Purpose

The anaconda choke shares its arm-threading structure with the D’Arce but traps the far shoulder rather than the near one. From the top player’s position at the right side, the D’Arce threads under the right (near) shoulder; the anaconda threads under the left (far) shoulder. This creates a different choking angle and a different finishing motion — the anaconda is typically finished by rolling the opponent over the trapped shoulder, while the D’Arce is finished from the same side.

The arm thread for the anaconda requires the practitioner to reach across the full width of the opponent’s upper body to access the far shoulder crease. This is a longer reach with less mechanical support — the thread is less stable during entry than the D’Arce. Proficient-level placement reflects this added complexity.

Setup

Front headlock is established from the top player’s right side — right arm under chin, left arm over skull. Bottom player is turtled. Their far (left) arm may be in any position. This drill focuses on threading under the far shoulder regardless of the far arm’s position.

Execution

From the front headlock, release the hand connection. The right (chin) arm releases first; the left (skull) arm temporarily maintains downward pressure on the opponent’s head to prevent them from posturing.
Drive the right arm diagonally across the bottom player’s upper back — reaching toward their left shoulder. The right hand should pass under the bottom player’s left armpit, threading between their left arm and their torso from the front.
As the right hand comes through the far-shoulder crease, rotate palm upward. The right forearm now sits inside the far shoulder (left shoulder is trapped inside the arm loop) and crosses in front of the throat toward the far side.
Bring the left hand to connect with the right hand on the far side. The standard anaconda grip is a palm-over-palm or wrist-lock connection. The right bicep drives against the right side of the throat; the far shoulder is trapped inside the right arm loop.
Verify: left shoulder is inside the right arm loop. The right bicep contacts the right side of the throat. The connection sits to the right of the throat, not behind the head.
Practice the choking structure without rolling. Rolling entries are not part of this drill — the goal is correct arm threading only.

Safety note: No squeeze or rolling is applied. Position geometry only.

Coaching Notes

The most common threading error is reaching toward the far shoulder from the outside (over the top of the back) rather than from the inside (under the near armpit and across). This outside route places the arm on the wrong side of the near shoulder, trapping nothing. The thread must go through the near-arm channel first, then reach to the far shoulder.

Students who have drilled the D’Arce first sometimes confuse the threading sides — they reach under the near shoulder by reflex. Explicitly name the far shoulder as the target at the start of each rep.

The palm-up rotation is the same as the D’Arce — it seats the forearm’s inner surface against the throat. Without the rotation, the bony forearm edge contacts the throat and the grip cannot close with the same pressure.

At Proficient level this drill should be combined with the sit-up drill (DRILL-FHL-03) and D’Arce drill (DRILL-FHL-06) in a circuit — the practitioner alternates between the three available attacks based on a call from the coach.

Common Errors

Thread over the near shoulder rather than under: The arm has gone over the top of the near shoulder crease rather than threading under. The near shoulder is not trapped. Re-route under the near armpit and across.

Confusing near and far targets: The practitioner threads under the near shoulder (D’Arce geometry) instead. Identify the far shoulder explicitly before beginning the thread.

No palm rotation during threading: The forearm seats with the bony outside edge against the throat. Rotate palm upward before connecting the grip.

Thread stalls at the near shoulder: The practitioner’s arm makes it to the near shoulder but cannot reach the far side. This is a reach problem — lower the body and drive the arm deeper before connecting.