The Easiest Way to Submit Strong Stalling Opponents
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Loop Choke·JonThomasBJJ
This video I go through a simple system to create offense vs a strong stalling opponent. The key to attacking a stalling…
Loop Choke
Genusループチョーク(Rūpu Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Loop Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
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]
History & Origin
The loop choke gained prominence in BJJ competition through practitioners like Leo Vieira and other butterfly guard specialists who used it as a counter-attack during guard passing exchanges. [1],[2] While the basic collar-loop mechanic has parallels in judo's nami-jūji-jime, the specific loop-around-the-head application was systematized in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu during the late 1990s and 2000s. [1],[3]
Effectiveness
The loop choke uses a collar grip looped around the opponent's neck to create a quick strangle, often catching opponents during guard passing attempts. [1]
Lineage
The loop choke was popularised in BJJ competition as a surprise submission during transitions. [1]
Competition Record
Loop chokes are a common competition submission in gi BJJ, frequently catching passers off-guard. [1]
Images
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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 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
Loop Choke by Thomas Lisboa - BJJ Techniques
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Loop Choke·BJJ Fanatics
LOOP CHOKE BY THOMAS LISBOA - BJJ Techniques // In this BJJ Techniques video, Thomas Lisboa demonstrates hot to do the…
Heisting Loop Choke by Nicholas Meregali
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Loop Choke·BJJ Fanatics
HEISTING LOOP CHOKE Tutorial https://bjjfanatics.com Nicholas Meregali teaches how to do the Heisting Loop Choke in thi…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The loop choke is a collar-based strangulation that leverages positional control and timing to trap an opponent's neck using the attacker's arm and forearm. JonThomasBJJ emphasizes the technique from a collar-sleeve grip while controlling the opponent's posture with foot placement on the hip and bicep, initiating the choke by dipping the wrist forward to create a pocket for the neck, then threading the top arm over and through underneath the forearm before securing the leg over the back to prevent escape. BJJ Fanatics' Thomas Lisboa stresses that the loop choke requires a loose collar grip rather than a deep one, and is most effective from closed guard where leg positioning prevents the opponent from spinning away—a primary defense in open guard. He highlights the importance of opening the guard, posting the opponent's hand down, sitting up, and angling the hips to generate pressure on the neck. Nicholas Meregali (BJJ Fanatics) teaches the loop choke from high-stem position, where the attacker uses a foot placement between the opponent's legs to maintain connection and prevent escape. Meregali emphasizes bringing the elbow up first before the hand when executing the technical stand-up, keeping the grip tight with three fingers, and sliding the knee toward the opponent to force a sprawl that creates submission opportunities or facilitates leg wrapping. All three instructors agree the technique requires precise timing, proper arm positioning, and controlling the opponent's ability to rotate, though they present different contextual setups: JonThomasBJJ from collar-sleeve with foot control, Lisboa from closed guard, and Meregali from standing positions.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- JonThomasBJJ — The Easiest Way to Submit Strong Stalling Opponents: Detailed the loop choke setup from collar-sleeve grip with foot control (hip and bicep placement), the dip-and-thread entry mechanism, leg-over-back positioning, and transitions to omoplata and triangle threats when the opponent defends.
- BJJ Fanatics — Loop Choke by Thomas Lisboa - BJJ Techniques: Emphasized the importance of a loose collar grip, the closed guard as the optimal position to prevent spinning escape, the guard-opening sequence, hand positioning to increase angular pressure on the neck, and body angling as key to applying effective pressure.
