Nami, Kata and Gyaku Juji Jime Part I: From Mount
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Gyaku Juji Jime·Higashi Canada·Added by Admin
Tori: Sensei Jose Eudes Monteiro Uke: Kelvin Cheong Technique: Nami, Kata and Gyaku Juji Jime from Mount Follow us:…
Gyaku Juji Jime
Genus逆十字絞(Gyaku Juji Jime)
TraditionalTranslation: reverse cross strangle
Overview
Gyaku 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]
Gyaku-Juji-JimeJPReverse Cross ChokeBoxingGyakujujijime
History & Origin
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus. [1]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Kodokan judo lineage: Jigoro Kano (1860–1938) systematized this technique as part of the Kodokan judo curriculum. Transmitted through the Kodokan instructor system to judo federations worldwide. Adopted into BJJ through Mitsuyo Maeda → Carlos Gracie → the Gracie family lineage. [1]
Competition Record
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition. Frequency varies by weight class and era. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Both hands grip lapels palms-UP (reverse), forearms cross to create reverse-angle choking pressure
Joints Involved — Both wrists (reverse grip), forearms (crossing), shoulders
Force Vector — Reverse-angle compression — different vector than normal or half cross
Target — Carotid arteries — blood choke
Position & Entry
From mount — Both hands grip deep in collar with palms facing up, cross and squeeze
From guard — Pull opponent down, establish reverse grips, cross and choke
Variants
Deep Gyaku — maximum depth for strongest choke
Quick Gyaku — rapid setup for surprise
Gyaku from back — establishing reverse grips from behind
Videos
BJJ instructional Cross grip strangulation Gyaku Juji-jime
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Gyaku Juji Jime·Bulldog Gym Tenerife
This is a BJJ instructional video about Cross grip strangulation (Gyaku Juji-jime) with Ben Poppleton, 3rd degree Blackb…
GYAKU JUJI JIME Cross Lapel Strangle from Bottom Newaza
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Gyaku Juji Jime·welcomematstevescott
Gyaku Juji Jime (Reverse Cross Strangle) is an old technique that continues to work. This video focuses on this great la…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
Gyaku Juji Jime is a cross-lapel strangling technique performed with both palms facing toward the practitioner (reversed orientation), distinguished from Nami Juji Jime where palms face away. Kata and Gyaku instruct that one hand features the thumb inserted and wrist dipped, while the second hand passes underneath with four fingers inserted and thumb out, executed by rotating the hands after insertion. All three instructors emphasize precise hand positioning as critical to effectiveness. Kata Gyaku notes that hand placement can be executed by turning either the first or second hand. WelcomeMattStevescott demonstrates the technique from bottom position (ne-waza), establishing an anchor hand before sliding the attacking hand underneath to avoid blocking the face, then rolling to the choking-side hip while pulling the opponent inward rather than pushing away. Bulldog Gym Tenerife stresses that Gyaku Juji Jime functions as a hand and wrist strangle rather than a hip-driven technique, requiring correct wrist twist positioning to defeat common defenses (opponent's postural escape or arm clamping). All instructors agree that relaxation, proper dipping depth, elbow positioning, and avoiding upward pulling are essential mechanical details. The technique traces to old jujutsu (gaeko) methodology and remains foundational in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu submission work.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Kata and Gyaku Juji Jime Part I: From Mount — Nami: Detailed hand insertion mechanics (thumb in, dip, use of radial and ulnar bones), distinction between Nami, Kata, and Gyaku hand configurations, emphasis on downward pressure via mat rather than upward pulling, and the importance of keeping elbows closed during the strangle.
- welcomematstevescott — GYAKU JUJI JIME Cross Lapel Strangle from Bottom Newaza: Application from bottom guard position, anchor hand mechanics, sliding the attacking hand underneath rather than over to avoid face blocking, wrist straightness, rolling to the choking-side hip, pulling the opponent inward, and body mechanics for effective ground fighting transitions.
