Vagner Rocha is one of the most entertaining and aggressive BJJ competitors out there, so it’s only right that he popularized the Python Trap which is also referred to as the muffler. This is not IBJJF legal, but you can try this at the gym and Rocha has pulled this off at several competition matches where it is legal, so it’s definitely something worth learning especially if you’re into the sub-only game.
This move is a choke from the back which places your hand over the mouth of the opponent instead of a typical carotid artery or trachea choke. Instead, this operates by suffocating the opponent and can be seen as the ultimate disrespect to your opponent in the process. Below we will detail the setup and finishes when using the Python Trap.
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Entry into the Vagner Rocha Python Trap
This is done by starting on the opponent’s back. For obvious reasons, we won’t detail how you should get to the back as this can be figured out by yourself. However, your starting position should be a regular back position which means both hooks in and a seatbelt around the opponent’s neck. Next, you should fall to the side of your free arm. Typically you are taught to fall to the side of the choking arm, but this is not the case with the Python Trap. From here, you want to pretend to choke or crank with your choking arm to force a reaction.
Obviously, if this works then great…but it probably won’t. Instead, your opponent will typically respond by peeling the top arm away from their neck and towards the side. This side is close towards your top leg, which you can use to kick against their hand and trap the arm behind their back. In some BJJ circles, this is referred to as the straightjacket position as it restrains the opponent and immobilizes their arm. Once this is done, you can put your hooks together and make sure your leg is tight on the body to avoid their arm slipping back into play.
After this, you want to then get a two vs one grip on the free arm of the opponent. This is done by grabbing the arm with your typical choking arm, as well as getting a grip under their arm which is sometimes referred to as the 5.0 position, similar to the grip used by the police. After doing this, you can then triangle your legs to completely trap the isolated arm.
Finishing the Python Trap
At this point you should have fully immobilized both arms of the opponent. The one arm should be trapped behind your leg, whilst the other arm should be controlled by your underhooked arm at the wrist. This means the opponent has no arms to defend with which means they are ready to attack. One benefit over this method over the rear naked choke is that the RNC may be tough to finish from this position.
Firstly, you need a one-armed RNC which is possible, but also the angle of the opponent’s head may make it difficult to finish. With this said, you can now opt for the Python Trap and this is why it’s also named the muffler, because it muffles the mouth of the opponent.
Here, you should place your hand over the mouth of the opponent and if available, also over their nose. Whilst you can still finish this without covering the nose, it makes it easier to finish by taking away air to the nose. The hand should be cupped over the mouth of the opponent at all times. Sometimes, people will defend by wildly moving their head to try and make the hand slip off their mouth.
However, if you keep it attached at all times then eventually the opponent will be forced to tap. Remember, the finish may be the easy part of the submission, but it is the initial grip fighting that is the important part of setting up for the submission.
Escaping the Python Trap
The easiest way to defend the Python Trap is to initially fall to the conventional choking arm. Because of the positioning of the original seatbelt, this means the Python Trap is not available. Of course, this comes with its own set of problems such as being vulnerable to RNC chokes and cranks.
However, if you do manage to fall to the side of the Python Trap, the idea is to win the first grip fight. Under no circumstances do you want your arm trapped behind the leg of the opponent. Although easier said than done, the result is that you are in deep trouble if your arm gets trapped. With this in mind, it should be your priority to avoid getting trapped in the position as getting your arm free is not an easy task.
Final thoughts
Like every move in BJJ, the Python Trap is situational. For instance, if you can get a RNC then go for it. However, the Python Trap is ideal when the opponent falls to your non-choking side. Although this is traditionally thought as beneficial for the opponent to escape, it is not always the case if you manage to trap their arms through the position. With this done you can start to set up the submission.
It should also be noted that some people will not like this submission. Because it is IBJJF illegal, some will see it as a rude move or something that is a bit taboo. Of course, this isn’t really the case but make sure your training partners are ok with it before pulling it off in the gym, otherwise their ego’s may be hurt as a result.
Having said this, the Python Trap is more than just a gimmicky move – it has been proven by Vagner Rocha to work on some of the worlds elite. With this in mind, you may want to try this out next time you’re training to see if you can benefit from an unconventional submission.
