Lapel Grip in Full Guard for Breaking Posture and Setting Up Submissions
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Loop From Guard·Chewjitsu
Today's BJJ technique video will show you a nasty, but simple, lapel grip you can use to break someone's posture and set…
Loop From Guard
Speciesループチョーク(Rūpu Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Loop Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
The loop choke from guard emerged in competitive BJJ as a counter to aggressive guard passing, with practitioners discovering that collar grips threaded behind the head could be converted into strangles during transitions. [1],[2] The technique gained prominence in the 2000s through competitors who used it as a surprise submission during scrambles. [1] Its self-tightening nature — the opponent's own forward movement increases the choke's pressure — makes it a unique positional trap within the guard choke arsenal. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
The loop choke from guard catches opponents who drive forward during guard passing with a sudden collar strangle. [1]
Lineage
Guard loop chokes were developed in BJJ as counter-submissions against guard passing. [1]
Competition Record
Loop chokes from guard are commonly finished at IBJJF competition. [1]
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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 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
Videos
Loop Choke by Thomas Lisboa - BJJ Techniques
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Loop From Guard·BJJ Fanatics
LOOP CHOKE BY THOMAS LISBOA - BJJ Techniques // In this BJJ Techniques video, Thomas Lisboa demonstrates hot to do the…
The Easiest Way to Submit Strong Stalling Opponents
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Loop From Guard·JonThomasBJJ
This video I go through a simple system to create offense vs a strong stalling opponent. The key to attacking a stalling…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The loop choke from guard is a collar-based stranglehold executed primarily from closed guard, where the attacker wraps their forearm across the opponent's neck using a lapel grip to create a loop that compresses the carotid artery. All three instructors—Chewjitsu, JonThomasBJJ, and BJJ Fanatics—emphasize that the technique requires a loose rather than deep collar grip, distinguishing it from traditional cross-collar chokes. Chewjitsu demonstrates the choke following posture-breaking with the Bravo grip in full guard, establishing control before attacking an X choke to force the opponent's defensive posture upward, then transitioning by pulling the sleeve across and scooping the head to secure the position. JonThomasBJJ presents the loop choke as a response when opponents defend against omoplata and triangle threats by pulling their elbow tight, showing how the attacker dips their wrist to create a pocket for the neck and threads their top arm over and under the forearm. BJJ Fanatics (Thomas Lisboa) emphasizes that closed guard is superior to open guard for the loop choke since leg position prevents the opponent from escaping via lateral rotation—the primary defense—and stresses the importance of proper hip angle and consistent pressure rather than explosive force. All instructors agree that the technique requires practice to find the optimal collar grip point and that finishing relies on removing space through body positioning and wrist flexion rather than raw strength.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Chewjitsu — Lapel Grip in Full Guard for Breaking Posture and Setting Up Submissions: Detailed the loop choke setup from full guard using the Bravo grip for posture control, showing the transition from attacking an X choke defense into the arm-scooping mechanics and final compression with bicep-to-tricep connection.
- JonThomasBJJ — The Easiest Way to Submit Strong Stalling Opponents: Demonstrated the loop choke as a counter to tight elbow defense when threatening omoplata and triangle, emphasizing the wrist dip to create a neck pocket and the critical leg-over-back positioning to maintain control during the opponent's roll-through escape attempt.
- BJJ Fanatics — Loop Choke by Thomas Lisboa - BJJ Techniques: Provided foundational technical detail on grip looseness versus depth, explained why closed guard is essential to prevent lateral escape via rotation, and emphasized the role of hip angle and body positioning in creating consistent pressure to force the tap.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Loop choke from guard catches passers who posture low with one lapel grip
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 RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The loop choke from guard is executed when the bottom player catches the opponent's neck in a collar-grip loop as they attempt to pass or posture from within the guard (Camarillo, Submit Everyone, 2008)
✓From closed guard: maintain a deep cross-collar grip throughout the guard engagement — the grip serves dual purposes for sweeps and the loop choke
✓When the opponent stands or drives forward to pass: loop the gripping arm around the back of their head, open the guard, and fall to the collar-grip side
✓The guard position provides unique advantages for the loop: the opponent must engage with your guard to pass, creating the forward commitment that powers the choke
✓The loop from guard works as a pass-prevention tool: opponents who learn you have the loop become cautious about forward pressure, slowing their passing game
✓Integration with guard sweeps: the loop choke threat forces the opponent to posture defensively — this creates space for hip escapes, sweeps, and other guard attacks
✓The technique works from closed guard, butterfly guard, and half guard — any guard where a collar grip can be maintained and the opponent drives forward
Common Mistakes
!Opening the guard before the loop is secured — keep the guard closed until the forearm is around the head; premature opening allows the opponent to disengage
!Not maintaining the collar grip throughout guard play — the grip must be established early and maintained; scrambling for it when the opponent moves is too late
!Attempting against an opponent who is leaning back — the guard loop requires forward commitment; against a posturing opponent, use the grip for sweeps instead
!Falling backward instead of to the side — the loop tightens laterally, not vertically; falling straight back creates space rather than compression
!Not using the legs to control distance — even after opening the guard, the legs should guide the opponent's body position to optimise the loop angle
!Ignoring the opponent's posture breaks — if they posture up strongly, transition to other attacks rather than forcing a loose loop
!Holding the loop choke position without finishing — if the initial fall doesn't complete the choke, adjust angle and leg position; stalling in a loose loop wastes the opportunity
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a loose collar grip better for the loop choke than a deep grip?
According to Thomas Lisboa at BJJ Fanatics, a deep grip on the collar will prevent you from applying the loop choke effectively—you need a looser grip to make the technique work. The grip should be positioned more to the side of the neck rather than directly over the shoulder.
Why is the loop choke more effective from the closed guard than the open guard?
Thomas Lisboa explains that in the open guard, your opponent can spin to the side to escape the loop choke, but in the closed guard, your legs prevent them from turning, making the choke far more difficult to escape.
How do I set up the loop choke when my opponent is defending tightly?
Jon Thomas notes that when opponents pull their elbow tight to defend, they lower their posture, which makes the loop choke much easier to execute. You dip your wrist forward to create a pocket for the neck to go under.
What should I focus on to finish the loop choke rather than just applying it?
Thomas Lisboa emphasizes that you cannot squeeze to tap immediately—instead you must stay tight, bring your wrist in with your other hand, and angle your body properly in order to make your opponent tap.
How does the Loop From Guard work?
The 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. 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.
Where does the Loop From Guard come from?
The loop choke from guard emerged in competitive BJJ as a counter to aggressive guard passing, with practitioners discovering that collar grips threaded behind the head could be converted into strangles during transitions. The technique gained prominence in the 2000s through competitors who used it as a surprise submission during scrambles.
Is the Loop From Guard 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: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Loop From Guard?
Danger rating 8/10. Loop choke from guard catches passers who posture low with one lapel grip
How do I set up the Loop From Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Loop From Guard?
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 From Guard?
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 From Guard in competition?
Loop chokes from guard are commonly finished at IBJJF competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Loop From Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Opening the guard before the loop is secured — keep the guard closed until the forearm is around the head; premature … / Not maintaining the collar grip throughout guard play — the grip must be established early and maintained; scrambling… / Attempting against an opponent who is leaning back — the guard loop requires forward commitment; against a posturing … / Falling backward instead of to the side — the loop tightens laterally, not vertically; falling straight back creates ….
What are other names for the Loop From Guard?
The Loop From Guard is also known as Rūpu Chōku, Guard Loop Choke, Closed Guard Loop.