Cross Lapel Rear Choke

SubFamily

十字襟後絞め(Jūji Eri Ushiro-jime)

Traditional

Translation: cross lapel rear strangle

Overview

Cross lapel rear chokes are back control strangles where the attacker reaches across the opponent's neck to grip the far-side lapel, then feeds the collar across the throat to create a cross-collar compression. ^[1],[2] From back mount or back hooks, the attacker's forearm presses against one carotid while the crossed lapel compresses the other side. ^[1] The cross-collar grip from behind is one of the most fundamental gi choke configurations in judo (jūji-jime variations from ushiro) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. ^[2],[3] The cross-grip provides a mechanical advantage because the fabric distributes pressure broadly across the neck, and the attacker can incrementally tighten by pulling elbows toward their own chest. ^[1],[4]

Also known as

Okuri-eri-jime variantJP^[1]Rear Cross Collar ChokeBoxing^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Cross lapel chokes from behind derive from the jūji-jime (十字絞め, cross strangle) family in Kodokan Judo, where crossing the hands on the collar was codified as a foundational shime-waza technique. ^[2],[3] In traditional judo, these were typically applied from osaekomi (pinning) positions. ^[2] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, particularly from the Gracie lineage, adapted the cross-collar grip for dedicated back control positions where hooks or body triangles maintain the attacking position. ^[1] The technique remains a staple at all levels of gi competition. ^[1],[4]

Effectiveness

The cross lapel rear choke uses the opponent's own gi collar from behind to create a powerful strangle. ^[1]

Lineage

Rear collar chokes come from judo's shimewaza and were refined in BJJ back-control systems. ^[1]

Competition Record

Cross lapel rear chokes are a standard finishing technique from back control in gi BJJ competition. ^[1]

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds

Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region

Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously

Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes

Position & Entry

From back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze

From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke

From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

Cross-lapel grip from back creates strong bilateral compression using gi material

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

Restricted

— no-gi competition only — technique requires gi

ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF

— technique requires gi — not applicable in MMA

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

Legal

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— shime-waza

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal

FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The cross-lapel rear choke applies the cross-collar choking mechanics from back control — reaching around the opponent's neck to grip their collar from behind (Danaher, Back Attacks, 2019)

✓From the back, the first hand reaches over the opponent's shoulder and feeds deep into the far-side collar — the forearm crosses the front of the neck

✓The second hand feeds under the arm and grips the near-side lapel — the two forearms now cross against both carotid arteries from behind

✓The rear position allows deeper collar grips than front-facing positions: the attacker can reach across the neck without the opponent's arms blocking the path

✓The cross-lapel rear choke is an alternative to the RNC: when the chin defence prevents the RNC, the collar grips bypass the chin entirely

✓The gi collar provides friction that keeps the grips locked in place: unlike the bare-skin RNC that can slip, the collar grip maintains position

✓The finish from back control: pull the elbows back toward the attacker's chest while expanding the ribcage — the forearms tighten bilaterally against the carotids

Common Mistakes

!Not establishing back control before attacking the collar — hooks and chest-to-back contact must be secure before the hands feed into the collar

!Gripping the collar too shallow — the hand must reach deep, past the centre of the neck, for the forearm to compress the far-side carotid

!Not hiding the grip entry — the opponent will hand-fight; use distractions (shifting hooks, threatening the RNC) to create openings for the collar grip

!Pulling the collar grips outward — like all cross chokes, the elbows must pull back toward the attacker's chest

!Not combining with the RNC — threaten the RNC to make the opponent defend their chin, then switch to the collar choke; the two attacks complement each other

!Losing back control while feeding the second grip — maintain hook pressure and chest contact throughout

!Using this choke in no-gi — this is a gi-specific technique; don't attempt without collar grips available

Related Techniques

Escape — defensive technique to relieve choking pressure and recover position

Counter Techniques

Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle

Setup Chain

1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied

2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat

3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)

4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish

Sources & References

Primary Source

Kodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

1BookKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Judo eri-jime (collar strangle) terminology

2SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)

3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

4CitationKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Judo eri-jime (collar strangle) terminology

Community

Athletics

Requires

grip or squeeze strength, positional control

Favours

strong upper body for sustained compression

Key muscles

forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers

Sub-techniques

Cross Collar Choke

Genus

The cross collar choke from back control is executed by inserting one hand deep into the far-side collar with the wrist blade rotated toward the carotid artery, and the other hand gripping the near-side collar. The finish comes from rotating both wrist blades inward against the sides of the neck (not the trachea) and drawing both elbows together while pulling the opponent's head into the attacker's chest, compressing both carotid arteries. [1,2] From back mount with hooks or a body triangle, the attacker has the stability to work past the opponent's defensive hand-fighting and sink the grips progressively deeper. [1,3]

1 species·1 techniquesExplore

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Cross Lapel Rear Choke work?

Where does the Cross Lapel Rear Choke come from?

Is the Cross Lapel Rear Choke legal in competition?

IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: restricted — N/A (no-gi competition only — technique requires gi); Unified MMA: restricted — N/A (technique requires gi — not applicable in MMA); FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal

How dangerous is the Cross Lapel Rear Choke?

Danger rating 8/10. Cross-lapel grip from back creates strong bilateral compression using gi material

How do I set up the Cross Lapel Rear Choke?

The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.

How do I defend against the Cross Lapel Rear Choke?

Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.

What are the variants of the Cross Lapel Rear Choke?

Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fric…); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling wit…); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent …).

How effective is the Cross Lapel Rear Choke in competition?

Cross lapel rear chokes are a standard finishing technique from back control in gi BJJ competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Cross Lapel Rear Choke?

Top errors to watch for: Not establishing back control before attacking the collar — hooks and chest-to-back contact must be secure before the… / Gripping the collar too shallow — the hand must reach deep, past the centre of the neck, for the forearm to compress … / Not hiding the grip entry — the opponent will hand-fight; use distractions (shifting hooks, threatening the RNC) to c… / Pulling the collar grips outward — like all cross chokes, the elbows must pull back toward the attacker's chest.

What are other names for the Cross Lapel Rear Choke?

The Cross Lapel Rear Choke is also known as Jūji Eri Ushiro-jime, Okuri-eri-jime variant, Rear Cross Collar Choke.

cross lapel rear choke j ji eri ushiro jime submission choke and strangle lock okuri eri jime variant rear cross collar choke