John Danaher's Devastating Anaconda
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Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through FinishΒ·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
John Danaher's Best Jiu Jitsu Anaconda Secrets - John Danaher shows his secrets to perfect the Jiu Jitsu Anaconda, in thβ¦
Translation: Anaconda Choke (katakana loanword)
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
The sit-through finishing mechanic for the anaconda was developed by competition grapplers seeking reliable alternatives when opponents successfully defended the standard gator roll. [1] This variant became a common secondary finish in the anaconda choke toolkit during the 2010s no-gi competition era. [2],[3]
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- JapanBJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
Effectiveness
The anaconda choke uses an arm-in front headlock configuration combined with a rolling motion to trap and strangle the opponent. [1]
Lineage
The anaconda choke was popularised in MMA and no-gi grappling as a front headlock submission alternative to the d'arce choke. [1]
Competition Record
The anaconda choke has been finished multiple times in UFC competition, notably by Nogueira brothers and Fabricio Werdum. [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 front headlock β Thread arm under opponent's neck and far armpit, clasp hands, gator-roll to the choking side and squeeze
From sprawl after takedown defence β Opponent's head is down, thread the anaconda grip, roll to tighten
From top turtle β Reach under the near arm and around the neck, lock hands and roll opponent onto their back
Variants
Standard anaconda β arm threaded under the neck and over the far arm, finished with a gator roll
No-roll anaconda β finished in place without the gator roll by sprawling and squeezing
Anaconda from guard β applied from bottom position when the opponent's head is low
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Anaconda choke with sit-through creates a tight arm-in strangle; gator roll tightens the squeeze
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 anaconda choke wraps the arm around the opponent's neck and far arm (arm-in) from the front headlock, then finishes with a sit-through roll that tightens the squeeze β named for the constricting snake that tightens with each exhale (Danaher, Front Headlock System: Go Further Faster, 2019)
βThe grip: from front headlock, thread the choking arm around the opponent's neck and their far arm, then connect the hands in a gable or arm-triangle grip β the trapped arm pushes into the carotid
βThe sit-through finish: from the front headlock position, sit through to the opposite side while maintaining the grip β the rolling motion cinches the triangle of the arm, neck, and shoulder
βThe anaconda is an arm-triangle variant: the opponent's own shoulder is wedged against one carotid while the attacker's arm compresses the other β bilateral occlusion using the opponent's body
βThe sit-through is essential: without the roll, the choke lacks the compression angle β the rotation drives the shoulder into the neck while tightening the arm loop
βThe anaconda works best when the opponent turtles or shoots: the head-down, arms-forward position creates the ideal angle for threading the choking arm around neck and arm
βMilton Vieira popularised the anaconda choke in competition, and it has become a staple front-headlock submission alongside the guillotine and D'Arce
Common Mistakes
!Not including the far arm in the choking loop β the anaconda specifically requires the arm trapped inside; without it, the shoulder doesn't wedge against the carotid
!Threading too shallow β the choking arm must pass deep enough around the neck and arm to connect the hands; shallow threading creates a loose choke
!Sitting through to the wrong side β sit through toward the side of the choking arm; sitting opposite loosens the wrap
!Not completing the full roll β the sit-through must roll the opponent onto their side; stopping halfway leaves the choke loose
!Squeezing with arm strength alone β the compression comes from body positioning and the shoulder wedge, not muscular squeezing
!Attempting on an opponent who has posture β the anaconda requires the head to be low; against an upright opponent, use snap-downs first
!Releasing the grip during the sit-through β maintain the hand connection throughout the roll; the transition is the most vulnerable moment for grip loss
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
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 β Japanese technique terminology
Japanese BJJ technique naming conventions article (2019)
Top Japanese MMA fighter β BJJ technique terminology
4OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (ε€ζ₯θͺ) β 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a palm-to-palm grip and a figure-four grip in the anaconda choke?
Most practitioners prefer the figure-four grip over palm-to-palm in the anaconda position. According to Bernardo Faria's breakdown of John Danaher's system, the figure-four grip is the standard choice for this choke.
What should I do if I can't get to the T position to finish the anaconda?
If you cannot achieve the T position, you can switch to finishing with what Danaher calls the 'God position' instead. This gives you an alternative finish when the standard T position isn't available.
How do I decide whether to go for a gear jing or another attack from the anaconda grip?
Position determines your attack choice: the further back the opponent's head is positioned, the more you should target gear jings; the further forward and across, adjust your attack accordingly. Mastering the T position is essential for becoming effective with anaconda variations.
How does the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish work?
The 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. 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.
Where does the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish come from?
The sit-through finishing mechanic for the anaconda was developed by competition grapplers seeking reliable alternatives when opponents successfully defended the standard gator roll. This variant became a common secondary finish in the anaconda choke toolkit during the 2010s no-gi competition era.
Is the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish 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 Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish?
Danger rating 9/10. Anaconda choke with sit-through creates a tight arm-in strangle; gator roll tightens the squeeze
How do I set up the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position β Isolate the Neck β Set the Grip β Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish?
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 Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish?
Common variants: Standard anaconda (arm threaded under the neck and over the far arm, finisheβ¦); No-roll anaconda (finished in place without the gator roll by sprawling andβ¦); Anaconda from guard (applied from bottom position when the opponent's head is low).
How effective is the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish in competition?
The anaconda choke has been finished multiple times in UFC competition, notably by Nogueira brothers and Fabricio Werdum.
What are common mistakes when doing the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish?
Top errors to watch for: Not including the far arm in the choking loop β the anaconda specifically requires the arm trapped inside; without itβ¦ / Threading too shallow β the choking arm must pass deep enough around the neck and arm to connect the hands; shallow tβ¦ / Sitting through to the wrong side β sit through toward the side of the choking arm; sitting opposite loosens the wrap / Not completing the full roll β the sit-through must roll the opponent onto their side; stopping halfway leaves the chβ¦.
What are other names for the Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish?
The Anaconda Choke From Front Headlock Sit-Through Finish is also known as Anakonda ChΕku, Sit-Through Anaconda, Sit-Through Finish Anaconda.