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Anaconda Choke

Quick Introduction​

The anaconda is an arm-in front headlock choke that wraps around the opponent's neck and their own shoulder, creating tremendous squeezing pressure. It's a devastating no-gi submission that can be applied from scrambles, turtle, or when an opponent is attempting to pass. The anaconda is part of the front headlock family and is particularly effective when opponents defend the guillotine.

Technique Overview​

Type: Blood choke (compression of carotid arteries)

Station: Submissions - Front headlock family

Available from: Turtle (primary), scrambles, failed takedowns, half guard, guillotine defense, nord-sud transitions

Finish: Arm wrapped around neck and shoulder, body gator roll to complete compression

Leads to: Guillotine, darce choke, contrôle latéral, back takes

Anaconda Variations (3 Main Applications)​

🎯 Classic Anaconda from Turtle​

Setup Position

Opponent in turtle position or defending with head lowered and arm extended

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Opponent is in turtle with one arm extended or defending
  2. Position yourself perpendicular to their side (90-degree angle)
  3. Reach your near arm deep under their neck (same side as their extended arm)
  4. Your hand continues through and grabs your own bicep
  5. Your other arm wraps over their back and under their armpit
  6. Lock figure-4 grip (hand to bicep)
  7. Ensure their arm is trapped inside the choke
  8. Roll toward the side of the trapped arm (gator roll)
  9. Land on your shoulder with them on top
  10. Squeeze your arms together while expanding your chest
  11. Maintain tight roll position until tap

Critical Details

  • Arm must be very deep - your shoulder should be against their ear
  • Their arm trapped inside is essential (arm-in configuration)
  • Roll direction: toward the trapped arm side
  • Land on your shoulder, not flat on back
  • Stay tight in ball position after roll
  • Squeeze elbows together, expand chest
  • Lock hands before rolling

Tactical Advantage

High finish rate in no-gi; punishes turtle and defensive postures; works when guillotine is defended; spectacular submission; difficult to defend once locked; surprises opponents

⚔️ Front Headlock Anaconda (Standing/Scramble)​

Setup Position

Front headlock control during scramble or failed takedown with opponent's arm inside

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Have front headlock position (sprawl, scramble, or standing)
  2. Opponent has one arm posted or defending
  3. Thread your arm deep under their neck (same side as posted arm)
  4. Grab your own bicep with threading hand
  5. Other arm goes over their back, under armpit
  6. Complete figure-4 grip
  7. Pull them toward you while starting to drop to hip
  8. Execute gator roll toward trapped arm
  9. Finish in tight ball position
  10. Squeeze and expand chest

Critical Details

  • Timing is critical - catch them in transition
  • Very deep penetration under neck
  • Control their trapped arm with your wrap
  • Roll must be explosive and decisive
  • Don't hesitate once grip is locked
  • Stay tight throughout roll
  • Can finish before completing roll if very tight

Tactical Advantage

Opportunistic during scrambles; fast application; momentum-based finish; catches opponents by surprise; works standing or on knees; excellent for no-gi competition

🔄 Short Choke Anaconda (Tight Variation)​

Setup Position

Similar position but without full gator roll, finishing from top position

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Setup anaconda grip from turtle or scramble
  2. Lock figure-4 grip with arm trapped
  3. Instead of full gator roll, stay more upright
  4. Drive your shoulder into side of their neck
  5. Pull your grips tight toward you
  6. Walk your body around toward their head
  7. Apply downward pressure with shoulder
  8. Squeeze elbows together
  9. Finish without full roll

Critical Details

  • Requires very tight initial grip
  • Shoulder drives into side of neck
  • Less dynamic than full roll version
  • Good when space is limited
  • More control, less spectacular
  • Can transition to other attacks easier
  • Useful when opponent is larger/heavier

Tactical Advantage

Maintains top position throughout; easier to control strong opponents; less risk of losing position; can switch to other attacks; good for teaching mechanics before full roll version

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Arm must be trapped inside - Without arm-in configuration, it's not anaconda
  2. 💪 Deep penetration critical - Shoulder should touch their ear when threading
  3. ⏱️ Lock before rolling - Never attempt roll without secure grip
  4. 🔄 Roll toward trapped arm - Rolling wrong direction loses the choke
  5. 🎮 Variation selection - Choose based on situation:
    • Classic from Turtle → Highest percentage, most common
    • Scramble Version → Opportunistic, timing-based
    • Short Choke → Control-focused, less risky

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Isolation: Their own shoulder and your arm trap the neck
  • Leverage: Body weight and gator roll multiply pressure
  • Timing: Catch during transitions when arm is extended
  • Compression: Multiple angles of pressure converge on neck
  • Position Before Submission: Secure grip before attempting finish

