Sweet Lapel Sweep to Back Choke / Arm-bar www.BJJAfter40.com
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Lapel Tail Feed Choke·BJJ After Forty·Added by Admin
Lapel sweep chain series to back take / choke / arm-bar. Enjoy! http://www.BJJAfter40.com
Lapel Tail Feed Choke
Genusラペルテイルフィードチョーク(Raperu Teiru Fīdo Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Lapel Tail Feed Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
Lapel tail feeds emerged in BJJ as gi players explored unconventional uses of the uniform fabric. [1],[2] The concept of using the lower lapel tail gained systematic development in the 2010s alongside the lapel guard revolution led by Keenan Cornelius and others. [1] While rear lapel tail chokes predate the lapel guard era, the broader exploration of lapel manipulation brought renewed attention to these techniques in competition. [1],[3]
Effectiveness
The lapel tail feed choke uses the loose end of the opponent's belt or lapel tail to thread a strangle. [1]
Lineage
Lapel tail chokes are a modern BJJ development, part of the creative use of the gi for submissions. [1]
Competition Record
Lapel tail chokes appear at advanced IBJJF competition levels. [1]
Images
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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
Variants
Standard grip variation — primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure
Gi variation — uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional friction and control
No-gi variation — adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling without the gi
Transition finish — applied during a positional change to catch the opponent off-guard
Videos
Gi choke from side control
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Lapel Tail Feed Choke·Maryland BJJ
By holding your oppoent in traditional side control you can quickly feed your lapel to your near hand and place it over …
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The lapel tail feed choke is a gi-based rear control submission executed from positions of dominance, typically following a sweep or transition to back control or side control. BJJ After Forty demonstrates the technique as a natural conclusion to a lapel sweep chain from closed guard, emphasizing the mechanics of breaking the opponent down, passing the lapel across the body, shooting the hand under the neck, catching the tail, and pulling upward while squeezing—often while controlling the opponent's leg or transitioning to back control with hooks. Maryland BJJ presents a detailed variant from side control, stressing the foundational control principle of keeping the opponent's sternum perpendicular to one's own ("T" position) and using the lapel as a feeding mechanism: the instructor pulls his own lapel out in an arrow-like grip, brings it across the opponent's chest, then wraps it around the shoulder while simultaneously positioning the opposite hand on the far side of the body to generate leverage. Maryland BJJ emphasizes the finishing mechanics of straightening the controlling arm and dropping weight onto the opponent's head rather than simply pulling upward. Both instructors agree on the core mechanics of lapel extraction and wrapping, but differ in entry position: BJJ After Forty approaches from back control after a sweep chain, while Maryland BJJ operates from a perpendicular side-control position with greater emphasis on positional control details before the choke itself.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- BJJ After Forty — Sweet Lapel Sweep to Back Choke / Arm-bar: Demonstrated the lapel tail feed choke as the submission endpoint of a closed-guard lapel sweep chain, showing the mechanics of passing the lapel across the body, shooting under the neck, catching the tail, and pulling while controlling the leg. Also showed defensive adjustments when the opponent bases up (reinserting hooks) and optional transitions to arm-bar attacks.
- Maryland BJJ — Gi choke from side control: Provided detailed positional control framework (perpendicular T-position, knee in hip, head control via underhook) prior to lapel extraction. Demonstrated the lapel tail feed mechanism from side control—pulling the lapel out as an arrow, wrapping it over the shoulder, and crucially, finishing by straightening the arm and dropping body weight onto the opponent's head rather than pulling upward for leverage.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Lapel feed chokes use the opponent's gi tail as an extension of the choking arm
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFRestricted
— no-gi competition only — technique requires gi
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— technique requires gi — not applicable in MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The lapel tail feed choke uses a freed section of the opponent's gi lapel — pulling the tail of the lapel across the neck from back control and gripping it to create a strangling loop (Danaher, Back Attacks, 2019)
✓The setup: from back control, the attacker untucks or feeds the tail of the opponent's gi lapel across the front of the neck to the opposite hand
✓The tail creates a ligature: the lapel crosses the neck like a collar, and gripping both ends allows the attacker to tighten the loop from behind
✓The lapel tail feed is devastating because the gi material distributes compression evenly across the carotids — creating a very tight blood choke
✓Entry: from the seatbelt, one hand pulls the opponent's lapel tail from their belt area, feeds it across the throat, and the other hand catches it on the far side
✓The lapel feed bypasses chin defence entirely: the lapel slides under the chin more easily than the forearm because it's thin and flexible
✓This choke is exclusive to gi grappling: the gi material is essential; it has no no-gi equivalent
Common Mistakes
!Not untucking enough lapel — the tail must be long enough to cross the neck and be gripped on the far side; too short fails
!Feeding the lapel above the chin — the lapel must cross below the chin, across the throat; above the chin is a crank, not a choke
!Losing back control while feeding the lapel — maintain hooks and chest contact; the lapel feed should not compromise position
!Not pulling the lapel tight before gripping the far end — slack in the lapel allows the opponent to work their fingers under it
!Attempting to feed the lapel when the opponent is defending the collar — time the lapel feed when the opponent is defending something else (RNC, collar grip)
!Not combining with other back attacks — the lapel feed is one option from the back; threaten the RNC and collar choke to create the opening
!Gripping the lapel end too loosely — the catching hand must grip firmly; a loose grip allows the opponent to pull the lapel free
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture 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
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
Favours
strong upper body for sustained compression
Key muscles
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up the lapel tail feed choke from side control?
Keep your knee inside your opponent's hip to control their lower body, while your left hand stays underneath their head to control their upper body. Grab them by the shoulder and keep this grip nice and tight before transitioning to the choke.
What's the key finishing detail for the lapel tail feed choke?
Maryland BJJ emphasizes that the hand feeding the lapel must go to the other side of your opponent's body rather than staying on the same side—this creates a huge leverage point. Then straighten your left arm, step over their body, and put your weight down to finish the choke.
How do I catch the lapel tail after shooting the underhook?
Once you break your opponent down and shoot an underhook, catch the tail on the other side of their body. Then lift your hips, pull, and pass to transition into the choke position.
How does the Lapel Tail Feed Choke work?
The 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. 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.
Where does the Lapel Tail Feed Choke come from?
Lapel tail feeds emerged in BJJ as gi players explored unconventional uses of the uniform fabric. The concept of using the lower lapel tail gained systematic development in the 2010s alongside the lapel guard revolution led by Keenan Cornelius and others.
Is the Lapel Tail Feed 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 Lapel Tail Feed Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Lapel feed chokes use the opponent's gi tail as an extension of the choking arm
How do I set up the Lapel Tail Feed Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Lapel Tail Feed 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 Lapel Tail Feed 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 Lapel Tail Feed Choke in competition?
Lapel tail chokes appear at advanced IBJJF competition levels.
What are common mistakes when doing the Lapel Tail Feed Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Not untucking enough lapel — the tail must be long enough to cross the neck and be gripped on the far side; too short… / Feeding the lapel above the chin — the lapel must cross below the chin, across the throat; above the chin is a crank,… / Losing back control while feeding the lapel — maintain hooks and chest contact; the lapel feed should not compromise … / Not pulling the lapel tight before gripping the far end — slack in the lapel allows the opponent to work their finger….
What are other names for the Lapel Tail Feed Choke?
The Lapel Tail Feed Choke is also known as Raperu Teiru Fīdo Chōku, Tail Choke, Lapel Feed Strangle, Skirt Choke.