Thursday (02/23) No-Gi Class Brabo/Darce Choke

The answer is nothing, I just thought it was funny that the first 25 pictures that show up when you Google "brabo" are this statue in Antwerp. Now moving on to the relevant information, we have been working a lot of attacks and variations from side control. All of the attacks we have worked so far have been attacks on the far side arm. Tonight I thought I'd give you an additional tool to use, the brabo choke attacking with the near side arm. Note sometimes this choke is called a darce choke. I'm not sure if there is a difference between the two or if the difference is so subtle I missed it. If you know please post in the comments section.

This choke is a little harder to understand than most of the chokes we use on a regular basis, but once you get the basics you'll see that this position and control comes up all over the place in jiu-jitsu. First I have Brandon Quick doing a break down of the basics of how to get the submission. 

Be sure that you are shooting the arm through deep around the head to ensure you are getting the correct pressure. Also I like the detail about actually reaching around to the triceps instead of reaching for the biceps to get a tighter squeeze is brilliant. Next up a video of Daniel Strauss using the submission from side control.

Switching the hips is a very common way to free the arm and get it outside the hips. From that position you can get armbars and chokes very easily. I also noticed that he doesn't reach just behind the head he goes all the way between the legs to set up his transition. So here are your keys to sinking the brabo from side control.

1. Free the arm from your hips-you need the arm outside the hips to secure it and move to position. Maintain pressure on the chest during your hip switch and be sure to get the arm far enough out that your opponent can not get it back.
2. Reach deep-the arm needs to go between the legs and not just behind the head to make the technique work.
3. Keep chest pressure on the shoulder-during your transition to the opposite side make sure you keep tight downward pressure on the shoulder and drive the arm all the way across the neck, don't let it get stuck across the face. 
4. Reach through past the biceps-if you imagine you a reaching through to the triceps you will get a tighter closure around the bottom side of the neck allowing you to get a better squeeze.
5. Consistent pressure for the finish-don't jerk everything together all at ounce. Make sure you are applying consistent increasing pressure so your opponent doesn't know when the choke will end.

BONUS: Here is a step over armbar from the same side control position. I have taught this series in class before so some of you that have been around long enough have seen it. I may not show this one in class this time but, if you want to see how dynamic this position can be here is a bonus technique for you.

As always if there are questions or clarifications please leave them in the comments section and don't forget to follow me on Twitter and Like me on Facebook. I'll see you on the mats.