Applying body reading concepts:

  • Structural Control: Use their own shoulder against them
  • Arm Trapping: Isolate their defensive structure
  • Weight Distribution: Gator roll uses full body weight
  • Posture Exploitation: Punish lowered head and extended arm

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Not deep enough - Wrist or forearm on neck instead of shoulder, ineffective

⚠️ Rolling wrong direction - Must roll toward trapped arm side or choke fails

⚠️ Grip not locked - Attempting roll before securing figure-4 loses everything

⚠️ Opening up after roll - Must stay tight in ball position to maintain pressure

⚠️ Wrong arm trapped - Must be same-side arm as your threading arm

⚠️ Flat on back - Should land on shoulder, not flat

⚠️ Slow execution - Must be decisive once grip is secured

🎓 Training Progressions​

Solo Drills​

  1. Anaconda Grip Practice (5 minutes)

    • Practice threading motion on dummy or heavy bag
    • Focus on deep shoulder penetration
    • Build figure-4 grip muscle memory
    • Practice hand to bicep connection

  2. Gator Roll Drill (10 reps each side)

    • Start in turtle position next to wall
    • Practice rolling motion without partner
    • Focus on landing on shoulder
    • Build awareness of roll direction
    • Stay tight in ball position

  3. Position Flow (5 minutes)

    • Dummy in turtle
    • Practice full sequence slowly
    • Thread, grip, roll, finish
    • 10 slow reps each side

Partner Drills​

Level 1: Cooperative (No Resistance)

  • Partner in static turtle position
  • Practice full sequence 10 times each side
  • Focus: Deep threading, proper grip, roll direction
  • Stop at light pressure (safety critical for neck)

Level 2: Light Resistance (25%)

  • Partner in turtle, slight movement
  • Practice timing the grip when they move
  • Focus: Speed of setup and decisive roll
  • Partner defends lightly

Level 3: Positional Sparring (50%)

  • Start from turtle or scramble position
  • Partner actively defends but stays in range
  • Hunt for anaconda opportunities
  • Focus: Recognition and timing

Level 4: Live Application (100%)

  • Full rolling, hunt for anaconda setups
  • From scrambles, turtle, transitions
  • Focus: Opportunistic application
  • Tap early for safety (neck chokes)

Common Setup Drills​

Drill 1: Turtle Attack Series

  1. Partner in turtle position
  2. Move around to their side
  3. Thread arm deep under neck
  4. Lock anaconda grip
  5. Execute gator roll
  6. Finish choke
  7. 10 reps alternating sides

See turtle position concepts

Drill 2: Failed Takedown to Anaconda

  1. Partner shoots takedown
  2. Sprawl to front headlock
  3. When they defend, look for anaconda
  4. Lock grip when arm is inside
  5. Roll and finish
  6. Flow for 3 minutes

Drill 3: Anaconda to Darce Flow

  1. Setup anaconda from turtle
  2. If wrong arm is available, switch to darce
  3. Flow between both setups
  4. Learn to recognize which is available
  5. 5 minutes continuous drilling

Progression Timeline​

Following training methods:

  • Week 1-2: Learn mechanics from static turtle, no roll
  • Week 3-4: Add gator roll with cooperative partner
  • Week 5-8: Positional drilling from turtle and scrambles
  • Month 3-6: Live application, timing development
  • Month 6+: Advanced setups, combination chains

🔧 Troubleshooting Guide​

Problem: Can't Get Arm Deep Enough​

Solutions:

  1. Start from better angle (90 degrees to their side)
  2. Use your head to push their head up slightly
  3. Thread more aggressively and decisively
  4. Ensure your shoulder goes through, not just hand
  5. Practice threading motion repeatedly solo

Problem: Choke Not Tight After Roll​

Solutions:

  1. Check grip was locked before rolling
  2. Ensure you landed on shoulder, not flat back
  3. Stay tight in ball position
  4. Squeeze elbows together more
  5. Expand chest while squeezing
  6. Verify their arm is truly trapped inside

Problem: Losing Grip During Roll​

Solutions:

  1. Lock figure-4 tighter before initiating roll
  2. Keep elbows connected throughout movement
  3. Roll more decisively and faster
  4. Ensure proper grip (hand to bicep, not hand to hand)
  5. Practice the roll slowly first

Problem: Rolling Wrong Direction​

Solutions:

  1. Remember: roll toward the trapped arm
  2. If their right arm is trapped, roll to your right
  3. Practice roll direction repeatedly
  4. Visualize the movement before executing
  5. Start with short choke version to learn mechanics

Problem: Opponent Defends by Pulling Arm Out​

Solutions:

