Best choke for self-defense!
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Self Lapel Rear Choke·Mastery Jiu-Jitsu
In a situation when you are underneath an attacker, he's holding you down and there is no space to push him and get back…
Self Lapel Rear Choke
SubFamily自襟後絞め(Ji-eri Ushiro-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: self-lapel rear strangle
Overview
Self lapel rear chokes use the attacker's own gi lapel — pulled out and fed around the opponent's neck — to create a choking loop from back control. [1],[2] Unlike standard lapel feed chokes that use the opponent's collar, self-lapel techniques give the attacker a longer fabric tail that can be threaded in unexpected routes. [1] The own-lapel rear noose choke is the primary technique: the attacker pulls their own lapel free, feeds it under the opponent's chin, catches it with the other hand, and tightens from behind. [1],[3] Self-lapel chokes are difficult to defend because the opponent cannot simply strip the grip from their own collar — the fabric comes from an unfamiliar angle. [1],[4]
History & Origin
Self-lapel choke techniques emerged in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as gi players explored creative uses of their own uniform beyond traditional judo collar grips. [1],[2] While judo's shime-waza curriculum focused primarily on gripping the opponent's collar, BJJ practitioners in the 2000s began systematically using their own lapel as an additional weapon from back control. [1],[3] Keenan Cornelius and other modern lapel guard innovators further expanded the self-lapel concept, though rear applications of self-lapel chokes predate the lapel guard era. [1],[4]
Effectiveness
The self-lapel rear choke feeds one's own lapel tail around the opponent's neck from behind, creating an improvised strangle. [1]
Lineage
Self-lapel rear chokes are a modern BJJ innovation for back control attacks. [1]
Competition Record
Self-lapel rear chokes are used at advanced IBJJF competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cross-collar or lapel-driven compression of the carotid arteries using gi material as a friction anchor
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (flexion or lateral bend), wrists and forearms (grip and rotation)
Force Vector — Opposing forearm rotation creates a scissors effect across both sides of the neck
Gi Factor — Lapel fabric increases friction and distributes force over a wider surface area, making the choke harder to escape
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
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Using one's own lapel from back control creates a self-tightening noose choke
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
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 self-lapel rear choke uses the attacker's own gi lapel fed behind the opponent's neck to create a strangle from back mount — a high-percentage gi-specific back attack (Camarillo, Submit Everyone, 2008)
✓The self-lapel feed creates an 'unstrippable' grip: because the lapel is attached to your own gi, the opponent cannot simply pull it away as they could with a collar grip
✓Setup from back control: feed your lapel tail under the opponent's armpit, pass it behind their neck, and catch it with the opposite hand
✓The strangle combines the lapel tension with shoulder pressure — pulling the lapel while driving the shoulder into the back of the head compounds the choking force
✓This variation is often used when traditional collar chokes are defended: the opponent blocks collar access but cannot prevent you from manipulating your own lapel
✓The choke works through arterial compression: the lapel presses against the carotid arteries while the shoulder blocks venous return from the opposite side
✓Transition threat: if the opponent defends the self-lapel choke by turning, it opens armbar and bow-and-arrow opportunities
Common Mistakes
!Using a lapel that is too short — ensure enough fabric length to pass behind the neck and be gripped on the other side
!Feeding the lapel in front of the neck — the lapel must pass behind the neck, not across the throat (which creates an airway choke rather than a strangle)
!Not maintaining seatbelt control during the feed — one arm must always control the opponent's torso while the other feeds the lapel
!Trying to finish without proper lapel placement — verify the fabric is seated in the crease of the neck before applying force
!Neglecting to control the opponent's hands — their primary defence is to grip and strip the lapel; control their wrists
!Pulling the lapel straight back instead of diagonally — the diagonal pull follows the neck's contour for better arterial compression
!Abandoning the choke too early when the opponent begins to defend — the self-lapel choke has multiple finishing angles; adjust rather than release
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
Kodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
Judo eri-jime variant — self-lapel grip
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 variant — self-lapel grip
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key hand position for finishing the self-lapel rear choke?
The critical detail is the position of your thumb—if it's too narrow, your elbow won't make it into the proper angle; if it's too low, your wrist won't put pressure on the neck. Insert your second hand as deep as possible, and the power comes from opening your chest rather than lifting your elbows.
When is the self-lapel rear choke useful in self-defense?
This choke is effective when you're on the bottom in confined spaces with no room to escape, such as against a wall or in the back of a car, where it can incapacitate an attacker if applied correctly.
How do you set up the choke if your opponent isn't wearing a gi jacket?
If the attacker is only wearing a t-shirt, gather material from the t-shirt itself to use for the choke rather than relying on a lapel.
What's the first step before attempting the self-lapel rear choke?
First, control your opponent's posture by breaking it with your legs to pull them in close and close the distance, preventing them from striking you or maintaining striking distance.
How does the Self Lapel Rear Choke work?
Self lapel rear chokes use the attacker's own gi lapel — pulled out and fed around the opponent's neck — to create a choking loop from back control. Unlike standard lapel feed chokes that use the opponent's collar, self-lapel techniques give the attacker a longer fabric tail that can be threaded in unexpected routes.
Where does the Self Lapel Rear Choke come from?
Self-lapel choke techniques emerged in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as gi players explored creative uses of their own uniform beyond traditional judo collar grips. While judo's shime-waza curriculum focused primarily on gripping the opponent's collar, BJJ practitioners in the 2000s began systematically using their own lapel as an additional weapon from back control.
Is the Self 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 Self Lapel Rear Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Using one's own lapel from back control creates a self-tightening noose choke
How do I set up the Self Lapel Rear Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Self 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 Self 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 Self Lapel Rear Choke in competition?
Self-lapel rear chokes are used at advanced IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Self Lapel Rear Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Using a lapel that is too short — ensure enough fabric length to pass behind the neck and be gripped on the other side / Feeding the lapel in front of the neck — the lapel must pass behind the neck, not across the throat (which creates an… / Not maintaining seatbelt control during the feed — one arm must always control the opponent's torso while the other f… / Trying to finish without proper lapel placement — verify the fabric is seated in the crease of the neck before applyi….
What are other names for the Self Lapel Rear Choke?
The Self Lapel Rear Choke is also known as Ji-eri Ushiro-jime, Own-Lapel Choke, Self-Lapel Strangle.