Standard Loop Choke

Variety

ループチョーク(Rūpu Chōku)

Transliteration

Translation: Loop Choke (katakana loanword)

Overview

The standard loop choke from guard is a gi strangulation where the attacker feeds one hand deep into the opponent's collar, loops it around the back of the neck, and uses the closed guard to trap the opponent's posture while the lapel tightens around the throat. ^[1] The 'loop' refers to the circular path the gi collar travels — starting at the far collar, wrapping behind the neck, and returning to create a noose-like compression. ^[1],[2] The attacker typically initiates the choke when the opponent drops their head while attempting to pass, allowing the collar hand to swoop around the neck in a single fluid motion. ^[2] The closed guard ensures the opponent cannot posture away from the tightening loop. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Classic Loop Choke^[1]Standard Lapel Loop^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

The loop choke was popularised by BJJ competitor Leo Vieira in the early 2000s, who demonstrated its effectiveness at the highest levels of international competition. ^[1] The technique quickly spread through the BJJ community and became a staple attack from guard and half guard positions. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The standard loop choke is the fundamental collar-loop strangle, executed with a quick grab-and-pull motion. ^[1]

Lineage

The standard loop choke was codified as a competition technique in modern gi BJJ. ^[1]

Competition Record

The standard loop choke is one of the more commonly finished collar chokes 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 back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze

From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke

From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position

Variants

Standard grip variation — primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure

Gi variation — uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional friction and control

No-gi variation — adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling without the gi

Transition finish — applied during a positional change to catch the opponent off-guard

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

The standard loop choke is the most common variant, typically applied during guard passing

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 standard loop choke is the fundamental version of the loop choke applied from guard when the opponent initiates a guard pass or drives forward — the collar grip and forearm encircle the neck as the attacker falls to the side (Camarillo, Submit Everyone, 2008)

✓Setup from closed or butterfly guard: establish a deep cross-collar grip with four fingers inside the far lapel, then wait for the opponent to drive forward or attempt a pass

✓As the opponent commits forward: sweep the gripping arm's forearm around the back of their head while maintaining the collar grip — their head is now caught in the loop between your forearm and the collar

✓The fall: drop to the collar-grip side while pulling the opponent's head down — gravity and your body weight tighten the loop around the neck

✓The standard version emphasises the guard-to-submission transition: no sweep or positional change is needed — the choke is the direct attack from guard

✓The collar grip depth determines the choke quality: the deeper the grip, the tighter the loop — shallow grips create uncomfortable pressure but not a submission

✓Timing is the primary skill: the loop must close as the opponent drives forward — too early and they haven't committed, too late and they've passed the optimal angle

Common Mistakes

!Initiating the loop while the opponent is sitting back — the standard loop requires forward pressure; against a retreating opponent, the loop opens rather than tightens

!Falling to the wrong side — fall to the collar-grip side; falling opposite opens the loop

!Keeping the legs closed in guard during the finish — open the guard and fall to the side; closed guard restricts the lateral movement needed

!Not pulling the head down with the looping arm — the forearm must actively pull the head into the loop; a passive arm allows the opponent to posture

!Attempting with a thumb-in collar grip — four fingers inside provides the depth and anchor; thumb-in grips are shallower and weaker

!Not following the opponent if they try to stack — if they drive up, maintain the grip and roll underneath; the loop can finish from various angles

!Treating the loop choke as a desperation move — it is a systematic technique that requires deliberate setup and timing, not a hail-Mary grab

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

柔術B (jiujitsu-b.com) choke technique summary

1Website柔術B (Jiujitsu-B)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Standard Loop Choke work?

Where does the Standard Loop Choke come from?

The loop choke was popularised by BJJ competitor Leo Vieira in the early 2000s, who demonstrated its effectiveness at the highest levels of international competition. The technique quickly spread through the BJJ community and became a staple attack from guard and half guard positions.

Is the Standard 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 Standard Loop Choke?

Danger rating 8/10. The standard loop choke is the most common variant, typically applied during guard passing

How do I set up the Standard Loop Choke?

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

How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Loop Choke in competition?

The standard loop choke is one of the more commonly finished collar chokes at IBJJF competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Loop Choke?

Top errors to watch for: Initiating the loop while the opponent is sitting back — the standard loop requires forward pressure; against a retre… / Falling to the wrong side — fall to the collar-grip side; falling opposite opens the loop / Keeping the legs closed in guard during the finish — open the guard and fall to the side; closed guard restricts the … / Not pulling the head down with the looping arm — the forearm must actively pull the head into the loop; a passive arm….

What are other names for the Standard Loop Choke?

The Standard Loop Choke is also known as Rūpu Chōku, Classic Loop Choke, Standard Lapel Loop.

standard loop choke r pu ch ku submission choke and strangle lock forarm and collar choke head loop lapel noose choke loop choke loop from guard classic loop choke standard lapel loop