Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke

SubFamily

ヘッドループラペルチョーク(Heddo Rūpu Raperu Chōku)

Transliteration

Translation: Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke (katakana loanword)

Overview

Head-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]

Also known as

Loop Choke Family^[1]Head-Loop Strangle^[2]Lapel Noose^[3]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Loop chokes were developed primarily within the BJJ competition context as creative collar attacks from bottom positions. ^[1] They represent the innovative use of the gi that distinguishes BJJ's ground game from judo's traditional approach. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The head loop lapel choke uses the lapel fed around the opponent's head to create a noose-like strangle. ^[1]

Lineage

Lapel noose chokes were developed in modern BJJ as part of the expanding lapel guard/worm guard system. ^[1]

Competition Record

Lapel choke innovations appear at high-level IBJJF competition, particularly from competitors known for lapel guard systems. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Cross-collar or lapel-driven compression of the carotid arteries using gi material as a friction anchor

Joints Involved — Cervical spine (flexion or lateral bend), wrists and forearms (grip and rotation)

Force Vector — Opposing forearm rotation creates a scissors effect across both sides of the neck

Gi Factor — Lapel fabric increases friction and distributes force over a wider surface area, making the choke harder to escape

Position & Entry

From controlling position (gi) — Secure the necessary collar or lapel grips, configure hands for the choke, and apply opposing rotational pressure

From guard (gi) — Break posture and secure deep collar grips, feed the choke and angle to finish

From back control (gi) — Establish collar grip access, feed the second hand and apply the cross-collar squeeze

Videos

Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu

Best Loop Choke Technique (top and bottom)

Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu

http://www.MattArroyo.com Matt Arroyo teaches the loop choke from top and from bottom at Gracie Tampa South MMA. These…

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

Loop chokes create a self-tightening noose around the neck using the opponent's lapel

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

Restricted

— no-gi competition only — technique requires gi

ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF

— technique requires gi — not applicable in MMA

Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF

Legal

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— shime-waza

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal

FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The head-loop lapel noose choke creates a gi-fabric noose around the opponent's neck by looping a lapel over and around the head — the lapel acts as a cable that cinches tight when pulled (Camarillo, Submit Everyone, 2008)

✓The technique uses a free lapel end (either the opponent's or your own) fed over the head and around the neck — the resulting loop is pulled tight like a drawstring noose

✓Setup from guard or mount: untuck or feed a lapel over the opponent's head, then catch the lapel end on the other side — the fabric now encircles the neck

✓The 'noose' descriptor is mechanical: like a slip knot, pulling the lapel end tightens the loop progressively — each centimetre of pull increases circumferential neck pressure

✓The head loop works when the opponent's head is lowered: in guard when they posture down, or from mount when they turn to escape — the lowered head allows the lapel to pass over

✓This choke is extremely effective but requires setup time: feeding the lapel over the head is the technical challenge; once established, the finish is nearly inevitable

✓The head-loop noose is a 'Camarillo-style' choke: Dave Camarillo systematised this family of lapel-over-the-head strangles

Common Mistakes

!Attempting to feed the lapel over the head of an upright opponent — the head must be low for the lapel to pass over; use snap-downs or guard pulls to lower their posture

!Not securing the lapel on the far side — the lapel must be caught after passing over the head; if it falls loose, the noose doesn't form

!Using a stiff, short lapel — the lapel must have enough length and flexibility to pass over the head and be gripped on the other side

!Pulling the noose before it's fully seated around the neck — ensure the lapel is behind the head and around both sides of the neck before tightening

!Losing position while feeding the lapel — the feed takes time; maintain guard or mount control throughout the setup

!Not using the free hand to control the opponent's posture — the non-feeding hand must keep the head down while the lapel travels over

!Telegraphing the lapel feed — untuck the lapel casually during normal grip fighting; an obvious reach for the lapel tip alerts the opponent

Related Techniques

Escape — defensive technique to relieve choking pressure and recover position

Counter Techniques

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

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; related to ループチョーク

1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology

Japanese BJJ community; related to ループチョーク

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; related to ループチョーク

Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community; related to ループチョーク

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

Loop Choke

Genus

The loop choke is executed by feeding the opponent's collar around their neck from underneath — typically from half guard, butterfly guard, or during a sprawl — creating a looping noose that constricts as the attacker pulls the collar tail while controlling the head. [1,2] The attacker grips deep into the collar, loops the fabric over and around the opponent's head, and then closes the loop by pulling down while driving their forearm into the throat or carotid. [1] The loop choke is effective during transitions when the opponent shoots for a takedown or passes guard. [1,3]

2 species·4 techniquesExplore

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I position my wrist when setting up the head loop lapel noose choke?

According to Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu, you want to curl your wrist so that when you do, it touches the opponent's neck—positioning your knuckle rather than your thumb against the neck is ideal.

What's the key to finishing the head loop lapel noose choke once you have the position?

Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu emphasizes dropping your shoulder under the opponent's shoulder and pushing into it to finish; make sure your shoulder goes over their arm and head to avoid them escaping, and keep the grip tight throughout.

How do I set up the choke without telegraphing my intentions?

Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu advises making it look like you want to wrestle rather than choke—push into them to get them to come back, then smack their head down and lift your body high to get their head under your armpit.

What should I do if my opponent escapes the grip?

According to Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu, if your opponent pops the grip, you can simply regrip and continue working the technique.

How does the Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke work?

Head-loop lapel noose chokes use the opponent's collar looped over and around the head to create a noose-like constriction around the neck. 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.

Where does the Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke come from?

Loop chokes were developed primarily within the BJJ competition context as creative collar attacks from bottom positions. They represent the innovative use of the gi that distinguishes BJJ's ground game from judo's traditional approach.

Is the Head Loop Lapel Noose 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 Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke?

Danger rating 8/10. Loop chokes create a self-tightening noose around the neck using the opponent's lapel

How do I set up the Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke?

The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.

How do I defend against the Head Loop Lapel Noose 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 Head Loop Lapel Noose 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 Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke in competition?

Lapel choke innovations appear at high-level IBJJF competition, particularly from competitors known for lapel guard systems.

What are common mistakes when doing the Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke?

Top errors to watch for: Attempting to feed the lapel over the head of an upright opponent — the head must be low for the lapel to pass over; … / Not securing the lapel on the far side — the lapel must be caught after passing over the head; if it falls loose, the… / Using a stiff, short lapel — the lapel must have enough length and flexibility to pass over the head and be gripped o… / Pulling the noose before it's fully seated around the neck — ensure the lapel is behind the head and around both side….

What are other names for the Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke?

The Head Loop Lapel Noose Choke is also known as Heddo Rūpu Raperu Chōku, Loop Choke Family, Head-Loop Strangle, Lapel Noose.

head loop lapel noose choke heddo r pu raperu ch ku submission choke and strangle lock forarm and collar choke loop choke family head loop strangle lapel noose