Brandon Bergeron "Technique of the Week" - Hangman's Noose
0
Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke·Brandon Bergeron·Added by Admin
Another Brandon Bergeron Original! This one is a pretty slick and potentially sneaky lapel choke from Side Control. It c…
Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke
Genus自襟送り絞め(Ji-eri Okuri-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: own lapel rear noose choke
Overview
The own-lapel rear noose choke is executed by the attacker pulling their own gi lapel free, feeding it under the opponent's chin from back control, catching the tail with the other hand, and cinching a noose that compresses the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck. [1],[2] The self-lapel provides a long fabric tail that can be routed in ways the opponent does not expect, since the fabric originates from the attacker's body rather than the opponent's collar. [1] The noose configuration tightens as the attacker pulls the tail end while pressing their chest into the opponent's back. [1],[3]
History & Origin
Self-lapel chokes developed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as practitioners explored creative fabric manipulation beyond traditional judo collar grips. [1],[2] While judo focused on gripping the opponent's uniform, [2] BJJ competitors in the 2000s began systematically using their own lapel as an offensive weapon, creating chokes that were difficult to anticipate or defend. [1],[3]
Effectiveness
Using one's own lapel as a noose from rear control creates a powerful choke that is difficult to strip because the attacker controls their own gi. [1]
Lineage
Own-lapel chokes were developed in BJJ competition as creative uses of the gi from back control. [1]
Competition Record
Own-lapel rear chokes appear at advanced IBJJF competition levels. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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
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
BJJ After 40 Ninja Back Take + "Evil Ninja Choke" Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Mike 'Spider Ninja' Bidwell
0
Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke·BJJ After Forty
Mike 'Spider Ninja' Bidwell learned this back take in 1999 from Jean Jacques Machado at an awesome seminar. Jeff Glover…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke is a strangulation technique executed using the attacker's own gi lapel as the primary choking mechanism. Brandon Bergeron (Brandon Bergeron "Technique of the Week") details the technique from side control, emphasizing the importance of untucking both lapels to maximize available length. The setup involves obtaining an underhook from cross-body position, then extracting the lapel tip, feeding it underneath the opponent's head, and passing it to the opposite hand. Bergeron advocates creating space by rotating to the opposite hip, allowing the free arm to feed through the created opening, then repositioning to square up while pulling the lapel downward and raising the elbow to generate neck pressure. Bergeron also emphasizes disguising the attack by applying shoulder pressure to distract the opponent before executing the lapel feed. BJJ After Forty ("BJJ After 40 Ninja Back Take + 'Evil Ninja Choke'") approaches a similar choking mechanic from back control and turtle position, using both lapels in a V-grip configuration around the neck before transitioning to hook the legs and apply constriction. While Bergeron focuses on lapel mechanics and positioning subtleties from side control, BJJ After Forty emphasizes the back-control application and the synchronization of upper-body pressure with lower-body hooks. Both instructors agree on the fundamental principle of using one's own lapel as a choking tool and the importance of proper body positioning to maximize pressure.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Brandon Bergeron — Brandon Bergeron "Technique of the Week" - Hangman's Noose: Detailed mechanics of lapel untucking, underhook setup from cross-body position, hip rotation to create feeding space, hand-passing sequence, and disguise methods using shoulder pressure distraction.
- BJJ After Forty — BJJ After 40 Ninja Back Take + "Evil Ninja Choke" Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Mike 'Spider Ninja' Bidwell: Application from back control and turtle position, V-grip lapel configuration, integration with leg hooks, and timing of constriction with pelvic drive and lower-body mechanics.
