Blue Belt Mastery #13 Single Hand Collar Grab Defense (Bent Arm)
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One Hand Collar Choke·Grayson Greener BJJ·Added by Admin
One Hand Collar Choke
Genus片手絞(Katate-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: One-Hand Strangle
Overview
The one-hand collar choke from back control uses a single deep collar grip with wrist rotation to press the knuckles or forearm blade into the carotid artery while the collar fabric compresses the opposite side. [1],[2] The attacker inserts one hand deep into the collar, rotates the wrist so the bony edge of the forearm contacts the neck, and uses body weight or the free arm to prevent escape. [1],[3] This technique is effective as a surprise attack or when the opponent successfully defends against the second hand establishing a cross-collar grip. [1],[4]
History & Origin
Single-hand collar strangles have roots in judo's katate-jime (片手絞め) tradition, emphasizing efficiency with minimal gripping. [2],[3] In early Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practitioners like Rickson Gracie favored deep single-collar penetration from back mount as a high-percentage finishing method. [1] The technique remains relevant in modern competition when two-hand collar defenses are strong. [1],[4],[5]
Effectiveness
The one-hand collar choke uses a single deep collar grip with the other arm framing to create a strangle. [1]
Lineage
One-hand collar chokes were developed in BJJ as variations of the standard two-hand collar choke. [1]
Competition Record
One-hand collar chokes are used in gi BJJ competition from guard and mount positions. [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
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
The First 10 Bjj Submissions You Should Learn
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One Hand Collar Choke·Jedi Does Jiujitsu
In today’s video I’ll be giving you the 10 first bjj submissions that every white belt should learn. These are the submi…
Everything You Need to Know About the Cross Collar Choke | Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals #bjj
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One Hand Collar Choke·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
Join My Online Academy to Improve Your Jiu Jitsu FAST!!! http://academy.mattarroyo.com/home Welcome to your ultimate g…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The one-hand collar choke represents a fundamental submission technique in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, though the instructors' transcripts address different aspects of collar-based choking rather than a unified technique discussion. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu provides the most detailed technical breakdown of the cross-collar choke, emphasizing that effective execution depends on wrist blade placement rather than gi pressure alone. Arroyo stresses obtaining a deep initial grip with the first hand across the opponent's body, then turning both wrist blades to align with the carotid arteries before applying pressure by driving the elbows downward while pulling the opponent's head into the chest. He identifies common mistakes including shallow grips and lifting elbows upward rather than driving them down. Arroyo demonstrates this technique from guard and mount positions, noting that proper blade orientation and depth separate beginner from advanced execution. Grayson Greener BJJ addresses a related but distinct self-defense scenario—collar grab defense against a bent-arm pull—which requires establishing a stable base and using hip pressure to open the opponent's arm before stepping through to a dominant position. While Greener's focus differs from choking mechanics, his emphasis on hip integration and keeping the head through last aligns with core jiu-jitsu movement principles. Jedi Does Jiujitsu mentions the rear naked choke and arm triangle as fundamental submissions suitable for beginners but provides minimal detail about collar-specific mechanics. The instructors agree on pressure application through body mechanics rather than arm strength alone.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu — Everything You Need to Know About the Cross Collar Choke | Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals #bjj: Detailed technical breakdown of cross-collar choke mechanics, emphasizing deep grip placement, wrist blade alignment with carotid arteries, proper turning mechanics, and finishing sequences from guard and mount positions.
- Grayson Greener BJJ — Blue Belt Mastery #13 Single Hand Collar Grab Defense (Bent Arm): Addresses defensive positioning against collar grabs, emphasizing base establishment, hip integration for generating pressure, and proper sequencing with head placement last during escape and control transitions.
