Darce Choke Comprehensive Guide To Executing Like A Pro!

The Darce choke is a powerful move in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that allows the wielder to subdue their opponent using an arm triangle style choke. BJJ fighters can perform this move from a front headlock or turtle position, making it a valuable technique to learn. In addition to learning how to perform the move, it is important to discuss its origins and classifications, what differentiates it from similar BJJ moves, and how to avoid making common mistakes. This is how to do a Darce choke like a pro.

What Is The Darce Choke In BJJ?

The Darce choke bjj is one of the variations of an arm triangle choke which uses both arms to trap a fighter’s neck and arm, thus cutting off their blood flow. It typically makes an opponent submit very quickly though the exact time varies based on grip and position. In this case, the choking arm goes under the near arm, in front of the opponent’s neck, and on top of the far arm. The Darce hold is also called the no-gi Brabo choke since this technique does not involve gripping gi, whereas the similar Brabo choke does.

The Darce choke has an interesting origin. Many believe that a Luta Livre competitor in Germany invented it. Björn Dag Lagerström discovered the choke when he attempted to perform an Anaconda Choke in practice and got his arms the wrong way around. So why is it called the Darce choke and not the Lagerström choke?

It gets its name from Joe D’Arce, a third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Renzo Gracie Academy in New York. He may not have invented the technique, but he is the one who popularized the move in competition. It became one of Joe’s signature tournament techniques, which he successfully used. According to an interview, during a sparring session between D’Arce and Jason Miller, Miller was caught off guard by the move. Miller gave it the name and pronunciation “Darce” rather than the proper “D-Arsee,” and the title stuck.

How Is The Darce Choke Different From The Anaconda?

At first glance, the Darce choke might be confused for the Anaconda. While it’s true that the two moves are very similar, there is a subtle visual difference. The arm’s location is on the opposite side from the Anaconda. Instead of locking the choke outside next to the opponent’s shoulder, the Darce choke comes under the near arm and in front of the neck.

How To Do A Darce Choke

After learning about the Darce choke origin, it’s time to put it into practice. The first step is setting up the move depending on the fighters’ positions. To successfully perform the Darce choke in BJJ, the opponent’s head must be near the mat. One of the most common setups includes the opponent sprawling after a takedown and being forced into a turtle position or from securing a snap-down. It is also possible to enter the move from a less favorable position, such as escaping bottom-side control.

Darce Choke From A Sprawling Takedown

To enter a Darce choke from a sprawling position, the grappler must get his arm underneath the opponent’s near arm and come around the front of his neck. Then he must swing his hips to the side to lengthen his bottom arm’s reach. Then he can use his other arm to wrap around and lock his choking hand between his bicep and elbow. From here, he should lean on his shoulder and begin to squeeze to cut off blood flow. Meanwhile, the opponent’s head should be pressed against the grappler’s stomach with his arm pinned to the side of his head and unable to escape. This will most likely lead to a quick submission.

Escaping From A Side Control Into A Darce Choke

Another option is escaping from side control to get a Darce choke. In this instance, the escaping fighter should press their far arm against the opponent’s hip and reach their hand along his back. Simultaneously, the near arm should come underneath the opponent’s arm to cup his own chest. Then, shifting their hips to the side and lifting their back from the floor will cause the opponent to try and put them back down on the mat. The grappler can then turn to the side and slide his far arm against the opponent’s body until it is on their back, allowing them to slide out and escape the side control.

Now that the escape is complete, the fighter can put his opponent into a Darce choke. The first step is to move their arm from their back to his neck so he can’t raise up. Then the near arm switches its grip to come in front of the opponent’s neck and wrap around. Finally, the first arm can lock around the second arm, pinning the hand between the elbow and bicep, and begin to squeeze. The grappler is then free to walk into his opponent, thus causing them to tap out.

Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

To perform the Darce choke correctly, every move must have intention behind it. Getting sloppy can lead to some mistakes, but these can be avoided relatively easily if the fighter keeps their wits about them. Some fighters give up on the Darce choke too soon.

One mistake that can occur when performing a Darce choke from a sprawl is the choker rolling onto his back when squeezing, thus allowing their opponent to escape. If he rolls onto his back, the opponent might sprawl out and have enough leverage to free their trapped arm from the choke. To prevent this, the grappler must keep pressing their shoulder to the mat and not rolling onto their back. This allows enough leverage to cut off their blood flow without sacrificing their advantage.

When performed correctly, the Darce choke is a great technique to take down opponents in BJJ. The scenarios mentioned show the most effective ways to use the Darce choke and some common mistakes to avoid. 

If you want space to practice your chokes and other Jiu Jitsu moves, visit us at Granite Bay Jiu Jitsu. Our instructors are experts in many moves and would love to pass on their knowledge. Try a week free!