The Bow and Arrow Choke from the Back: A Step-by-Step Guide

The bow and arrow choke is a highly effective submission technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly from the back position. It’s a variation of the rear naked choke, but instead of squeezing your opponent’s neck with both arms, you use one arm to apply the choke and the other to control their body. In this article, we’ll be breaking down the key steps to executing a bow and arrow choke from the back.

Setting up the position

Like the rear naked choke, the bow and arrow choke requires you to secure the back position. Start by getting behind your opponent and securing both hooks, wrapping your legs around their waist. From here, use your arms to control your opponent’s movements and maintain your position.

Transitioning to the grips

Next, you need to transition to the grips. This involves getting your arms into position around your opponent’s neck and arm to apply the choke. Your choking arm goes under your opponent’s armpit and around their neck, while your other arm goes over their arm and grabs your choking wrist.

Creating space for the choke

With your grips in place, you need to create space to apply the choke. Use your legs to push your opponent away from you while pulling your choking arm across their neck. This creates tension and pressure on their neck, making it difficult for them to defend the choke.

Finishing the choke

Once you have created enough space, it’s time to finish the choke. Pull your choking arm back, using your other arm to pull your opponent’s body towards you. This tightens the choke, cutting off their blood flow and air supply. To finish the submission, arch your back and squeeze your elbows together, putting maximum pressure on your opponent’s neck.

Adjusting the position

If your opponent is resisting the choke or defending it, you may need to adjust your position slightly. One common adjustment is to slide your body to the side of your choking arm, making it more difficult for your opponent to escape. You can also adjust the position of your legs, squeezing your opponent’s waist and hips with your thighs to limit their mobility.

Avoiding common mistakes

When executing a bow and arrow choke, there are several common mistakes to avoid. One is failing to create enough space before applying the choke, which can make it easier for your opponent to defend. Another mistake is allowing your opponent to turn towards you, which can make it difficult to finish the submission.

Practice and repetition

Like any technique in BJJ, the bow and arrow choke requires practice and repetition to master. Make sure you drill the steps and practice them on both sides, so you can execute the choke from either side of your opponent. And remember, the more you practice, the more confident and comfortable you’ll become with the technique.

 

The bow and arrow choke is a highly effective submission technique that can be a game-changer in your BJJ training. By mastering the position, the grips, and the finish, you can become a threat from the back and force your opponent to defend or submit. With practice and persistence, you can become a skilled practitioner of this iconic submission and take your BJJ game to the next level.