The D'Arce (or Brabo) choke is an arm triangle applied from outside, threading your arm through the space between their head and arm. It's particularly effective against wrestlers and anyone who turtles or shoots with their head down. Unlike the standard arm triangle, the D'Arce catches people during escapes and transitions, making it a predatory submission that punishes movement.
🎯Key Details
Thread the arm
Your choking arm goes through the gap between their head and arm, palm facing down. Reach deep enough that your bicep passes their neck.
Lock position
Your choking hand grabs your other arm's bicep, and that hand cups behind their far shoulder. This is the same figure-four as an RNC but applied from the front.
Hip position is critical
Your hip should be tight to their near hip. Use your chest to drive their trapped arm across their body while your hip blocks retreat.
Finish direction
Roll slightly toward the trapped arm side (away from them) while squeezing. This tightens the choke and removes any remaining space.
When to use vs arm triangle
D'Arce works when their arm is up/out. Standard arm triangle works when you've driven their arm across their face. Read the position.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Not getting deep enough
Your bicep must pass their neck. If your forearm is across their neck, you're not deep enough and it won't finish.
Trying to finish from too far away
Close all space—chest to shoulder, hip to hip. Distance kills the D'Arce.
Giving up the position to chase the choke
If you can't finish, you have dominant position. Use it. Don't release control for a failed attempt.
Forgetting to drive their arm across
Use your chest pressure to force their trapped arm toward their opposite hip. Arm in the middle = no choke.
🚀Setups
- •Half guard top as they underhook
- •Front headlock series
- •Side control when they turn away
- •Sprawl on a shot
- •Turtle attacks
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Don't let them get deep—elbow tight
- •Turn toward them, not away
- •Head up, drive into them
- •Roll through before they lock
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
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