- BJJ Fanatics — Heisting Loop Choke by Nicholas Meregali: Taught the loop choke from high-stem position with foot placement between the opponent's legs, the mechanics of bringing the elbow up before the hand, maintaining connection to prevent sprawl and escape, and options including leg wrapping and positional adjustments if the opponent attempts to spin out.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Loop choke tightens as the opponent moves forward, making it a strong counter to passing
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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 loop choke uses a single collar grip and the attacker's own forearm to create a loop around the opponent's neck — the arm encircles the head while the collar grip anchors the strangle (Camarillo, Submit Everyone, 2008)
✓The mechanics: grip the far-side collar with one hand, then loop the forearm of that same arm around the back of the opponent's head — the head is caught between the collar grip and the forearm
✓The loop choke is a counter-technique: it works best when the opponent shoots for a takedown or drives forward into the guard — their forward momentum tightens the loop
✓The collar grip is the anchor: it doesn't move; the forearm sweeps around the head to complete the circle — the opponent's neck is trapped in the resulting noose
✓The choke applies blood-flow restriction: the collar presses one carotid while the forearm radius compresses the other — bilateral occlusion from a single-arm mechanism
✓The loop choke is one of the fastest submissions in BJJ: when timed correctly on a shooting opponent, the tap comes in seconds because the opponent's own momentum creates the pressure
✓Alexandre Vieira is known for his systematic loop choke game — demonstrating that the technique works at the highest levels of competition
Common Mistakes
!Attempting without a deep collar grip — the grip must be past the centre line for the loop to reach around the head
!Waiting for the opponent to stop moving — the loop choke works on forward motion; initiate when the opponent drives in, not after they settle
!Looping the arm over the head instead of around it — the forearm must sweep behind the head, catching it in the crook of the elbow
!Not falling to the side — the loop choke finishes by falling to the collar-grip side; staying upright doesn't generate sufficient tightening
!Using muscular force to squeeze — the choke tightens from body positioning and the opponent's forward pressure, not from arm strength
!Releasing when the opponent postures up — maintain the collar grip and follow their posture; the loop can still finish if the grip is deep enough
!Not drilling the timing — the loop choke is timing-dependent; without repetitive drilling, the window is consistently missed
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
柔術B (jiujitsu-b.com) choke technique summary
Major Japanese BJJ publication — comprehensive technique lists
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3Citation柔術B (jiujitsu-b.com) choke technique summary
Japanese terminology sourced from 柔術B (jiujitsu-b.com) choke technique summary
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 From Guard
SpeciesThe loop choke from guard is applied when the bottom player threads one hand behind the opponent's neck and grips their own collar or the opponent's collar, creating a loop of fabric around the neck that compresses the carotid arteries. [1,2] As the opponent attempts to pass or posture, the guard player tightens the loop by pulling the collar hand toward their own chest while using the legs to control distance and hip angle. [1] The choke tightens progressively as the opponent moves forward, making it an effective counter to guard passing attempts. [1,2]
1 varieties·1 techniquesExplore
Loop From Mount
SpeciesThe loop choke from mount is applied by threading one hand behind the opponent's neck and gripping the collar to form a loop of fabric while in the mounted position. [1] The attacker uses the mount's weight advantage to keep the opponent flat while pulling the collar grip tight, compressing the carotid arteries through the looped fabric. [1,2] This variation can be set up when the opponent turns to their side to escape mount, exposing the space behind the neck needed to thread the loop grip. [1,2]
1 varieties·1 techniquesExplore
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't my loop choke working even though I'm getting the grip?
According to Thomas Lisboa, many people struggle with the loop choke because they try it only once or twice and give up, but the technique requires consistent practice to understand the correct positioning. Additionally, Lisboa emphasizes that you need a loose grip on the collar—if your grip is too deep, you won't be able to apply the choke effectively.
Why is the loop choke more effective from closed guard than open guard?
Thomas Lisboa explains that in open guard, a main defense to the loop choke is for your opponent to spin to the side and escape, but in closed guard your legs prevent them from turning, making the choke far more effective.
How do I finish the loop choke once I have the grip?
Thomas Lisboa teaches that you cannot rely on squeezing alone to finish—instead, you must stay tight with both hands, bring your wrist in close, and angle your body properly to make your opponent tap. The finish requires controlling posture and positioning, not just grip strength.
When is the loop choke easiest to hit against a defending opponent?
According to Jon Thomas, when a strong opponent pulls their elbow tight to defend, they must lower their posture to do so, which makes the loop choke very easy to set up by dipping your wrist forward to create a pocket for their neck.
How does the Loop Choke work?
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. 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.
Where does the Loop Choke come from?
The loop choke gained prominence in BJJ competition through practitioners like Leo Vieira and other butterfly guard specialists who used it as a counter-attack during guard passing exchanges. While the basic collar-loop mechanic has parallels in judo's nami-jūji-jime, the specific loop-around-the-head application was systematized in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu during the late 1990s and 2000s.
Is the Loop 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 Loop Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Loop choke tightens as the opponent moves forward, making it a strong counter to passing
How do I set up the Loop Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Loop 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 Loop 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 Loop Choke in competition?
Loop chokes are a common competition submission in gi BJJ, frequently catching passers off-guard.
What are common mistakes when doing the Loop Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting without a deep collar grip — the grip must be past the centre line for the loop to reach around the head / Waiting for the opponent to stop moving — the loop choke works on forward motion; initiate when the opponent drives i… / Looping the arm over the head instead of around it — the forearm must sweep behind the head, catching it in the crook… / Not falling to the side — the loop choke finishes by falling to the collar-grip side; staying upright doesn't generat….
What are other names for the Loop Choke?
The Loop Choke is also known as Rūpu Chōku, Loop Lapel Choke, Head-Loop Strangle, Lapel Loop.