The bow and arrow choke is one of the most powerful and effective submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Its leverage-based mechanics allow even smaller practitioners to submit larger opponents with relative ease. But what makes the bow and arrow choke even more versatile is the variety of ways it can be set up and executed. In this article, we’ll explore several variations of the bow and arrow choke that you can add to your BJJ arsenal, each offering unique angles and setups to catch your opponents off guard.
Understanding The Basic Bow And Arrow Choke
Before diving into the variations, it’s essential to understand the basic mechanics of the bow and arrow choke. This submission is typically executed from the back mount. The choke gets its name from the way you extend your body, pulling on the opponent’s lapel like a bowstring, while your legs act as the bow, controlling their body.
To perform the basic bow and arrow choke, you start by securing a grip on your opponent’s collar with one hand. The other hand grips their pants, typically around the knee area, while you step one leg over their body, locking it against their side. By pulling on the collar and pushing with your legs, you create immense pressure on their neck, leading to a tap. The choke is highly effective because it targets the carotid arteries, cutting off blood flow to the brain.
Now that we understand the basics of the submission, let’s go over some of the best variations of the bow and arrow choke.
Bow And Arrow Choke From Side Control
One of the most interesting variations of the bow and arrow choke is setting it up from side control. This variation is particularly useful when your opponent is defending well and preventing you from taking their back. From side control, you can transition to the bow and arrow choke by first securing the far-side lapel with your top hand. Instead of moving to the back, you step over their body with your far leg, almost as if you were transitioning to a north-south position. As you pull on the lapel and extend your legs, the choke applies the same pressure as the traditional bow and arrow, but from a more unexpected angle.
This variation is effective because it catches opponents who are too focused on defending their backs and not paying attention to the potential for a choke from side control. It’s a great way to add an element of surprise to your game, particularly if your opponent is familiar with your usual back attacks.
Bow And Arrow Choke From The Back
The bow and arrow choke is most commonly associated with attacks from the back. This position allows for a high level of control over your opponent, making it easier to set up the choke. Once you’ve secured the back mount, you can begin by controlling your opponent’s collar with one hand, typically your choking hand. The next step is to reach across their body with your free hand to grip their pants near the knee. By stepping your leg over their body and pulling back on the collar while pushing their leg, you create a tight choke that forces your opponent to tap.
This variation is particularly effective because of the control you maintain over your opponent’s body. Even if they try to roll or escape, your grips on the collar and pants, combined with your leg positioning, keep them firmly in place, allowing you to finish the choke with maximum efficiency.
Bow And Arrow Shin Through Variation
The bow and arrow choke can also be adapted with a shin through variation, adding even more pressure and control to the submission. In this variation, instead of simply pulling on the collar and gripping the pants, you use your knee and shin to apply additional force to your opponent. After securing the collar grip, you position your knee against the back of their neck, then pull back on the collar and push with your knee simultaneously. This creates a tighter choke, as your knee amplifies the pressure on the spine and neck.
This knee variation is particularly useful when dealing with opponents who have strong necks or are adept at defending traditional collar chokes. The added pressure from your knee makes it much harder for them to resist, often leading to a quicker tap. It’s a great way to add another layer of control to the already powerful bow and arrow choke.
Rolling Bow And Arrow Choke
The rolling bow and arrow choke is a dynamic variation that involves using momentum to catch your opponent off guard. This version of the choke starts similarly to the traditional bow and arrow, with you securing the collar grip. However, instead of stepping over their body to finish the choke, you initiate a roll to the side, bringing your opponent with you. The roll creates a sudden shift in position, making it difficult for your opponent to react or defend the choke. As you complete the roll, you lock in the choke by extending your body and pulling on the collar.
The rolling bow and arrow choke is effective because it uses the element of surprise and momentum to secure the submission. It’s particularly useful against opponents who are quick or have good defensive skills, as the roll can disrupt their balance and make it harder for them to resist the choke. Additionally, the rolling motion can help you adjust and tighten the choke as you move, making it even more effective.
Bow And Arrow Choke With A Lapel Trap
The bow and arrow choke with a lapel trap is an advanced variation that adds an extra layer of control and security to the traditional technique. This version is particularly useful when dealing with an opponent who is adept at defending against standard submissions or when you want to ensure a tighter choke.
To set up this variation, you start by obtaining the same grips you would for a traditional bow and arrow choke: one hand gripping your opponent’s collar, and the other hand controlling their pants or leg. However, before moving into the choke, you take an additional step: using your opponent’s lapel to trap one of their arms. The lapel acts as a string to keep their arm in place making it difficult for them to break your grip or turn away to escape.
Conclusion
The bow and arrow choke is a versatile and powerful submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that offers numerous variations to keep your opponents guessing. By mastering these variations, you not only increase your chances of submitting the opponent, but it also gives you several valuable options in case one variation fails. Try them out, and let us know if they work for you!
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