  1. Lock grip faster when opportunity appears
  2. Control their trapped arm with your wrap
  3. Initiate roll before they recognize danger
  4. Use your wrap arm to pin their arm to their body
  5. Switch to guillotine if arm escapes

🔄 Attack Chains & Combinations​

Anaconda → Darce Switch​

When wrong arm is available:

  1. Setup front headlock position
  2. Realize opposite arm is trapped
  3. Instead of anaconda, thread for darce
  4. Complete darce choke
  5. Stay in front headlock family

Learn darce technique

Guillotine → Anaconda Flow​

From guillotine defense:

  1. Have guillotine locked or attempted
  2. Opponent defends by pulling head back
  3. Their arm becomes available
  4. Switch to anaconda grip
  5. Roll and finish
  6. Continuous front headlock pressure

Anaconda → Back Take​

When they defend the roll:

  1. Setup anaconda grip
  2. Attempt gator roll
  3. They counter by rolling with you
  4. Maintain arm control
  5. Take back mount
  6. Finish with rear naked choke

Turtle → Anaconda → Contrôle latéral​

Transition sequence:

  1. Opponent in turtle
  2. Setup anaconda
  3. If not tight enough for finish
  4. Use control to force them flat
  5. Transition to contrôle latéral
  6. Maintain dominant position

See contrôle latéral concepts

💡 Advanced Concepts​

Grip Variations​

Standard Figure-4 (Most Common)

  • Hand grabs own bicep
  • Other arm completes lock
  • Strongest and most secure
  • Learn this first

Gable Grip Anaconda (Alternative)

  • Palm to palm connection
  • When figure-4 is difficult
  • Slightly less pressure
  • Still effective

Short Grip (No Roll Version)

  • Tighter connection
  • Less extension
  • Finish from top position
  • More control-focused

Anaconda vs Darce Decision Tree​

Choose Anaconda When:

  • Same-side arm is trapped (your right arm threads, their right arm trapped)
  • Coming from right side of turtle
  • Arm is more forward/extended
  • You have good threading angle

Choose Darce When:

  • Opposite arm is trapped (your right arm threads, their left arm trapped)
  • Coming from left side angle
  • Better threading path available
  • Transitioning from failed guillotine

Both Available:

  • Choose what you're more comfortable with
  • Anaconda generally more powerful
  • Darce sometimes easier to thread
  • Practice both extensively

The Gator Roll Mechanics​

Physics of the Roll:

  • Uses full body weight
  • Momentum creates compression
  • Landing on shoulder maintains tightness
  • Ball position prevents escape

Key Elements:

  1. Decisive commitment to roll
  2. Roll toward trapped arm always
  3. Land on shoulder
  4. Stay tight throughout
  5. Squeeze immediately upon landing

Common Roll Errors:

  • Hesitating mid-roll
  • Rolling too slowly
  • Landing flat
  • Opening up after roll
  • Wrong direction

No-Gi Specialization​

Why Anaconda is No-Gi Perfect:

  • No gi grips to interfere
  • Body-based control
  • Explosive finish
  • Hard to defend without gi
  • Popular in MMA and submission grappling

No-Gi Adjustments:

  • Faster application needed
  • More aggressive threading
  • Tighter roll execution
  • Sweat makes threading harder
  • Must be very decisive

🎯 Belt-Level Expectations​

White Belt Goals​

Referenced in Beginner's Journey:

  • Understand anaconda mechanics (Month 6-8)
  • Execute from static turtle with cooperative partner
  • Learn safe rolling mechanics
  • Recognize setup opportunities
  • Safe application (tap early to neck chokes)

Blue Belt Development​

Referenced in Skill Progression:

  • Anaconda from turtle and scrambles
  • Smooth gator roll execution
  • Combination with guillotine and darce
  • Recognition during live rolling
  • Consistent application in no-gi

Purple Belt Mastery​

  • Anaconda becomes primary no-gi weapon
  • Setup from any front headlock position
  • Advanced timing in scrambles
  • Teaching ability with clear mechanics
  • Chain to other front headlock attacks
  • Competition-level application

🎯 Next Steps​

After understanding anaconda fundamentals:

  1. Master the gator roll → Critical for safe and effective finish
  2. Drill from turtle extensively → Most common setup position
  3. Learn darce choke next → Complete front headlock system
  4. Practice grip speed → Fast threading is key to success
  5. Study guillotine connections → Flow between front headlock attacks
  6. Train no-gi specifically → Anaconda is no-gi specialized technique

🔗 Related Resources​

Position Prerequisites​

Combination Techniques​

Theoretical Foundation​

Progress Tracking​