Bow and Arrow Choke: The Beautiful Gi Choke from Back Control
By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts | Last Updated: February 2, 2026
The Bow and Arrow Choke is arguably the most powerful gi submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
It is a leverage-based strangle that uses your entire body—legs, back, and arms—against your opponent’s neck. Unlike the Rear Naked Choke, which relies on arm strength and positioning, the Bow and Arrow Choke creates an inescapable angle that bends the opponent’s spine while cutting off blood flow. It is a favorite of world champions like Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and the Miyao brothers because it works even against significantly larger opponents.
In this guide, we break down the mechanics, the step-by-step setup from the back, and how to defend this high-percentage attack.
Table of Contents
The Mechanics: Why It Works
The power of this choke comes from opposing forces.
- The Bow: Your opponent’s body is the “bow.” By gripping their pants and extending your legs, you stretch their spine.
- The String: Your arm gripping their collar is the “string.” As their body stretches away, the collar tightens around their neck.
- The Result: This dual action (stretching the body + tightening the collar) creates immense pressure that is almost impossible to muscle out of.
Step-by-Step Setup: From Back Control
The most common entry is from the Seatbelt position in Back Control.
- The Grip: Establish a deep collar grip with your “over” arm (the arm over their shoulder). Your thumb should be inside the collar, reaching as deep as possible.
- The Pant Grip: Use your “under” hand to grab the outside of their pants near the knee. If you can’t reach the pants, grabbing the thigh or hooking the leg works too.
- The Angle: Abandon the back hooks. Slide your hips out to the side of the gripping arm. You want to be at a 90-degree angle to your opponent.
- The Leg Hook: Throw your top leg over their shoulder (across their chest). This prevents them from sitting up.
- The Finish: Lean back, extend your legs to stretch them out, and pull the collar. Think of drawing an actual bow and arrow.
Variation: The Sliding Collar Choke
Often confused with the Bow and Arrow, the Sliding Collar Choke (Okuri Eri Jime) keeps you directly behind the opponent.
- Difference: In the Sliding Collar, you stay on their back and use a second lapel grip to finish. In the Bow and Arrow, you move to the side and use the leg/pant grip for leverage.
- When to use: Use the Sliding Collar if you want to maintain back hooks. Switch to the Bow and Arrow Choke if they start escaping or if you need more finishing power.
Defense and Escape
Defending the Bow and Arrow Choke requires early recognition. Once your spine is bent, it’s often too late.
- Protect the Collar: The moment you feel a deep collar grip, use both hands to pull down on their forearm. This relieves pressure.
- Pull the Elbow: As they transition to the side, grab their choking elbow and pull it over your head. If you can clear your head under their armpit, you are safe.
- Follow the Motion: Do not pull away. If they stretch you, you lose. Instead, turn toward them and try to get your back flat on the mat to relieve the tension.
Conclusion
The Bow and Arrow Choke is a checkmate move. It is one of the few submissions where size and strength are almost irrelevant due to the extreme leverage.
Master the transition from back control to the side angle, and you will have a finish that works at every belt level.