Advanced Jiu-jitsu - Alligator Choke
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The Crocodile·Gracie Humaita Jiujitsu in Brownsville
Technique from our advanced class. Alligator Choke from Sprawl Subscribe for more https://www.youtube.com/c/GracieHumai…
The Crocodile
SubFamilyザ・クロコダイル(Za Kurokodairu)
Translation: The crocodile
Overview
The Crocodile is a rubber guard transition position where the leg is threaded across the opponent's back while maintaining head control, resembling a crocodile's death roll setup. [1]
CrocCrocodile Control
History & Origin
The Crocodile is part of Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, developed for no-gi and MMA competition. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in professional MMA and no-gi grappling competition by 10th Planet practitioners. [1]
Lineage
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu; Eddie Bravo lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Used in professional MMA and EBI competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — 10th Planet guard mechanics for The Crocodile
Position & Entry
From closed guard — Transition to The Crocodile
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
WARMUP 007_The Alligator (Jacare)
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The Crocodile·SundarJiuJitsu
49 Back Mount Entries in Less Than 6 Min - Jason Scully BJJ Grappling
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The Crocodile·The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully
875+ BJJ Tech Demos - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/875+-bjj-technique-demos/id863770966?ls=1&mt=8 http://www.grapple…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Crocodile (also called the Alligator) encompasses both a foundational locomotion drill and an advanced submission technique. SundarJiuJitsu presents the movement pattern as a warm-up drill where the practitioner moves in all-fours position using opposite-hand, opposite-foot coordination—when the left hand moves forward, the right foot steps; when the right hand moves, the left foot steps. This pattern lowers the body progressively until full extension is achieved. The four-corners variation involves threading one leg through to face different directions before repeating the locomotion sequence. SundarJiuJitsu emphasizes the real-world application in side control, where the Crocodile movement allows the top player to follow an escaping opponent's hip movement and control their knee placement, preventing guard replacement. Gracie Humaita Jiujitsu in Brownsville describes a distinct submission called the Alligator Choke, performed from a sprawl position after an opponent shoots in. The technique involves opening the collar with one hand placed thumb-up beneath the opponent's armpit, then rolling through with the head underneath the body to feed the hand behind the neck, finishing with a push-pull mechanism on the collar. The name derives from the rolling motion through the opponent's body. Both instructors agree on the importance of limb positioning and weight distribution, though they address different contexts—one defensive scrambling, one offensive submission finishing.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- SundarJiuJitsu — WARMUP 007_The Alligator (Jacare): Establishes the Crocodile/Alligator as an opposite-hand, opposite-foot locomotion pattern used as a warm-up drill and defensive tool in side control to follow opponent movement and prevent guard replacement; introduces the four-corners variation.
- Gracie Humaita Jiujitsu in Brownsville — Advanced Jiu-jitsu - Alligator Choke: Details the Alligator Choke submission executed from sprawl position, emphasizing collar opening with thumb-up grip beneath the armpit, head-under rolling mechanics, and push-pull finishing pressure; names the technique for its rolling-through motion.
- The Grapplers Guide by Jason Scully — 49 Back Mount Entries in Less Than 6 Min - Jason Scully BJJ Grappling: Provides overview context of back-take techniques and positions; does not directly address the Crocodile/Alligator specifically but situates grappling concepts within broader back-mount entry strategy.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Guard control position
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
— IJF — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — ground...
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from ...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points por...
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — no penalty for playing guard
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Requires flexibility for rubber guard positions (Bravo, 2006)
✓Drill no-gi specific grips
Common Mistakes
!Insufficient hip flexibility
!Losing head control
!Not maintaining posture break
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Closed guard → Break posture → The Crocodile → Submission or sweep
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering the Rubber Guard (Bravo, 2006)
1Book[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
2Citation[1] Bravo, E. with Krauss, E. and Cordoza, G. (2006). Mastering the Rubber Guard: Jiu-Jitsu for Mixed Martial Arts Competition. Victory Belt Publishing.
[1] Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard (2006) — technique description and application
Community
Athletics
Requires above-average hip flexibility
Good grip endurance
Notes
The Crocodile is a 10th Planet position documented in Mastering the Rubber Guard. Part of the system's approach to controlling and attacking from the bottom in no-gi grappling. (Bravo, Mastering the Rubber Guard, 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep my opponent from escaping side mount when I have The Crocodile position?
Keep your opposite knee and hand engaged close to your opponent's body, and adjust your position as soon as your opponent starts to move away—if you don't change, they will escape. According to SundarJiuJitsu, you can walk forward and block their knee with a sit-through to maintain control.
What's the proper hand and grip placement for finishing the Alligator Choke?
Open the collar with one hand while threading your other hand underneath the opponent's armpit with your thumb pointing toward their ear, getting as deep and tight as possible on the neck. Gracie Humaita Jiujitsu emphasizes that you must get your hand in deep—they should feel the choke before you even roll through.
How do I finish the Alligator Choke if I can't reach behind the head initially?
Roll through by tucking your head under and driving your arm all the way through with the choke, then once your head clears, you can put your hand behind their head and finish by holding your own arm. Gracie Humaita Jiujitsu explains this is the key adjustment when you're too far away to reach the initial grip.
How does the The Crocodile work?
The Crocodile is a rubber guard transition position where the leg is threaded across the opponent's back while maintaining head control, resembling a crocodile's death roll setup.
Where does the The Crocodile come from?
The Crocodile is part of Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, developed for no-gi and MMA competition.
Is the The Crocodile legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal — guard is fundamental to BJJ, sweeps from guard score 2 points; IJF: restricted — Guard pulling penalized as non-combativity — groundwork from guard permitted …; ADCC: legal — Legal, guard pull penalized -1 point in points portion; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — no penalty for playing guard; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the The Crocodile?
Danger rating 3/10. Guard control position
How do I set up the The Crocodile?
The standard setup chain: Closed guard → Break posture → The Crocodile → Submission or sweep.
How do I defend against the The Crocodile?
Standard counters include: Posture up / Stack / Strip the leg control.
How effective is the The Crocodile in competition?
Used in professional MMA and EBI competition
What are common mistakes when doing the The Crocodile?
Top errors to watch for: Insufficient hip flexibility / Losing head control / Not maintaining posture break.
What are other names for the The Crocodile?
The The Crocodile is also known as Za Kurokodairu, Croc, Crocodile Control.