BJJ Basics: Slide Choke (Lapel Choke/Zipper Choke)
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Sliding Lapel Rear ChokeΒ·Kayfabe Jiu-Jitsu
A great finishing option from the back, particularly if you cannot free the bottom arm to assist with a two handed chokeβ¦
Translation: sliding lapel rear strangle
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
Sliding lapel rear chokes involve gripping the opponent's collar from back control and sliding the hand across the neck to tighten the strangle progressively. [1],[2] The sliding collar choke is the primary technique: the attacker establishes a deep collar grip on one side, then slides or walks the grip across to the opposite side of the neck while maintaining back hooks. [1],[3] The sliding motion creates increasing pressure against the carotid arteries as the fabric tightens around the circumference of the neck. [1] Unlike static cross-collar grips, the sliding action allows the attacker to gradually overcome the opponent's defensive hand-fighting by incrementally advancing the choke. [2],[4]
History & Origin
Sliding collar chokes from behind evolved from judo's okuri-eri-jime (ιθ₯η΅γ, sliding collar strangle), a Kodokan shime-waza where the collar is progressively slid across the throat. [2],[3] Okuri-eri-jime was one of the original techniques codified in Kodokan Judo's ground fighting curriculum. [2] In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the sliding motion was refined for back mount and body triangle positions, where the attacker has extended control time to work the choke incrementally. [1],[4]
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- Japanιγθ₯εΎη΅γ(Okuri Eri Ushiro-jime)BJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
Effectiveness
The sliding lapel rear choke slides the grip along the collar from behind to tighten the strangle progressively. [1]
Lineage
Sliding lapel chokes from rear control are part of judo's shimewaza curriculum adopted in BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Sliding lapel rear chokes are used as finishing details in gi competition from back control. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries β restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved β Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector β Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism β Vascular strangle β occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt β Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) β Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch β Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Sliding collar grip allows the choking hand to adjust depth dynamically for optimal compression
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
β FIAS Sport Sambo β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFRestricted
β no-gi competition only β technique requires gi
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFβ technique requires gi β not applicable in MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFLegal
β IBJJF β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFβ shime-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFβ FIAS Combat Sambo β Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
βThe sliding lapel rear choke applies the sliding collar principle from back control β one hand slides deep into the collar while the other controls the opposite lapel to create a tightening strangle from behind (Danaher, Back Attacks: Enter the System, 2018)
βFrom back mount: insert the choking hand deep into the far-side collar (four fingers in), then slide the hand toward the back of the skull while the opposite hand pulls the near-side lapel
βThe rear angle amplifies the sliding mechanism: the opponent's own body weight pressing back into the attacker helps seat the collar deeper as the hand slides
βThe sliding action from behind is harder to defend than from the front: the opponent cannot see the hand travelling deeper and has limited ability to strip the grip
βThe opposite-hand lapel pull is essential: it creates the counter-tension that makes the sliding effective β without it, the fabric simply bunches without tightening
βThis choke transitions naturally from seatbelt control: the over-arm hand enters the collar while the under-arm hand controls the opposite lapel
βThe finish combines the deepest possible collar penetration with a pulling motion on both sides β the neck is caught in a fabric vice
Common Mistakes
!Not penetrating deep enough with the initial collar grip β the hand must start at least at the centre line to have room to slide further
!Neglecting the opposite lapel grip β without counter-tension from the second hand, the sliding motion doesn't create compression
!Losing back hooks during the collar insertion β maintain hooks and body triangle throughout; collar work requires a stable base
!Sliding the hand outward instead of along the collar line β the hand must follow the collar's path around the neck, not veer off
!Attempting against an opponent who has turned to face you β this is a rear-specific choke; from the front, use a standard cross-collar variation
!Not using chest-to-back pressure β lean into the opponent as you slide; this prevents them from creating space to defend
!Releasing the choke attempt too early β the sliding collar choke takes time to set; be patient with the progressive tightening
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position β secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck β clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip β lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure β squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo β Official Katame-waza Classification
1BookKodokan Judo β Official Katame-waza Classification
Kodokan β Okuri-eri-jime (ιγθ₯η΅γ) classification
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (ζ¦ιη¨θͺ)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention β native Japanese term (εθͺ/ζΌ’θͺ)
4CitationKodokan Judo β Official Katame-waza Classification
Kodokan β Okuri-eri-jime (ιγθ₯η΅γ) 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 β not its name
Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool β or compare equivalents across styles.
Category
Distance
Body target
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I secure the initial grip for a sliding lapel choke?
Insert your thumb into the collar with your top hand while keeping it under the throat, and use your fingers to help secure the grip on the lapel. According to Kayfabe Jiu-Jitsu, turning your wrist down adds significant control once you have this initial position.
What's the best way to finish the sliding lapel choke once I have the grip?
You can finish by making space and straightening both arms to pull the choke in, or alternatively pull tightly around the shoulder and pull backβboth methods are effective according to Kayfabe Jiu-Jitsu.
Do I need to grip both lapels for this choke?
Yes, Kayfabe Jiu-Jitsu demonstrates that once you have a good grip on the first collar, you reach to find and secure the other collar to complete the technique.
How does the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke work?
Sliding lapel rear chokes involve gripping the opponent's collar from back control and sliding the hand across the neck to tighten the strangle progressively. The sliding collar choke is the primary technique: the attacker establishes a deep collar grip on one side, then slides or walks the grip across to the opposite side of the neck while maintaining back hooks.
Where does the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke come from?
Sliding collar chokes from behind evolved from judo's okuri-eri-jime (ιθ₯η΅γ, sliding collar strangle), a Kodokan shime-waza where the collar is progressively slid across the throat. Okuri-eri-jime was one of the original techniques codified in Kodokan Judo's ground fighting curriculum.
Is the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes are the safest submission catβ¦; IJF: legal β Legal (shime-waza) β strangulation techniques are one of three permitted submβ¦; ADCC: restricted β N/A (no-gi competition only β technique requires gi); Unified MMA: restricted β N/A (technique requires gi β not applicable in MMA); FIAS Sport Sambo: banned β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
How dangerous is the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Sliding collar grip allows the choking hand to adjust depth dynamically for optimal compression
How do I set up the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position β Isolate the Neck β Set the Grip β Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Sliding 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 fricβ¦); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling witβ¦); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent β¦).
How effective is the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke in competition?
Sliding lapel rear chokes are used as finishing details in gi competition from back control.
What are common mistakes when doing the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Not penetrating deep enough with the initial collar grip β the hand must start at least at the centre line to have roβ¦ / Neglecting the opposite lapel grip β without counter-tension from the second hand, the sliding motion doesn't create β¦ / Losing back hooks during the collar insertion β maintain hooks and body triangle throughout; collar work requires a sβ¦ / Sliding the hand outward instead of along the collar line β the hand must follow the collar's path around the neck, nβ¦.
What are other names for the Sliding Lapel Rear Choke?
The Sliding Lapel Rear Choke is also known as Okuri Eri Ushiro-jime, Okuri-eri-jime, Sliding Collar Strangle.