Lapel Choke from Butterfly Guard
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Lapel Feed Rear ChokeΒ·Great Grappling
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Translation: lapel feed rear strangle
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
Lapel feed rear chokes involve pulling, threading, or feeding the opponent's lapel (or the attacker's own lapel) around the neck from back control to create a choking loop. [1],[2] Unlike standard cross-collar grips, lapel feed techniques use the extra length of gi fabric as a noose or lever, often wrapping it under the chin and back through the collar to maximize compression distance. [1] The bow-and-arrow choke is the most well-known technique in this subfamily β the attacker feeds the lapel across the neck while gripping the opponent's pants to create opposing forces that tighten the strangle. [1],[2] Gift wrap and lapel tail feed variations offer alternative fabric routing for different back control configurations. [1],[3]
History & Origin
Lapel feeding from the back evolved from classical judo collar strangles where practitioners discovered that using extended fabric created stronger mechanical leverage than simple cross-grips. [2],[3] The bow-and-arrow choke became a signature technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition during the 1990s and 2000s, prized for its near-inescapable finish once fully locked. [1] Modern competitors have developed increasingly creative lapel feed routes, including wrapping the lapel through the legs or around the torso before applying the choke. [1],[4]
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- Japanθ₯ιγεΎη΅γ(Eri Okuri Ushiro-jime)BJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
Effectiveness
The lapel feed rear choke threads the lapel from the back to create a powerful collar strangle. [1]
Lineage
Lapel feed techniques from back control were refined in BJJ competition where gi grips provide additional control. [1]
Competition Record
Lapel feed rear chokes are a common finish from back control in gi BJJ competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries β restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved β Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector β Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism β Vascular strangle β occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt β Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) β Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch β Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Lapel feed chokes from back control use gi material to create a cable-like strangle
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
β FIAS Sport Sambo β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFRestricted
β no-gi competition only β technique requires gi
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFβ technique requires gi β not applicable in MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFLegal
β IBJJF β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFβ shime-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFβ FIAS Combat Sambo β Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
βThe lapel feed rear choke feeds the gi lapel from behind the opponent's back, across the front of the neck, creating a loop that compresses the carotids when tightened (Danaher, Back Attacks, 2019)
βThis choke uses the opponent's own gi against them: the lapel is pulled from their back, routed around the neck, and used as a strangling rope
βThe lapel feed from behind is stealthier than the front feed: the opponent often doesn't realise the lapel is being routed until the grip is secured
βThe finishing mechanic: both hands grip the lapel (or one hand grips the lapel while the other grips the collar), and the attacker pulls in opposite directions β tightening the loop
βThe lapel feed is particularly effective in the body triangle position: the locked legs free both hands for the lapel manipulation
βThis choke family includes sliding collar chokes, loop chokes from the back, and baseball bat chokes β all using the gi lapel as the primary compression tool
βThe lapel provides a significant mechanical advantage: it distributes force across a wide area of the neck, creating bilateral compression more efficiently than the forearm alone
Common Mistakes
!Not feeding enough lapel length β the lapel must be long enough to cross the full width of the neck and be gripped on both sides
!Feeding the lapel too high (across the face) β the lapel must cross the throat for a choke; across the face is a crank
!Losing control of the lapel end during the feed β the lapel end can be slippery; maintain a firm grip throughout the feed
!Not maintaining back control β the lapel feed requires patience; don't sacrifice position
!Pulling both ends in the same direction β the choke works by pulling in opposing directions to tighten the loop
!Not combining with RNC and collar choke threats β the lapel feed works best when the opponent is defending other attacks
!Feeding the lapel over the top of the head β the lapel must go around the neck, not over the top; incorrect routing doesn't create a choke
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position β secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck β clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip β lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure β squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo β Official Katame-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo β Official Katame-waza Classification
Judo okuri (ιγ = feeding/sliding) terminology
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (ζ¦ιη¨θͺ)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention β native Japanese term (εθͺ/ζΌ’θͺ)
4CitationKodokan Judo β Official Katame-waza Classification
Judo okuri (ιγ = feeding/sliding) 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
Find by what a technique does β not its name
Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool β or compare equivalents across styles.
