Collar Choke Mechanics: White Belt vs Black Belt
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Forarm And Collar Choke·ROYDEAN
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Forarm And Collar Choke
Familyフォアアームアンドカラーチョーク(Foaāmu Ando Karā Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Forearm and Collar Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
Forearm and collar chokes are submission techniques that use the gi lapel, collar, or the bare forearm pressed against the front or side of the neck to restrict blood flow or airflow. [1] This family includes cross-collar chokes (juji-jime variations), loop chokes, Ezekiel chokes (sode-guruma-jime), and thrust chokes that drive the lapel or forearm into the throat. The cross-collar choke from mount and guard is one of the most fundamental gi submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, requiring deep collar grips and proper wrist rotation to create the shearing force across both carotids. The Ezekiel choke uses the sleeve of the gi as a fulcrum, allowing application from mount, side control, and even inside an opponent's closed guard. [2] Forearm and collar chokes are primarily gi-dependent, though no-gi adaptations exist using wrist-on-wrist grips.
History & Origin
The cross-collar choke (juji-jime) is one of the foundational Kodokan Judo shime-waza, with three classical variants: nami-juji-jime (normal cross), kata-juji-jime (half cross), and gyaku-juji-jime (reverse cross). [1] The Ezekiel choke is named after Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassú, who famously used the technique (sode-guruma-jime in judo terminology) to submit multiple opponents while training at the Carlson Gracie academy in the 1990s. [2] Loop chokes were developed primarily within the BJJ competition context, using creative collar grips to attack from bottom positions.
Effectiveness
Forearm and collar chokes use a combination of the attacker's forearm and the opponent's gi collar to create strangling pressure. [1] This category includes some of the most powerful gi chokes, as the collar fabric provides a strong grip point and the forearm blade creates direct pressure on the carotid. [1],[2]
Lineage
The forearm-and-collar choke combines a forearm across the throat with a collar grip to create a hybrid choking mechanism. [1]
Competition Record
Forearm-and-collar chokes are used in gi BJJ competition from various top 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 mount — Thread one arm behind the opponent's head using the sleeve, feed the fist or forearm across the throat and squeeze
From inside closed guard — While in opponent's guard, thread the sleeve grip behind their head, drive the fist across
From side control — Secure head control, thread the sleeve-assisted grip and apply the cross-throat pressure
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Forearm and collar chokes combine bone pressure with gi material for strong vascular compression
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 forearm-and-collar choke combines a direct forearm press with a collar grip to create bilateral compression — one side is choked by the forearm while the other is strangled by the collar (Gracie & Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)
✓The mechanics are hybrid: one hand grips deep into the collar to compress one carotid via the fabric, while the opposite forearm presses directly into the other carotid — combining gi and no-gi choking principles
✓From mount or side control: establish a deep four-finger collar grip on one side, then press the forearm of the free arm into the opposite side of the neck — the neck is caught between fabric and bone
✓The forearm-and-collar combination is effective because it attacks from two different angles: the collar pulls while the forearm pushes — the opponent must defend two distinct threats simultaneously
✓The collar grip acts as an anchor: it prevents the opponent from turning away from the forearm pressure, while the forearm prevents them from turning into the collar
✓This choke finishes by pulling the collar grip toward you while driving the forearm into the neck — the opposing forces create maximum compression
✓The forearm-and-collar choke is a fundamental gi technique that bridges collar chokes and forearm strangles — understanding it improves both skill sets
Common Mistakes
!Applying both pressures from the same angle — the collar grip and forearm must attack opposite sides of the neck; same-side application is a push, not a choke
!Using a shallow collar grip — the four fingers must pass the neck's centre line for the collar to compress the artery
!Pressing the forearm into the trachea — target the lateral neck with the forearm; tracheal pressure causes pain but not strangulation
!Not using body weight behind the forearm — from mount, drive weight through the forearm; from side control, lean chest-to-chest into the pressure
!Rushing the finish before both sides are properly positioned — ensure the collar grip is deep and the forearm is on the artery before applying full force
!Neglecting positional control — the choke requires stable top position; if the opponent escapes mount or side control, both hands are committed and you're vulnerable
!Not adjusting when the opponent tucks the chin — use the forearm to push the chin to expose the neck for the collar grip
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 standard katakana transliteration
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Community
Athletics
Requires
forearm strength, wrist control, top position stability
Favours
thick forearms for pressure across the throat
Key muscles
forearm flexors, wrist extensors, core
Sub-techniques
Cross Lapel Cross Choke
