The Ultimate Guide to the D’arce Choke: Master This Sneaky BJJ Submission (And Make Your Opponents Tap)

So, you’ve heard whispers about the D’arce choke—that ninja-like submission that can turn you into a human vise grip. Maybe you’ve seen it in MMA fights, or your BJJ coach threatened you with it while rolling. Either way, this guide will turn you from Darce-choke-dabbler to full-on strangle-savant.

Let’s dive into the art of locking in this submission, avoiding common pitfalls, and making your training partners regret letting you near their necks.

What Is the D’arce Choke? (And Why You Need It in Your Arsenal)

The D’arce choke (pronounced “dars”) is a front headlock submission that strangles your opponent by trapping their arm and neck in a figure-four armlock. Think of it as a cross between a headlock and a straightjacket—if the straightjacket also cuts off blood flow to the brain. It’s a cousin to the anaconda and brabo chokes but stands out for its versatility in gi, no-gi, and MMA.

Fun fact: The choke is named after American black belt Joe D’Arce, who popularized it in the early 2000s. Though rumor has it, the technique has been around since the 1990s, lurking in gyms and waiting to ambush unsuspecting grapplers.

Why the D’arce Choke Works: A Quick Anatomy Lesson

When you lock in a Darce, you’re compressing both carotid arteries (the ones that supply blood to the brain) using your forearm and bicep. No blood flow = instant nap time. But here’s the kicker: Unlike rear-naked chokes, the D’arce lets you attack from the front, making it perfect for shutting down turtling opponents or countering takedowns.

Pro tip: The choke works best when your opponent’s arm is trapped against their neck, creating a “double threat” of pressure. Miss that detail, and you’ll just be giving them a weird hug.

Step-by-Step: How to Darce Choke Someone (Without Getting Stuck)

Let’s break it down. For this example, imagine your opponent is turtling after a failed takedown (a classic Darce scenario).

1. Control the Head & Arm:
2. Slide your chest against your opponent’s back to flatten them.
3. Thread your left arm under their armpit and cup the back of their head with your hand. No half-measures here—this grip is your lifeline.
4. Lock the Figure Four:
5. Reach your right arm deep across their neck, aiming to grab your left bicep.
6. If you can’t reach it, walk your fingers toward your bicep.
7. Squeeze & Finish:
8. Rotate your body 90 degrees to your right, driving your shoulder into your opponent’s neck.
9. Keep your elbows tight and hips low. If they don’t tap, gently whisper, “You’re dreaming” in their ear.

Pro troubleshooting: If the choke feels loose, check your hand placement. Your choking arm’s bicep should press into one side of your opponent’s neck while your forearm seals the other. Still not working? Blame the guy who invented shoulders.

5 Darce Choke Mistakes That’ll Make You the Laughing Stock of the Gym

Even black belts botch this move. Avoid these face-palm moments:

1. Lazy Head Control: Letting their head pop out mid-choke? That’s like trying to eat soup with a fork. Keep that noggin glued to your chest.
2. Rushing the Setup: The Darce isn’t a TikTok trend—slow down. Secure the arm and head first, then commit.
3. Wrong Angles: Finishing flat on your belly? You’ll get stacked faster than a Jenga tower. Rotate sideways for maximum pressure.
4. Ignoring the Legs: Flailing legs = wasted energy. Wrap their waist or thread a leg through to stabilize.
5. Death Gripping: Squeezing like you’re juicing a lemon? Relax! Focus on technique, not brute force.

Darce Choke Variations: Because One Way to Win Isn’t Enough

1. No-Gi Darce:
2. Use a “twister grip” (palm-to-palm) instead of grabbing your bicep. Perfect for sweaty, slippery opponents.
3. Gi-Friendly Darce:
4. Grab your collar to lock the choke. Bonus: Use their lapel to add extra spice.
5. Counter Darce from Bottom:
6. You secure a D’arce choke from disadvantageous positions like the bottom side mount. Here’s a video of a sneaky counter from bottom side control.

4. Marce Choke (aka “The Reverse Darce” ):
5. Same mechanics, but you’re on the opposite side. This is for when you want to confuse everyone in the room.

Darce vs. Anaconda vs. Brabo: Which Choke Reigns Supreme?

• D’arce: Arm threads under the opponent’s armpit. It’s best for turtling opponents.
• Anaconda: Your arm threads over your opponent’s shoulder. It is better from front headlocks.
• Brabo: Uses the gi collar. It has a slower setup but a tighter finish.

Pro Tips to Master the Darce Choke (Steal These from the Experts)

• Drill the “Darce Entry Matrix”: Practice transitioning to the choke from front headlocks, guillotines, and failed takedowns.
• Study the Masters: Watch grappling tournaments and sports like mixed martial arts for more insights on the technique.
• Spar with Purpose: Start each roll thinking, “How can I D’arce this person?”

Darce Choke in MMA: Why Fighters Like Justin Gaethje Love It

The Darce is a fight-ender in MMA because it works even when sweat turns the mat into a Slip ‘N Slide.

Why it’s lethal in MMA:

• It lets you control posture while throwing strikes.
• It’s hard to defend when your hands are busy blocking punches.

Safety First: How to Practice Without Accidentally Choking Out Your Friends

• Tap Early, Tap Often: If your vision starts looking like a Netflix loading screen, TAP.
• Avoid Neck Cranks: Focus on the choke, not twisting the spine. Your training partners aren’t action figures.
• Communicate: Ask your partner, “Too much pressure?” If they answer in Morse code, ease up.

Your Blueprint to D’arce Domination

The D’arce choke is one of the most effective techniques taught in BJJ. It’s equally effective in competition and real-life self-defense scenarios. Drill the steps, laugh off your mishaps, and soon be locking up D’arce chokes on everyone at your gym in no time.

Read more:

The 10 Greatest Heavyweight Boxing Champions of All Time: Legends, Knockouts, and Legacy

UFC’s Dana White Blasts Bryce Mitchell Over Holocaust Denial: Why the MMA World is Furious

Sport Jiu-Jitsu vs. Traditional Jiu-Jitsu: Which Grappling Style Suits You?

10 Must-Know Wrestling Moves for MMA Fighters (Dominate the Ground Game)

15 Basic Boxing Combos Every Beginner Must Master (Win More Fights!)