Roger Gracie Cross Choke
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Cross Lapel Cross Choke·Jiu-Jitsu Channel
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Cross Lapel Cross Choke
SubFamily十字絞め(Jūji-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: cross lapel cross choke
Overview
Cross 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]
History & Origin
The cross lapel cross choke is one of the oldest codified strangles in judo. Jūji-jime (十字絞め) was established as a core Kodokan shime-waza by Jigoro Kano and appears in the earliest judo technical manuals. [1],[2] The technique was taught in three grip variations: nami-jūji-jime (normal cross), gyaku-jūji-jime (reverse cross), and kata-jūji-jime (half cross). [1],[3] Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu inherited the cross choke directly from judo and made it one of the first techniques taught to beginners, particularly from closed guard and mount. [4] Helio Gracie notably relied on the cross choke from guard as one of his primary competition techniques. [4]
Effectiveness
The cross lapel choke uses both hands gripping opposite lapels in a crossing pattern to create bilateral carotid artery compression. [1]
Lineage
Cross lapel chokes are fundamental judo shimewaza techniques adopted and refined in BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Cross lapel chokes are among the most commonly attempted gi submissions in IBJJF competition. [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 closed guard (gi) — Secure deep cross-collar grip, feed second hand to the opposite collar, close elbows and squeeze
From closed guard (no-gi) — Break posture, wrap neck with arm, secure the choking configuration using head and arm control
From open guard — Use spider or collar-sleeve grips to break posture, transition to the choking position
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Cross lapel choke uses crossed grips deep in the collar for bilateral carotid pressure
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 cross-lapel cross choke is a variation that specifically uses the lapel portion of the gi (the fold below the collar) for the strangling grip — providing a lower grip point with different leverage angles (Gracie & Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)
✓The lapel grip sits lower on the gi than the collar grip — this changes the angle of the forearm across the neck and can reach deeper on some opponents
✓The cross-lapel variant: the first hand grips deep inside the opponent's lapel (near the chest), then the second hand crosses over to grip the opposite lapel
✓The lower grip point of the lapel means the forearm angle is more diagonal across the neck — this can be more effective against opponents who defend the standard collar grip
✓The cross-lapel technique uses the same finishing mechanics as the collar cross choke: elbows toward the chest, chest expansion, and forearm scissoring
✓This variation is particularly effective from guard: the lapels are more accessible when the opponent is leaning forward into the guard
✓The lapel material is thicker and less likely to slip compared to some collar grips — providing more reliable control during the hand-fighting phase
Common Mistakes
!Gripping too low on the lapel — the grip must still reach the neck; gripping at the belt level doesn't create enough compression
!Not adjusting the forearm angle — the lower lapel grip changes the angle; adjust the elbow position to ensure the forearm crosses the carotid
!Using the same finishing mechanics as the collar choke without adjustment — the lower grip requires slightly different elbow positioning
!Not securing the first grip deeply enough — like all cross chokes, the first grip must pass the centre line
!Pulling outward instead of inward — the same error as the standard cross choke; elbows must pull toward the chest
!Not training both collar and lapel grips — each has situations where it's more effective; be proficient with both
!Gripping the lapel from the outside — the grip must be inside the lapel for the forearm to contact the neck
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 — Juji-jime family
1BookKodokan Judo — Juji-jime family
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Juji-jime family
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 — Juji-jime family
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Juji-jime family
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
Cross Collar Choke
GenusThe cross collar choke from front-facing positions uses both hands gripping opposite sides of the collar in a crossed configuration to compress both carotid arteries simultaneously. [1,2] From guard, mount, or other front-facing positions, the attacker inserts each hand into the opposite collar with the wrist blades rotated toward the carotid arteries, then draws both elbows together while pulling the opponent's head into the chest to close the compression. [1,2] The technique can be executed with palm-down (nami-jūji-jime — normal cross strangle), palm-up (gyaku-jūji-jime — reverse cross strangle), or mixed grip with one palm up and one palm down (kata-jūji-jime — half cross strangle) configurations, per the Kodokan classification. [1,3]
2 species·2 techniquesExplore
Gyaku Juji Jime
GenusGyaku Juji Jime is the reverse cross strangle — both hands grip the lapels with palms facing up (reverse grip), crossing the forearms to create choking pressure. [1] The reverse grip creates a different angle of pressure compared to the normal and half cross strangles. [1] The third of the three Kodokan cross strangles. [1]
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Kata Juji Jime
GenusKata Juji Jime is the half cross strangle — one hand grips the lapel palm-down while the other grips palm-up, creating an asymmetric cross choke that attacks from a slightly different angle than the normal version. [1] The mixed grip (one palm up, one palm down) creates a different pressure vector that can be harder to defend against. [1] One of the three Kodokan cross strangles. [1]
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Nami Juji Jime
GenusNami Juji Jime is the normal cross strangle in judo — both hands grip the opponent's lapels with the palms facing down, and the forearms cross to create a scissors-like choking pressure on both sides of the neck. [1] It is the most basic of the three cross strangles in the Kodokan curriculum (the others being Kata Juji Jime and Gyaku Juji Jime). [1] Typically applied from mount or guard position. [1]
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from bridging out of the cross lapel cross choke?
Roger Gracie emphasizes that turning your opponent's face away from the direction they want to bridge is critical—if their head and eyes are facing the other way, they cannot bridge powerfully because the head commands the whole body's movement.
How does the Cross Lapel Cross Choke work?
Cross 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. 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.
Where does the Cross Lapel Cross Choke come from?
The cross lapel cross choke is one of the oldest codified strangles in judo. Jūji-jime (十字絞め) was established as a core Kodokan shime-waza by Jigoro Kano and appears in the earliest judo technical manuals.
Is the Cross Lapel Cross 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 Cross Lapel Cross Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Cross lapel choke uses crossed grips deep in the collar for bilateral carotid pressure
How do I set up the Cross Lapel Cross Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Cross Lapel Cross 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 Cross Lapel Cross 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 Cross Lapel Cross Choke in competition?
Cross lapel chokes are among the most commonly attempted gi submissions in IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Cross Lapel Cross Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Gripping too low on the lapel — the grip must still reach the neck; gripping at the belt level doesn't create enough … / Not adjusting the forearm angle — the lower lapel grip changes the angle; adjust the elbow position to ensure the for… / Using the same finishing mechanics as the collar choke without adjustment — the lower grip requires slightly differen… / Not securing the first grip deeply enough — like all cross chokes, the first grip must pass the centre line.
What are other names for the Cross Lapel Cross Choke?
The Cross Lapel Cross Choke is also known as Jūji-jime, Juji-jime, Cross Collar Choke, Cross Choke.