crank variation
From front headlock — Secure the front headlock, then apply this specific choke configuration
From the parent position — Enter through the position described in the parent genus/species
Variants
This is a specific variation — see parent genus/species for alternative variations
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Apply slowly in training — chokes and cranks can cause injury if applied explosively
✓Tap early when caught — blood chokes cause unconsciousness rapidly; neck cranks can damage the cervical spine
✓Drill the specific grip and positioning until automatic
✓Chain with alternative choke variations when this one is defended
Common Mistakes
!Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective
!Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique
!Not controlling posture before applying
!Holding after the tap — release immediately
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Control Position
2Secure the Specific Grip
3Position the Choking Surface
4Apply Compression
5Finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength, arm positioning precision, back control ability
Key muscles
forearms (squeeze), biceps (compression), shoulders (positioning)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my arm deep enough when setting up the D'Arce from turtle?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu recommends centering yourself perpendicular to your opponent while keeping pushing their head in and reaching your arm through to achieve proper depth.
What should I do if my opponent defends against my initial D'Arce attempt?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes that understanding how your opponent will respond to your initial setup allows you to have backup plans ready in the chamber for when they defend a certain way.
Can I use the D'Arce from positions other than turtle?
Yes—Knight Jiu-Jitsu shows entries from turtle position as well as off the ghost escape from side control, offering multiple routes to set up the choke.
Does the D'Arce work in both gi and no-gi?
Knight Jiu-Jitsu confirms the D'Arce works effectively in both gi and no-gi variations, describing it as a really nasty tight choke.
How does the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm work?
The Palm-to-Palm D'Arce from the turtle position uses a Gable-style grip to finish the D'Arce choke when the opponent is in turtle — the palm-to-palm clasp provides maximum squeeze force from the turtle-to-D'Arce angle.
Where does the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm come from?
This variation developed within the broader choking/cranking system of its parent technique family.
Is the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm legal in competition?
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
How dangerous is the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm?
Danger rating 8/10. High — chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early
How do I set up the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm?
The standard setup chain: Establish Control Position → Secure the Specific Grip → Position the Choking Surface → Apply Compression → Finish.
How do I defend against the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm?
Standard counters include: Hand fighting — stripping the grip before the choke is set / Chin tuck — protecting the throat / Posture — creating distance to prevent the choke / Turning — turning to face the attacker.
What are the variants of the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm?
Common variants: This is a specific variation (see parent genus/species for alternative variations).
How effective is the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm in competition?
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm?
Top errors to watch for: Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective / Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique / Not controlling posture before applying / Holding after the tap — release immediately.
What are other names for the D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm?
The D'Arce Choke From Turtle Palm-to-Palm is also known as Dāsu Chōku Pāmu tu Pāmu, Turtle D'Arce, D'Arce from Turtle Position.