- Jedi Does Jiujitsu — The First 10 Bjj Submissions You Should Learn: Contextualizes rear naked choke and arm triangle as foundational submissions for beginners, noting their versatility and high-percentage nature, though providing limited specific detail on collar-based mechanics.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Single-grip collar choke relies on precise hand placement deep in the collar
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 one-hand collar choke applies strangling pressure using a single deep collar grip — the knuckles drive into the carotid artery while the wrist bone presses the opposite side (Gracie & Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)
✓The grip must be extremely deep: four fingers inside the collar with the hand past the centre line of the neck — depth determines whether this choke works or fails
✓The choking mechanism: the radius bone presses one carotid while the knuckles and forearm compress the other — a single arm creates bilateral arterial occlusion
✓This choke is often set up from mount or back control where the opponent cannot easily strip the deep grip
✓The free hand serves as a brace: it can push the opponent's head into the choking hand, frame against the floor, or control the opponent's defending arm
✓The one-hand collar choke is a fundamental gi technique: Helio Gracie emphasised it as proof that leverage could overcome strength — one arm doing the work of two
✓The finish requires wrist rotation: turning the choking hand so the blade of the wrist presses deeper into the neck while the fingers pull the collar tight
Common Mistakes
!Insufficient grip depth — if the hand doesn't cross the centre line of the neck, the choke becomes a push rather than a strangle
!Relying on squeezing rather than structure — the choke works through bone-on-artery pressure and collar tension, not muscular crushing
!Not using the free hand — the second hand must contribute by controlling the head, blocking escape, or bracing
!Attempting from an unstable position — without positional control (mount, back), the opponent simply turns away
!Gripping with the thumb inside the collar — the standard grip places four fingers inside; thumb-in reduces depth and leverage
!Not rotating the wrist during the finish — the rotation drives the radius bone into the artery; a flat hand doesn't create sufficient pressure
!Telegraphing by reaching for the collar obviously — set up the deep grip during transitions when the opponent is preoccupied
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 Shime-waza #7
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Shime-waza #7
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Official Shime-waza #7
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan Judo — Official Shime-waza #7
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Official Shime-waza #7
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
What's the most common mistake beginners make with the one hand collar choke grip?
According to Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu, the grip isn't deep enough—beginners often place their hand too high on the neck instead of getting it deep with their thumb positioned behind the opponent's ear. Additionally, many mistakenly try to choke with the gi itself rather than using it as a handle to apply pressure to the neck.
How should I finish the one hand collar choke once I have the grip?
Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu emphasizes pulling the opponent's head into your chest by driving your elbows straight down to your hip bones rather than pulling them up, which generates maximum power from your whole body rather than just your arms.
What should I do if my opponent tries to defend against the one hand collar choke by pulling my hand off?
Once you have a deep grip established, the only effective defense for your opponent is to expose one of their arms by coming over or under, which creates opportunities for you to transition to submissions like the S-mount or arm bar.
How does the One Hand Collar Choke work?
The one-hand collar choke from back control uses a single deep collar grip with wrist rotation to press the knuckles or forearm blade into the carotid artery while the collar fabric compresses the opposite side. The attacker inserts one hand deep into the collar, rotates the wrist so the bony edge of the forearm contacts the neck, and uses body weight or the free arm to prevent escape.
Where does the One Hand Collar Choke come from?
Single-hand collar strangles have roots in judo's katate-jime (片手絞め) tradition, emphasizing efficiency with minimal gripping. In early Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practitioners like Rickson Gracie favored deep single-collar penetration from back mount as a high-percentage finishing method.
Is the One Hand Collar 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 One Hand Collar Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Single-grip collar choke relies on precise hand placement deep in the collar
How do I set up the One Hand Collar Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the One Hand Collar 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 One Hand Collar 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 One Hand Collar Choke in competition?
One-hand collar chokes are used in gi BJJ competition from guard and mount positions.
What are common mistakes when doing the One Hand Collar Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Insufficient grip depth — if the hand doesn't cross the centre line of the neck, the choke becomes a push rather than… / Relying on squeezing rather than structure — the choke works through bone-on-artery pressure and collar tension, not … / Not using the free hand — the second hand must contribute by controlling the head, blocking escape, or bracing / Attempting from an unstable position — without positional control (mount, back), the opponent simply turns away.
What are other names for the One Hand Collar Choke?
The One Hand Collar Choke is also known as Katate-jime, Single-Hand Lapel Choke.