Protect Your Neck

The rear naked choke is the highest-percentage finish in submission grappling. Defence starts before the hands connect — chin down, hands fighting the choking arm's wrist at all times from back control.

The guillotine catches anyone who ducks their head during takedowns or guard passes. Keeping the chin up and posture tall during these transitions is the primary prevention.

The triangle catches one arm in and one arm out of the guard. Keeping both hands on the opponent's hips — either both in or both out — is the posture that prevents triangle set-ups.

The D'arce catches the neck during half guard underhook attempts and turtle escapes. Keeping the chin tight and shoulder elevated blocks the arm from threading under the neck.

The arm triangle catches the neck when the opponent frames with one arm across their own face. Keeping the elbow tight rather than reaching across your centre line denies the head-and-arm configuration.

The loop choke catches opponents who drop their head during guard passes. Maintaining posture and controlling the collar grip before it sets prevents the loop from closing.

The cross-collar choke requires deep grips on both sides of the collar. Grip fighting — breaking each grip before the second one sets — is the defensive priority. Once both grips are deep, the choke is nearly unavoidable.

The Ezekiel comes from inside guard or from mount, using the sleeve to compress the throat. Chin-down posture and controlling the opponent's wrist before the sleeve grip threads behind your neck is the counter.

The anaconda catches the neck during sprawl defence and turtle transitions. Keeping the chin tucked and not reaching forward with the head denies the arm-in configuration needed for the choke.

The bow-and-arrow is an extremely powerful gi choke from back control. Fighting the collar grip early — before the hand crosses to the far lapel — is the only reliable defence. Once the grip is set, the choke is functionally inescapable.