SubFamilyCross lapel cross chokes are front-facing strangles where both hands grip the opponent's collar in a crossed configuration — each hand on the opposite side of the neck — and pull inward to compress both carotid arteries. [1,2] This is the classical jūji-jime (十字絞め, cross strangle) configuration from Kodokan Judo, applied from guard, mount, or other front-facing positions. [1,2] The cross-collar cross choke is mechanically powerful because the crossed forearms create a scissoring action where each wrist blade presses into one carotid artery simultaneously. [1,3] Variations include palm-up/palm-down grip combinations (gyaku-jūji-jime vs. nami-jūji-jime) that alter the angle and depth of the strangle. [1,4]
4 genera·6 techniquesExplore
Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke
SubFamilyHead-loop lapel noose chokes use the opponent's collar looped over and around the head to create a noose-like constriction around the neck. [1] The loop choke — the primary technique — is applied by feeding the collar around the opponent's neck from bottom position (typically half guard or butterfly guard), then closing the loop and tightening. Loop chokes are effective because the collar creates a broad compression surface and the attacker can use both hands. [2,3]
1 genera·5 techniquesExplore
Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle
SubFamilySleeve-assisted forearm strangles use the attacker's own gi sleeve as a fulcrum against the throat while the opposite arm provides compression from behind the head. [1,2] The Ezekiel choke (sode-guruma-jime) is the defining technique: the attacker threads one arm behind the opponent's head, feeds the sleeve of that arm across the throat, and squeezes with the opposite forearm. [3,4] The Ezekiel can be applied from mount, side control, and even inside the opponent's closed guard. [5]
1 genera·5 techniquesExplore
Thrust Lapel Choke
SubFamilyThrust lapel chokes involve driving the fist or forearm into the opponent's throat using the collar as a grip anchor. [1,2] The attacker grips the collar with one or both hands and thrusts forward, pressing the knuckles or wrist into the trachea or carotid arteries. These are primarily air chokes (tracheal compression) rather than blood chokes, creating immediate discomfort and gagging reflex. [3,4,5]
1 genera·3 techniquesExplore
Notes
Forearm and collar chokes use the gi collar as a choking surface — the attacker grips the collar and uses the forearm across the throat. Cross collar chokes are the most fundamental gi chokes, applicable from mount, guard, and side control. Appears in 71 passages across 15 books under 'collar choke.' (15 books; Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University; Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
How deep should my grip be on the collar choke, and does it change as I improve?
For beginners, avoid settling for a shallow grip—that's a classic white belt mistake. Once you reach blue belt level, focus on getting your second hand deep as well, not just the first hand. ROYDEAN emphasizes this progression in 'Collar Choke Mechanics: White Belt vs Black Belt.'
Where exactly should I place my second hand for the collar choke?
You want to get your second hand close to the center line of the neck for better angle and mechanics. Don't grab the shoulder or go over the face—both placements are too shallow and ineffective. ROYDEAN stresses being as technical as possible rather than settling for a poor choke.
Is the collar choke only useful as a submission, or can it be used for other purposes?
The collar choke doesn't always have to be a submission—it can be a pathway to your next opportunity, like setting up a sweep when your opponent defends. At higher levels, it becomes a versatile tool you can use as you see fit depending on the situation.
How does the Forarm And Collar Choke work?
Forearm and collar chokes are submission techniques that use the gi lapel, collar, or the bare forearm pressed against the front or side of the neck to restrict blood flow or airflow. This family includes cross-collar chokes (juji-jime variations), loop chokes, Ezekiel chokes (sode-guruma-jime), and thrust chokes that drive the lapel or forearm into the throat.
Where does the Forarm And Collar Choke come from?
The cross-collar choke (juji-jime) is one of the foundational Kodokan Judo shime-waza, with three classical variants: nami-juji-jime (normal cross), kata-juji-jime (half cross), and gyaku-juji-jime (reverse cross). The Ezekiel choke is named after Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassú, who famously used the technique (sode-guruma-jime in judo terminology) to submit multiple opponents while training at the Carlson Gracie academy in the 1990s.
Is the Forarm And 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 Forarm And Collar Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Forearm and collar chokes combine bone pressure with gi material for strong vascular compression
How do I set up the Forarm And Collar Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Forarm And 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 Forarm And Collar Choke?
Common variants: Gi Ezekiel (uses the sleeve for the choking grip, traditional technique); No-gi Ezekiel (uses the fist or forearm across the throat without sleeve…); Reverse Ezekiel (applied from the bottom position when opponent is in your…).
How effective is the Forarm And Collar Choke in competition?
Forearm-and-collar chokes are used in gi BJJ competition from various top positions.
What are common mistakes when doing the Forarm And Collar Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Applying both pressures from the same angle — the collar grip and forearm must attack opposite sides of the neck; sam… / Using a shallow collar grip — the four fingers must pass the neck's centre line for the collar to compress the artery / Pressing the forearm into the trachea — target the lateral neck with the forearm; tracheal pressure causes pain but n… / Not using body weight behind the forearm — from mount, drive weight through the forearm; from side control, lean ches….
What are other names for the Forarm And Collar Choke?
The Forarm And Collar Choke is also known as Foaāmu Ando Karā Chōku, Eri-jime, Collar Choke, Lapel Choke.