Category
Distance
Body target
Bow And Arrow Choke
GenusThe bow-and-arrow choke is a powerful back control strangle where the attacker grips the opponent's collar with one hand and their pants or far leg with the other, then extends the body to create opposing forces that tighten the collar across the neck. [1,2] The name comes from the finishing position, which resembles drawing a bow β one arm pulls the collar while the other pulls the leg in the opposite direction. [1] It is commonly entered from back mount by feeding the collar grip deep, securing a hand grip on the far leg or pants, and then falling to the side while extending. [1,3]
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Gift Wrap Lapel Choke
GenusThe gift wrap lapel choke uses a controlling position where the attacker wraps the opponent's own arm across their head or body and pins it there, then feeds the lapel around the neck to create a strangle. [1,2] The 'gift wrap' refers to trapping the opponent's arm by threading it across themselves β this eliminates one defensive hand and exposes the neck for the lapel feed. [1] The attacker then routes the collar around the neck and tightens from back control or side control. [1,3]
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Lapel Tail Feed Choke
GenusThe lapel tail feed choke involves pulling out the tail end of the opponent's gi lapel and threading it around their neck from back control to create a noose-like strangle. [1,2] Unlike standard collar grips that use the fabric already near the neck, the lapel tail feed uses the loose end of the belt-area fabric, which provides extra length for creative routing around the throat. [1] The extended fabric can be passed hand-to-hand, threaded under the chin, or looped through the collar to create various choking configurations. [1,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I maintain grip strength without burning out my hands during the lapel feed rear choke?
Instead of relying solely on hand grip, keep your shoulder dropped over the top of your opponent's shoulder. This allows you to apply pressure with your body weight rather than exhausting your grip.
What's the correct wrist position for the lapel feed rear choke?
Orient your wrist so it points out to the side rather than bent inward. If there's a contour in the wrist, you won't achieve the choke properly.
How do I set up the lapel feed rear choke from butterfly guard?
When your opponent brings their hands up to defend, grab the sleeve and pull that arm across their body while dropping your shoulder over the top of their shoulder to control the position.
What should I do if the initial choke doesn't work?
You have multiple finishing options from the same positionβyou can adjust the angle of their trapped arm and finish from a different angle, giving you multiple tapping opportunities.
How does the Lapel Feed Rear Choke work?
Lapel feed rear chokes involve pulling, threading, or feeding the opponent's lapel (or the attacker's own lapel) around the neck from back control to create a choking loop. Unlike standard cross-collar grips, lapel feed techniques use the extra length of gi fabric as a noose or lever, often wrapping it under the chin and back through the collar to maximize compression distance.
Where does the Lapel Feed Rear Choke come from?
Lapel feeding from the back evolved from classical judo collar strangles where practitioners discovered that using extended fabric created stronger mechanical leverage than simple cross-grips. The bow-and-arrow choke became a signature technique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition during the 1990s and 2000s, prized for its near-inescapable finish once fully locked.
Is the Lapel Feed Rear Choke legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes are the safest submission catβ¦; IJF: legal β Legal (shime-waza) β strangulation techniques are one of three permitted submβ¦; ADCC: restricted β N/A (no-gi competition only β technique requires gi); Unified MMA: restricted β N/A (technique requires gi β not applicable in MMA); FIAS Sport Sambo: banned β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
How dangerous is the Lapel Feed Rear Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Lapel feed chokes from back control use gi material to create a cable-like strangle
How do I set up the Lapel Feed Rear Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position β Isolate the Neck β Set the Grip β Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Lapel Feed Rear Choke?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Lapel Feed 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 fricβ¦); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling witβ¦); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent β¦).
How effective is the Lapel Feed Rear Choke in competition?
Lapel feed rear chokes are a common finish from back control in gi BJJ competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Lapel Feed Rear Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Not feeding enough lapel length β the lapel must be long enough to cross the full width of the neck and be gripped onβ¦ / Feeding the lapel too high (across the face) β the lapel must cross the throat for a choke; across the face is a crank / Losing control of the lapel end during the feed β the lapel end can be slippery; maintain a firm grip throughout the β¦ / Not maintaining back control β the lapel feed requires patience; don't sacrifice position.
What are other names for the Lapel Feed Rear Choke?
The Lapel Feed Rear Choke is also known as Eri Okuri Ushiro-jime, Lapel Feed Choke, Rear Lapel Choke, Eri-jime variants.