Single Wing Lapel Choke

SubFamily

Translation: single wing lapel strangle

Range & classification

Overview

Single wing lapel chokes use one arm threaded under the opponent's armpit (creating a 'wing' control) while the other hand grips the collar to apply a strangle from back control. ^[1],[2] The one-wing collar choke is the primary technique: the attacker controls one arm by underhooking it and threading the hand to the collar, while the choking hand grips the opposite collar across the neck. ^[1],[3] The wing control serves dual purposes — it traps one of the opponent's defensive arms and provides a stable anchor point that prevents the opponent from turning into the attacker. ^[1] This configuration creates an asymmetric strangle where one side is compressed by the collar grip and the other by the underhook arm's pressure against the neck. ^[2],[4]

Also known as

Kata-ha-jimeJP^[1]Half-Wing Choke^[2]Single-Wing Collar Choke^[3]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

The single wing concept has roots in judo's kata-ha-jime (片羽絞め, single wing strangle), a classical shime-waza that combines arm trapping with collar strangulation. ^[2],[3] Kata-ha-jime was codified early in Kodokan Judo's katame-waza curriculum and remains a competition staple. ^[2] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu adopted and refined the single wing collar choke for modern back control systems, where trapping one arm is a standard intermediate step toward finishing the choke. ^[1],[4]

Country of origin· shown in random order

BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
Japan片羽襟絞め(Kataha Eri-jime)BJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
USASubmission Grappling, MMA
RussiaSambo

Effectiveness

The single wing lapel choke uses one lapel grip combined with an arm across the throat to create a hybrid strangle. ^[1]

Lineage

Single wing choke variations were developed in BJJ to address situations where only one collar grip is achievable. ^[1]

Competition Record

Single wing lapel chokes are used in gi BJJ competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

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

Videos

Draculino GB Texas Jiu-Jitsu

Draculino - Lapel Choke from Half Guard

Single Wing Lapel Choke·Draculino GB Texas Jiu-Jitsu

http://www.draculinobjjtraining.com Student Point of View - In class footage of a Loop Choke from the advanced progr…

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

Single wing uses one lapel grip combined with a forearm blade for the strangle

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

Restricted

— no-gi competition only — technique requires gi

ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF

— technique requires gi — not applicable in MMA

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

Legal

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— shime-waza

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal

FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The single-wing lapel choke isolates one of the opponent's arms while feeding the lapel behind the neck for a strangle — combining arm control with gi-fabric choking mechanics (Danaher, Back Attacks: Enter the System, 2018)

✓The 'single wing' arm trap prevents one arm from defending while the lapel feed creates an unstrippable choking surface around the neck

✓Setup: from back control, overhook one arm and use the free hand to feed your own or the opponent's lapel behind the neck

✓The lapel provides a wider choking surface than a bare forearm: the fabric distributes pressure across the entire width of the carotid arteries

✓The arm trap and lapel feed work synergistically: the trapped shoulder is pushed into the neck by the overhook while the lapel compresses from the opposite side

✓This choke is extremely difficult to defend once both the arm trap and lapel feed are established — the opponent lacks the hands and angles to address both threats

✓The single-wing lapel choke represents the evolution of gi back attacks: combining wrestling arm control with jiu-jitsu collar work

Common Mistakes

!Attempting the lapel feed before securing the arm trap — establish control first, then attack; reversing the order allows defence

!Using a lapel that doesn't reach — test the lapel length before committing; if it's too short, switch to the other lapel or a different choke

!Feeding the lapel in front of the throat — the lapel must pass behind the neck for a blood choke; front-of-throat placement creates an air choke

!Losing the arm trap during the lapel feed — the feed requires one hand, but the arm trap must be maintained with body positioning

!Not tightening the lapel before finishing — pull slack out of the lapel before applying the final choking force

!Over-focusing on the choke while neglecting back control — hooks and body position must remain stable throughout

!Not having a backup plan — if the lapel choke stalls, transition to the trapped arm for an armbar or shoulder lock

Related Techniques

Escape — defensive technique to relieve choking pressure and recover position

Counter Techniques

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

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

Kodokan — Kataha-jime (片羽絞め) classification

2SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

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

Kodokan — Kataha-jime (片羽絞め) classification

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 — not its name

Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool — or compare equivalents across styles.

One Wing Collar Choke

Genus

The one-wing collar choke combines an underhook through the opponent's armpit ('wing' control) with a cross-collar grip on the opposite side to create an asymmetric strangle from back control or mount. [1,2] The underhook arm threads under the armpit and reaches the collar, while the choking hand grips the far collar across the neck. [1,3] The wing control traps one defensive arm and anchors the attacker's position, while the collar grip applies the primary choking pressure. [1] This creates a highly controlled position where the opponent has only one free hand to defend. [2,4]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I position my body to set up the single wing lapel choke from half guard?

Sit your hip on your ankle in the mouth position, and place one hand on the floor for base. Keep your shoulder on your opponent's chest to maintain control and create space for your grip.

Do I need a crossface to make this choke work?

No—Draculino emphasizes that you don't need a crossface; instead, simply offer the lapel to your hand and keep it close. Focus on controlling with your shoulder position rather than relying on a crossface.

What should I do with my elbows once I enter the thumb into the lapel?

Once you enter your thumb, drive your elbows into the opponent's chest and side while bringing your ear to their ear to finalize the choke without putting pressure on their face.

How do I defend if my opponent tries to come on top while I'm setting up this choke?

Lock in the half guard position tightly and maintain your control—this will prevent your opponent from escaping or coming on top despite any strength advantage they may have.

How does the Single Wing Lapel Choke work?

Single wing lapel chokes use one arm threaded under the opponent's armpit (creating a 'wing' control) while the other hand grips the collar to apply a strangle from back control. The one-wing collar choke is the primary technique: the attacker controls one arm by underhooking it and threading the hand to the collar, while the choking hand grips the opposite collar across the neck.

Where does the Single Wing Lapel Choke come from?

The single wing concept has roots in judo's kata-ha-jime (片羽絞め, single wing strangle), a classical shime-waza that combines arm trapping with collar strangulation. Kata-ha-jime was codified early in Kodokan Judo's katame-waza curriculum and remains a competition staple.

Is the Single Wing Lapel 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 Single Wing Lapel Choke?

Danger rating 8/10. Single wing uses one lapel grip combined with a forearm blade for the strangle

How do I set up the Single Wing Lapel Choke?

The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.

How do I defend against the Single Wing Lapel 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 Single Wing Lapel 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 Single Wing Lapel Choke in competition?

Single wing lapel chokes are used in gi BJJ competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Single Wing Lapel Choke?

Top errors to watch for: Attempting the lapel feed before securing the arm trap — establish control first, then attack; reversing the order al… / Using a lapel that doesn't reach — test the lapel length before committing; if it's too short, switch to the other la… / Feeding the lapel in front of the throat — the lapel must pass behind the neck for a blood choke; front-of-throat pla… / Losing the arm trap during the lapel feed — the feed requires one hand, but the arm trap must be maintained with body….

What are other names for the Single Wing Lapel Choke?

The Single Wing Lapel Choke is also known as Kataha Eri-jime, Kata-ha-jime, Half-Wing Choke, Single-Wing Collar Choke.

single wing lapel choke kataha eri jime submission choke and strangle lock kata ha jime half wing choke single wing collar choke