- Bulldog Gym Tenerife — BJJ instructional Cross grip strangulation Gyaku Juji-jime: Physiological and mechanical basis as a hand/wrist strangle rather than hip-based, correct wrist twist positioning to defeat postural and clamping defenses, hand insertion sequencing including the punch-up method to loosen chest contact, and explanation of why incorrect hand position fails against defensive pressure.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Blood choke.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
IJF Judo— Kodokan classified technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025PDFUnified MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFTraining Notes
✓The reverse grip (palms up) feels unnatural at first — practice the grip separately
✓The forearms must cross tightly — reverse grip requires more precision
✓Pull elbows DOWN and TOGETHER — same scissors principle as Nami but different grip
✓This choke often works when opponents expect the normal grip and defend incorrectly
Common Mistakes
!Grip not truly reversed — one or both palms not fully facing up
!Not crossing tight enough — the reverse grip has less natural leverage
!Wrist alignment wrong — palms must face ceiling, not inward
!Giving up when the grip feels awkward — it requires practice
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Opponent defends Nami and Kata grips → switch to reverse for Gyaku
2From mount → hands already near collar → establish reverse grips → Gyaku
3Surprise attack → both hands shoot to collar palms-up → immediate Gyaku
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
1BookKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
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)
5CitationKano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
[1] Kano, J. Kodokan Judo. Kodansha International.
Community
Athletics
Requires
wrist flexibility for the reverse grip, strong grip endurance
Key muscles
forearms (reverse grip), biceps, wrist extensors
Notes
Gyaku juji jime (reverse cross strangle) uses both hands gripping the opposite lapels with palms facing upward. One of the three juji-jime (cross strangle) variations in Kodokan judo. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important detail when setting up the gyaku juji jime from the bottom?
Getting a solid anchor hand is critical. According to Steve Scott, you pull with one hand to open up the collar and establish that anchor before sliding your choking hand through.
Why should I keep my palm up when applying this choke?
Steve Scott recommends palm-up positioning because it lets you use your biceps and arms effectively, similar to the mechanics of doing curls.
When I slide my hand in for the choke, should it go over or under my opponent's neck?
Slide under, not over. Steve Scott emphasizes that going over will choke the face and your opponent can block it easily, making the technique ineffective.
How do I finish the choke once I have my hands positioned correctly?
Roll to your choking side while pulling your opponent toward you, working off your hip movement rather than just arm strength. Bulldog Gym Tenerife stresses that hand position must be correct—with wrists lifted and a twist applied—so that the choke works regardless of whether your opponent pushes or pulls.
How does the Gyaku Juji Jime work?
Gyaku 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. The reverse grip creates a different angle of pressure compared to the normal and half cross strangles.
Where does the Gyaku Juji Jime come from?
Classified in the Kodokan Judo syllabus.
Is the Gyaku Juji Jime legal in competition?
IJF Judo: Legal: legal — Kodokan classified technique; IBJJF: Legal {src:IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024|/sources/IBJJF: legal — Rules-v6.0-June-2024.pdf}; Unified MMA: Legal {src:Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025|/sources/Unified: legal — MMA-Rules-August-2025.pdf}; FIAS Sambo: Legal {src:FIAS International Sambo Competition Rules|/sources/FIAS: legal — Sambo-Rules.pdf}
How dangerous is the Gyaku Juji Jime?
Danger rating 7/10. High — blood choke.
How do I set up the Gyaku Juji Jime?
The standard setup chain: Opponent defends Nami and Kata grips → switch to reverse for Gyaku → From mount → hands already near collar → establish reverse grips → Gyaku → Surprise attack → both hands shoot to collar palms-up → immediate Gyaku.
How do I defend against the Gyaku Juji Jime?
Standard counters include: Same defenses as other cross strangles — fight grips, posture, tuck chin / The reverse grip is often weaker — aggressive grip fighting is more effective.
What are the variants of the Gyaku Juji Jime?
Common variants: Deep Gyaku (maximum depth for strongest choke); Quick Gyaku (rapid setup for surprise); Gyaku from back (establishing reverse grips from behind).
How effective is the Gyaku Juji Jime in competition?
Recognized Kodokan judo technique. Used in IJF World Championships and Olympic judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Gyaku Juji Jime?
Top errors to watch for: Grip not truly reversed — one or both palms not fully facing up / Not crossing tight enough — the reverse grip has less natural leverage / Wrist alignment wrong — palms must face ceiling, not inward / Giving up when the grip feels awkward — it requires practice.
What are other names for the Gyaku Juji Jime?
The Gyaku Juji Jime is also known as Gyaku Juji Jime, Gyaku-Juji-Jime, Reverse Cross Choke, Gyakujujijime.