Helio Gracie Self Defense #50 Rear Two Hand Choke Defense
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Two Hand Collar Rear Choke·Grayson Greener BJJ
Two Hand Collar Rear Choke
SubFamily両手襟後絞め(Ryōte Eri Ushiro-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: two-hand collar rear strangle
Overview
Two hand collar rear chokes use both hands gripping the opponent's collar simultaneously from back control to create a symmetric bilateral strangle. [1],[2] Both hands insert into the collar on opposite sides of the neck, then pull outward or rotate inward to compress both carotid arteries at once. [1],[3] This configuration provides maximum grip security because two independent collar holds must both be stripped to relieve the choke, making defense extremely difficult. [1] Two hand collar chokes require the opponent's collar to be loose enough for both hands to penetrate deeply, which makes them more common in training and competition when the gi has loosened during scrambles. [2],[4]
History & Origin
Two hand collar strangles from behind relate to judo's ryote-jime (両手絞め, two-hand strangle) concept, where symmetric bilateral pressure was applied using both hands on the collar. [2],[3] In classical judo, two-handed collar control from behind was considered a strong but positionally demanding technique requiring full back mount. [2] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors adopted two hand collar chokes as a power variation when single-hand or cross-collar attempts were being effectively defended. [1],[4]
Effectiveness
The two-hand collar rear choke uses both hands on the collar from behind to create a powerful rear strangle. [1]
Lineage
Two-hand rear collar chokes derive from judo's shimewaza curriculum. [1]
Competition Record
Two-hand rear collar chokes are used in gi BJJ competition from back control. [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
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Double collar grip from back provides redundant choking pressure on both carotids
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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 two-hand collar rear choke applies bilateral collar grips from back control — both hands inserted deep into the collar from behind create an inescapable fabric strangle (Danaher, Back Attacks: Enter the System, 2018)
✓From back mount: reach over both shoulders and insert each hand deep into the opposite side of the collar — the wrists cross behind the neck in the X-pattern
✓The rear angle makes the two-hand variation devastating: the opponent cannot see or easily reach the grips, and gravity assists the tightening when the attacker leans back
✓Both hands pull in opposing directions while the wrists press into the carotid arteries — the collar fabric transmits force around the entire circumference of the neck
✓This is often the 'final answer' from the back: when single-hand collar chokes and RNC attempts fail, committing both hands to the collar overwhelms the defence
✓The finishing motion from back mount: expand the chest, pull both collar grips toward your shoulders, and lean slightly back — the opponent's neck is compressed between both forearms and the collar
✓Sequential grip establishment is essential: fight for one deep collar grip, then use the positional advantage to insert the second hand before the opponent can strip the first
Common Mistakes
!Committing both hands without securing back position — both hands on the collar means no hand for body control; hooks and body triangle must be solid
!Inserting both hands from the same side — each hand must enter from opposite sides to create the X-pattern; same-side entry doesn't compress both arteries
!Not crossing the wrists — parallel forearm placement pushes the head forward rather than compressing the arteries
!Rushing the second grip — establish the first grip deeply and securely before attempting the second; a rushed second grip is often too shallow
!Leaning too far back and losing hooks — the lean-back finish must be controlled; over-leaning dislodges the hooks and compromises position
!Not managing the opponent's hand fighting — they will attempt to strip grips with both hands; use chin pressure and shoulder control to limit their reach
!Attempting on an opponent who has already turned to one side — the two-hand rear choke requires the opponent to face away; if they've turned, transition to a different attack
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 ryōte (両手 = both hands) 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)
4CitationKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification
Judo ryōte (両手 = both hands) terminology
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
How do I defend against a rear two-hand collar choke?
Immediately tighten the muscles in your neck to create a ridge that protects your trachea and buys you time. Then use both hands to grab the attacker's thumbs at the meaty part and peel them away from your neck, turning their palms up to expose their hands.
What's the correct way to grab the attacker's hands when defending?
Always grab fingers to palm, never fingers to thumb, as fingers-to-thumb creates a weak grip that allows escape. Target the meaty part of the thumb with both hands to double your chances of peeling it away.
Why is neck muscle tension important in a rear choke defense?
Tightening your neck muscles protects your trachea from finger pressure and buys you critical time to execute your hand defense before the choke becomes fully effective.
How does the Two Hand Collar Rear Choke work?
Two hand collar rear chokes use both hands gripping the opponent's collar simultaneously from back control to create a symmetric bilateral strangle. Both hands insert into the collar on opposite sides of the neck, then pull outward or rotate inward to compress both carotid arteries at once.
Where does the Two Hand Collar Rear Choke come from?
Two hand collar strangles from behind relate to judo's ryote-jime (両手絞め, two-hand strangle) concept, where symmetric bilateral pressure was applied using both hands on the collar. In classical judo, two-handed collar control from behind was considered a strong but positionally demanding technique requiring full back mount.
Is the Two Hand Collar 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 Two Hand Collar Rear Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Double collar grip from back provides redundant choking pressure on both carotids
How do I set up the Two Hand Collar Rear Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Two Hand Collar 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 Two Hand Collar 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 Two Hand Collar Rear Choke in competition?
Two-hand rear collar chokes are used in gi BJJ competition from back control.
What are common mistakes when doing the Two Hand Collar Rear Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Committing both hands without securing back position — both hands on the collar means no hand for body control; hooks… / Inserting both hands from the same side — each hand must enter from opposite sides to create the X-pattern; same-side… / Not crossing the wrists — parallel forearm placement pushes the head forward rather than compressing the arteries / Rushing the second grip — establish the first grip deeply and securely before attempting the second; a rushed second ….
What are other names for the Two Hand Collar Rear Choke?
The Two Hand Collar Rear Choke is also known as Ryōte Eri Ushiro-jime, Ryote-jime, Two-Handed Collar Choke, Double Lapel Rear Choke.