Anaconda
Choke
The gator roll submission. Thread, lock, roll—and squeeze them unconscious. The roll is the finish.
Roll To
Finish.
The Anaconda isn’t finished by squeezing—it’s finished by rolling. The gator roll tightens the choke automatically. Lock the grip, then roll into the pressure.
Far Armpit Entry
Your arm goes under their FAR armpit—not the near one. From front headlock, reach under the armpit that’s furthest from your body.
Head Tight
Keep their head trapped against your chest before the roll. If their head pops out during the roll, you lose the choke completely.
Gator Roll
Roll TOWARD the trapped arm side. The roll drives their shoulder into their own neck. That’s where the choke comes from.
3 Entries.
One Roll.
The Anaconda works from multiple positions. The finish is always the same—the gator roll.
Front Headlock
Anaconda
Classic setup. You have front headlock, they’re on turtle. Thread under the far arm, lock the grip, gator roll toward the trapped arm.
Sprawl
Anaconda
They shoot a takedown. You sprawl hard, snap the head down. While they’re stunned, thread the far arm and roll immediately.
Guillotine to
Anaconda
Guillotine fails because they posture. Switch the grip—thread under the far armpit instead of in front of the neck. Roll.
The
Gator Roll
Finish
The roll isn’t just a transition—it IS the finish. As you roll, their trapped arm drives into their own carotid.
-
Lock Before Rolling
Figure-four grip must be locked BEFORE you initiate the roll. Hand grabs bicep, other hand behind your head.
-
Roll Toward Trapped Arm
Always roll toward the side where their arm is trapped. Rolling the other way releases all pressure.
-
Chest Expansion
After the roll, expand your chest and arch slightly. This creates the final compression on both carotids.
3 Mistakes
That Kill Your Anaconda
Wrong Armpit
Going under the NEAR armpit gives you a D’Arce, not an Anaconda. For the Anaconda, you must thread under the FAR armpit—the one away from your body.
Rolling Wrong Direction
Rolling away from the trapped arm releases the pressure completely. You MUST roll toward the trapped arm side for the choke to work.
Squeezing Before Rolling
Trying to finish from the front headlock position rarely works. The roll is essential—it’s what drives their shoulder into their neck.
4 Entry
Windows
The Anaconda appears when you have head control and access to the far armpit. Look for these moments.
Turtle Control
They turtle up to defend. You have front headlock—thread the far arm and roll.
Sprawl Defense
They shoot, you sprawl. While their head is down, lock the Anaconda and roll them over.
Failed Guillotine
Your guillotine isn’t working. Switch—thread under the far armpit instead of across the throat.
Half Guard Pass
You’re passing half guard, they go to turtle. Snap the head down and set up the Anaconda.
Related Techniques
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