Loop From Mount

Species

Translation: Loop Choke (katakana loanword)

Range & classification

Overview

The 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]

Also known as

Mount Loop Choke^[1]Mounted Loop^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

While the loop choke is most commonly associated with the guard position, its application from mount developed as BJJ practitioners explored collar choke setups from top positions during transitions. ^[1],[2] The mount-based loop choke became a viable option when opponents defending cross-collar chokes would turn sideways, inadvertently creating the space needed for the loop thread. ^[1] This adaptation reflects the broader BJJ principle of chaining submissions across different positional scenarios. ^[1],[2]

Country of origin· shown in random order

BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
JapanBJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
USASubmission Grappling, MMA
RussiaSambo

Effectiveness

The loop choke from mount uses dominant position to secure the collar grip and finish the strangle with gravity assistance. ^[1]

Lineage

Loop chokes from mount were developed as additional mounted collar choke variations. ^[1]

Competition Record

Mounted loop chokes are used in gi BJJ competition. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

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

Sickness Ferro

Loop choke options from mount. #brazilianjiujitsu #bjj #jiujitsu

Loop From Mount·Sickness Ferro

Loop choke attempt followed by what I like to do when defended. Thanks to my sponsors Topmount Apparel, Defense soap, G…

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 from mount uses gravity to assist the tightening mechanism

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

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

— 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 RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The loop choke from mount applies when the attacker threads a collar grip into a looping forearm strangle while maintaining top mount — using gravity and body weight as the primary finishing force (Garcia, X-Guard, 2008)

✓The mount-specific setup: from a low mount, establish the cross-collar grip and wait for the opponent to turn to their side — the turn exposes the neck for the forearm loop

✓As the opponent turns: sweep the forearm of the collar-gripping hand around the back of their head, catching their neck between the collar grip and the forearm

✓The mount version finishes differently than the guard version: drop your weight toward the mat on the collar-grip side while maintaining the mount — body weight drives the choke

✓The 'loop from mount' is particularly effective in MMA where opponents attempt to stand from bottom mount — the postural change creates the angle for the loop

✓This technique punishes escape attempts: the elbow-knee escape, the trap-and-roll, and the hip-out all create moments where the neck is exposed for the loop

✓Integration: the loop from mount combines with Ezekiel chokes, cross-collar chokes, and armbars — all share the initial collar grip and mount position

Common Mistakes

!Attempting the loop before the opponent commits to an escape — the technique works on movement; a static, defending opponent is better attacked with standard collar chokes

!Rising too high to establish the loop — maintain low mount throughout; high mount creates space for the opponent to re-flatten or escape

!Not committing body weight to the finishing direction — the choke requires you to drive your weight to the collar-grip side; staying centred reduces pressure

!Losing the collar grip during the transition — maintain grip tension throughout; a momentary release allows the opponent to tuck the chin

!Not blocking the opponent's hip escape with your knee — the inside knee should block their hip from scooting; without this, they escape mount entirely

!Attempting on the wrong side of the turn — loop around the back of the head toward the side they're turning to; looping against the turn's direction is mechanically weak

!Focusing solely on the choke and ignoring mount maintenance — if the mount is lost, the choke fails; position before submission

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

Sub-techniques

Find by what a technique does — not its name

Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool — or compare equivalents across styles.

Mount Loop Choke

Variety

The mount loop choke applies the loop choke collar configuration from the mounted position, where the attacker feeds one hand deep into the collar and wraps it around the back of the opponent's neck to form the signature noose. [1] From mount, gravity assists the choking pressure as the attacker's weight drives downward into the loop, compressing the collar fabric against the neck. [1,2] The mounted position also prevents the common loop choke defence of posturing up, since the opponent is pinned supine under the attacker's weight. [2] This variant typically arises when the attacker transitions from guard to mount while maintaining the collar grip already established for the loop entry. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I attempt the loop choke from mount?

According to Sickness Ferro, timing is key—catch your opponent early when they're off balance and not expecting the attack, rather than waiting until they've established a solid defensive base.

How does the Loop From Mount work?

The 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. 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.

Where does the Loop From Mount come from?

While the loop choke is most commonly associated with the guard position, its application from mount developed as BJJ practitioners explored collar choke setups from top positions during transitions. The mount-based loop choke became a viable option when opponents defending cross-collar chokes would turn sideways, inadvertently creating the space needed for the loop thread.

Is the Loop From Mount 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 Mount?

Danger rating 8/10. Loop from mount uses gravity to assist the tightening mechanism

How do I set up the Loop From Mount?

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

How do I defend against the Loop From Mount?

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 Mount?

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 Mount in competition?

Mounted loop chokes are used in gi BJJ competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Loop From Mount?

Top errors to watch for: Attempting the loop before the opponent commits to an escape — the technique works on movement; a static, defending o… / Rising too high to establish the loop — maintain low mount throughout; high mount creates space for the opponent to r… / Not committing body weight to the finishing direction — the choke requires you to drive your weight to the collar-gri… / Losing the collar grip during the transition — maintain grip tension throughout; a momentary release allows the oppon….

What are other names for the Loop From Mount?

The Loop From Mount is also known as Rūpu Chōku, Mount Loop Choke, Mounted Loop.

loop from mount r pu ch ku submission choke and strangle lock forarm and collar choke head loop lapel noose choke loop choke mount loop choke mounted loop