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Using one's own lapel creates a noose-like mechanism that tightens under tension
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 own-lapel rear noose choke feeds the attacker's own lapel behind the opponent's neck from back control — the fabric creates a noose-like constriction around the carotid arteries (Camarillo, Submit Everyone, 2008)
✓From back control: feed your own lapel under the opponent's arm and behind their neck, then grip the fed lapel with the choking hand while the other hand controls the head
✓The 'own lapel' detail is critical: using your own gi lapel means the opponent cannot strip the grip by simply releasing their collar — the fabric is attached to you
✓The noose tightens as you pull the lapel end while expanding your chest — the fabric cinches around the neck like a drawstring
✓This choke is particularly deceptive: the opponent may not recognise the lapel feed as a choking setup until the noose is already in place
✓Back control retention is essential: maintain hooks and seatbelt control throughout the lapel-feeding process — losing back position abandons the choke
✓The choke finishes with a pulling motion on the lapel end combined with chest expansion — the lapel acts as a cable that transmits force around the circumference of the neck
Common Mistakes
!Feeding the lapel too loosely — the fabric must pass snugly behind the neck; excess slack prevents the noose from cinching
!Losing back control while feeding — maintain hooks and body triangle throughout; the feed requires patience, not abandoning position
!Not controlling the head — the free hand must block the opponent's head from turning into you during the feed
!Feeding over the shoulder instead of under the arm — the lapel must travel under the arm and behind the neck for proper noose geometry
!Rushing the finish before the lapel is fully seated — ensure the fabric is behind the neck and properly gripped before attempting to tighten
!Gripping too far from the neck — grip the lapel close to where it exits behind the neck for maximum mechanical advantage
!Not expanding the chest during the finish — the chest expansion creates the tightening force; arm-only pulling is insufficient
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 terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese BJJ community terminology
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)
4CitationJapanese BJJ community terminology
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community terminology
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 own lapel rear noose choke from side control?
Start in cross body side control with an underhook, then grab the tip of your own lapel and stretch it out underneath your opponent's head. Brandon Bergeron emphasizes maintaining chest pressure while creating this opening.
Why does having an untucked gi matter for this choke?
Brandon Bergeron notes that the more your gi is untucked, the more lapel length you have available to work with, giving you more material to use for the technique.
What's the finishing position for the own lapel rear noose choke?
Feed your arm through the opening you've created by sitting back on your hip, then drop your head to one side with your hand down and elbow up to finish the choke while maintaining hip pressure, according to Brandon Bergeron.
How can I disguise this technique so my opponent doesn't see it coming?
Brandon Bergeron suggests maintaining heavy pressure on the hip to make your opponent look the other way, then grab the lapel while still pressing with your arm and shoulder so the opponent doesn't realize the lapel is being positioned around the neck.
How does the Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke work?
The own-lapel rear noose choke is executed by the attacker pulling their own gi lapel free, feeding it under the opponent's chin from back control, catching the tail with the other hand, and cinching a noose that compresses the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck. The self-lapel provides a long fabric tail that can be routed in ways the opponent does not expect, since the fabric originates from the attacker's body rather than the opponent's collar.
Where does the Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke come from?
Self-lapel chokes developed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as practitioners explored creative fabric manipulation beyond traditional judo collar grips. While judo focused on gripping the opponent's uniform, BJJ competitors in the 2000s began systematically using their own lapel as an offensive weapon, creating chokes that were difficult to anticipate or defend.
Is the Own Lapel Rear Noose 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 Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Using one's own lapel creates a noose-like mechanism that tightens under tension
How do I set up the Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Own Lapel Rear Noose 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 Own Lapel Rear Noose 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 Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke in competition?
Own-lapel rear chokes appear at advanced IBJJF competition levels.
What are common mistakes when doing the Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Feeding the lapel too loosely — the fabric must pass snugly behind the neck; excess slack prevents the noose from cin… / Losing back control while feeding — maintain hooks and body triangle throughout; the feed requires patience, not aban… / Not controlling the head — the free hand must block the opponent's head from turning into you during the feed / Feeding over the shoulder instead of under the arm — the lapel must travel under the arm and behind the neck for prop….
What are other names for the Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke?
The Own Lapel Rear Noose Choke is also known as Ji-eri Okuri-jime, Self-Lapel Rear Strangle, Own-Collar Noose Choke.