John Danaher's Devastating Anaconda
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Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
John Danaher's Best Jiu Jitsu Anaconda Secrets - John Danaher shows his secrets to perfect the Jiu Jitsu Anaconda, in th…
Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock
Speciesアナコンダチョーク(Anakonda Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Anaconda Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
The anaconda choke from front headlock is applied by threading the attacking arm under the opponent's far-side arm and across the near side of the neck, then locking a figure-four grip and performing a gator roll to tighten the strangle. [1],[2] From the front headlock, the attacker reaches across to encircle both the head and one arm, creating the arm-in compression structure. [1] The gator roll — a lateral rolling motion — is used to flatten the opponent and eliminate their base, pulling the choke tight as the bodies rotate. [1],[2]
History & Origin
The anaconda choke was popularized in submission grappling and MMA by Milton Vieira and later by fighters like Nogueira and others who used the front headlock as the primary entry. [1],[2] The technique shares mechanical DNA with the D'Arce choke but threads the arm in the opposite direction, under the far arm rather than the near arm. [1] The gator roll finishing mechanic distinguishes the anaconda from other front headlock strangles and has become its signature movement. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
The anaconda from front headlock is a primary arm-in choke — the over-neck-under-arm threading creates reliable bilateral compression using the opponent's shoulder. High finishing rate when properly locked. [1]
Lineage
Popularised by Milton Vieira in BJJ competition. The mechanics appear in catch wrestling (arm-in headlock) and were systematised within the Danaher front headlock system. [1]
Competition Record
A staple front headlock submission at ADCC, no-gi worlds, and MMA. One of the primary alternatives to the guillotine from front headlock control. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From front headlock — Thread arm under opponent's neck and far armpit, clasp hands, gator-roll to the choking side and squeeze
From sprawl after takedown defence — Opponent's head is down, thread the anaconda grip, roll to tighten
From top turtle — Reach under the near arm and around the neck, lock hands and roll opponent onto their back
Videos
How To Do An Anaconda Choke Without Neck Cranking
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Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock·Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu
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What Instructors Say
The anaconda choke from front headlock is a submission technique that evolved from wrestling in the 1990s, combining figure-four grip mechanics with positional control to create a highly effective stranglehold. According to John Danaher (via Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics), the technique's development involved adapting wrestling strangles—historically performed with palm-to-palm grips by wrestlers like David Schultz—into jiu-jitsu's preferred figure-four configuration. The critical innovation was the T-position, where the attacker's body forms a perpendicular angle relative to the opponent, forcing the opponent's head into an unnatural position with the ear driven toward the shoulder. This geometry creates dual carotid occlusion: the attacker's forearm on one side and the opponent's own shoulder on the other. Danaher emphasizes that elbow position dictates technique selection; anaconda suits scenarios where the opponent's elbow is positioned forward and across the body. Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu stresses precise elbow alignment perpendicular to the neck during the choke itself, ensuring pressure targets the soft tissue containing the carotid artery rather than the hard muscle, preventing ineffective cranking. Both instructors agree that the roll-through transition—using a gable grip and head tuck before rolling—proves more effective than immediately locking the grip, as premature grip establishment allows the opponent to widen elbows and escape. If the opponent flares elbows defensively, leg-lock variations can neutralize arm defense.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — John Danaher's Devastating Anaconda: Provided historical context tracing anaconda evolution from 1990s wrestling, detailed the T-position as the core biomechanical innovation, explained decision-making between anaconda/darce/guillotine based on opponent elbow position, and outlined contingency strategies when T-position breakdown is unavailable
- Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu — How To Do An Anaconda Choke Without Neck Cranking: Demonstrated proper elbow alignment perpendicular to the neck to ensure forearm contacts the carotid artery rather than muscle, showed the gable-grip roll-through entry to prevent elbow widening, and illustrated leg-lock transitions when opponent defends with elbow flare
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Anaconda/gator-roll chokes use a rolling motion to tighten the arm-in head-and-arm strangle
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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
✓The anaconda choke from front headlock threads the arm over the opponent's neck and under their far arm to create an arm-triangle compression — the front headlock provides the head control for initial threading (Danaher, Front Headlock System: Go Further Faster, 2019)
✓From front headlock: the choking arm passes over the neck and under the opponent's far arm, then the hands connect — the opponent's arm is trapped inside the loop
✓The front headlock entry is the most common anaconda entry: the head-down position gives the attacker access to the neck-arm gap needed for threading
✓Two primary finishes from this entry: the gator roll (rolling to cinch the grip) and the hip-walk (stepping to tighten gradually)
✓The anaconda from front headlock is a counter to the turtled or sprawled opponent: their defensive posture (head down, arms forward) creates the ideal threading geometry
✓The front headlock anaconda creates a three-sided compression: the attacker's arm compresses one carotid, the opponent's shoulder compresses the other, and the chest drives the position tight
✓The anaconda is the primary arm-in choke from front headlock when the arm threads over the neck — the D'Arce threads under the neck for comparison
Common Mistakes
!Threading over the neck without going under the far arm — the arm must pass under the arm to trap the shoulder; over-neck-only is a headlock, not an anaconda
!Not connecting the hands — the grip must close the loop; an unconnected threading allows the opponent to pull the head out
!Attempting the anaconda with the near arm trapped instead of the far arm — the far arm provides the shoulder wedge; the near arm doesn't create the same geometry
!Not choosing a finishing method — decide between gator roll and hip walk before committing; indecision stalls the position
!Threading too shallow — the arm must pass deep enough to connect the hands; shallow threading can't be finished
