Jiu-Jitsu 101: The D’Arce Choke

When you start learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu, it easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of techniques that make up the arsenal of a BJJ practitioner. There are so many. And each offers its own entries, modifications and finishes, as well as its own unique benefits and drawbacks.

And can we talk about all those names?? A single technique can have two to three different names, depending on which affiliation you train under or which style you practice. It’s daunting – but not impossible – to get them all straight.

In this series, I’ll provide you a 101 guide to the most common – and uncommon – jiu-jitsu techniques. We’ll cover a basic understanding of the techniques, common positions and ways in which they are executed, as well as tips to help you get the desired result, 60% of the time every time.

First up: the D’Arce Choke submission.

What is the D’Arce Choke? 

Among the many submissions in BJJ, the D’Arce choke (sometimes written simply as “Darce”) stands out as one of the most powerful upper body attacks in a practitioner’s toolkit. The D’Arce choke is a type of submission that primarily targets the opponent’s neck, combining elements of a guillotine choke and an arm-in (or “arm triangle”) choke to create a kind of “suffocating” style choke.

The D’Arce was named after the talented BJJ practitioner and MMA fighter, Joe D’Arce, who popularized it after finishing several of his opponents in the first rounds of his UFC fights.

Mechanics of the D’Arce Choke

The D’Arce choke is typically applied from a top position, either from side control or from half guard (though depending on the length of your opponent relative to your own, this can be less successful). It can also be executed from the turtle position, when your opponent goes to his/her hands and knees and you’re on top, situated close to their head.

From side control or half guard, your opponent likely has their hands up, attempting to create a frame and keep you from flattening them onto their back. This allows for you to reach under their topside arm and toward the bottom side of their neck. You want to try to get as deep a reach as possible, so that you can then grab your other bicep with the reaching hand. This will create a kind of rear-naked choke style grip, with your opponent’s arm pressed against their own neck, and the back of their head tucked toward their own chest underneath you. You typically complete the compressive choke by flattening your hips against the mat, squeezing your elbows together and forcing their head further toward their chest.

From the turtle, the entry is similar, but you have to angle your body to achieve more of the 90-degrees that you’d have while in top side control. Once I have the D’Arce locked in, I like to use my body to roll them onto their side, finishing from there.

Key Details for Effective Execution

As with every technique or position, there are key details that make or break the proper and effective execution of it. With the D’Arce, these include:

• Arm Positioning – Most people fail in properly executing the D’arce because their choking arm is too shallow. You might still get the tap, but it will be more of a crank than a true choke. Also, don’t confuse the D’Arce Choke with the Anaconda Choke. They are similar, in that they are both arm-triangle style chokes, but the arm positioning is different. With the D’Arce, your arm enters from their armpit and exits near their neck; with the Anaconda, it’s the opposite.
• Bending the Head – If your opponent can look up, tilting their head back toward their back, they can create just enough space to avoid the choke by keeping your arm shallow and their chin away from their chest. Whether you bend their head before you grab your bicep, or you use the RNC grip to bend it, you need to get their chin toward their check to best constrict their airway.
• Alignment: The alignment of your body – and most importantly your hips – play a significant role in properly executing the D’Arce choke. Make sure your hips are parallel to the mat, or at least tilted no more than 45 degrees, in order to maintain a wide, strong base, keeping your weight centered and down. Your opponent will fight, and if your hips are off alignment, they might be able to roll you to a position that limits the effectiveness of your D’Arce choke.

A Few of Our Favorite Videos:

• Best D’Arce Chokes in UFC History
• The PERFECT Darce Choke with Ruotolo Brothers by BJJ Fanatics
• Darce Choke In-Depth by Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu
• All About the Darce Choke – Pathways and Back-Up Plans by Knight Jiu-Jitsu

The D’Arce choke is a versatile and powerful submission that can be a game-changer for your jiu-jitsu game, transforming you from a reactive, hesitant topside player, to a savage submission hunter.

By understanding its mechanics the most common mistakes, you will be able to practice it more effectively, develop appropriate adjustments when your opponent reacts in non-traditional ways, and ultimately master the D’Arce choke to the point that you can use it effectively in both training and competition.  

Train on, and keep an eye out for our next BJJ 101 technique.