!Not controlling the opponent's posture before threading — the head must be low and controlled; threading against an upright opponent fails
!Holding the position without finishing — the anaconda from front headlock is a transitional position; finish quickly before the opponent adjusts
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
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
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
5CitationTri-force BJJ Academy (triforce-bjj.com); Tri-force Shiki BJJ (tfshiki-bjj.com); Aoki Shinya (note.com/a_ok_i)
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)
Community
Athletics
Requires
long arms for head-and-arm wrap, core strength for gator roll
Favours
longer limbs, athletic build
Key muscles
biceps, deltoids, core rotators, hip flexors
Sub-techniques
Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Gator Roll
VarietyThe anaconda choke from front headlock with gator roll entry uses a rolling transition to tighten the head-and-arm strangle while repositioning the opponent from their knees to their side. [1] The attacker threads the arm around the opponent's neck and arm in an anaconda configuration from front headlock, then rolls diagonally — similar to a crocodile's death roll — pulling the opponent over and onto their side. [1,2] The gator roll serves two purposes: it tightens the compression loop by coiling the attacker's body around the opponent, and it eliminates posting base, preventing the opponent from resisting the strangle. [2] The rolling momentum generates additional squeeze pressure that is difficult to replicate from a static position. [2,3]
Explore
Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Hip-Walk Finish
VarietyThe anaconda choke from front headlock with hip-walk finish uses a slow, grinding hip-walking motion to tighten the strangle rather than a rolling transition. [1] After establishing the anaconda arm wrap from front headlock, the attacker walks the hips in small increments toward the opponent's head, progressively tightening the compression loop with each step. [1,2] The hip-walk method provides more control than the gator roll, as the attacker maintains a stable base throughout the finishing sequence. [2] This variant is preferred when the opponent is too heavy to roll or when the attacker wants to methodically increase pressure while monitoring the opponent's response. [2,3]
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Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish
VarietyThe anaconda choke from front headlock with sit-through finish uses a sit-through motion to transition the attacker from a sprawl or kneeling position to a seated position beside the opponent, tightening the choke during the transition. [1] After locking the anaconda grip, the attacker swings one leg through and sits to the hip on the choking side, which changes the angle of pressure from vertical to lateral. [1,2] The sit-through creates a powerful rotational force on the choke as the attacker's body weight shifts, and the seated position provides a stable platform for sustained squeezing. [2] This finish is effective when the opponent resists the gator roll by posting with their free arm. [2,3]
Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a palm-to-palm grip and a figure-four grip for the anaconda choke?
According to Bernardo Faria, instructors prefer the figure-four grip for anacondas. The figure-four variation works from the same front headlock position but uses a different hand lock instead of palm-to-palm, making it a simple adjustment that doesn't require much additional technique.
How do I avoid neck cranking when doing an anaconda choke?
Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu emphasizes that elbow position is crucial—your elbow must be completely in line with the neck with no weird angles. Use a gable grip, shoot your arm across the body, tuck your head, and roll through to apply pressure cleanly without cranking.
What should I do if I can't achieve the T position for the finish?
If you can't reach the T position, Bernardo Faria explains that you can finish from god position instead. Alternatively, you can throw your legs around your opponent and come up to a standing position to complete the choke.
How should my opponent defend against the anaconda choke?
Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu notes that flaring the elbow is an effective defense because it makes it very hard to lock up the choke effectively. If an opponent uses this defense, you can counter by bringing your legs up and then down.
How does the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock work?
The anaconda choke from front headlock is applied by threading the attacking arm under the opponent's far-side arm and across the near side of the neck, then locking a figure-four grip and performing a gator roll to tighten the strangle. From the front headlock, the attacker reaches across to encircle both the head and one arm, creating the arm-in compression structure.
Where does the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock come from?
The anaconda choke was popularized in submission grappling and MMA by Milton Vieira and later by fighters like Nogueira and others who used the front headlock as the primary entry. The technique shares mechanical DNA with the D'Arce choke but threads the arm in the opposite direction, under the far arm rather than the near arm.
Is the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock 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 Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock?
Danger rating 9/10. Anaconda/gator-roll chokes use a rolling motion to tighten the arm-in head-and-arm strangle
How do I set up the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock?
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.
What are the variants of the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock?
Common variants: Standard anaconda (arm threaded under the neck and over the far arm, finishe…); No-roll anaconda (finished in place without the gator roll by sprawling and…); Anaconda from guard (applied from bottom position when the opponent's head is low).
How effective is the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock in competition?
A staple front headlock submission at ADCC, no-gi worlds, and MMA. One of the primary alternatives to the guillotine from front headlock control.
What are common mistakes when doing the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock?
Top errors to watch for: Threading over the neck without going under the far arm — the arm must pass under the arm to trap the shoulder; over-… / Not connecting the hands — the grip must close the loop; an unconnected threading allows the opponent to pull the hea… / Attempting the anaconda with the near arm trapped instead of the far arm — the far arm provides the shoulder wedge; t… / Not choosing a finishing method — decide between gator roll and hip walk before committing; indecision stalls the pos….
What are other names for the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock?
The Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock is also known as Anakonda Chōku, Front Headlock Anaconda, Headlock Anaconda Choke.