Mount Loop Choke

Variety

ループチョーク(Rūpu Chōku)

Transliteration

Translation: Loop Choke (katakana loanword)

Overview

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]

Also known as

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

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Mount applications of the loop choke emerged as competitors who favoured the guard loop choke discovered they could maintain the grip through sweeps and positional transitions. ^[1] The mount variant became a secondary but effective option in the loop choke practitioner's arsenal during the 2000s–2010s competition era. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The mount loop choke applies the loop choking mechanism from the mount for a powerful collar strangle. ^[1]

Lineage

Mount loop chokes are a gi BJJ development for collar-based attacks from the dominant mount position. ^[1]

Competition Record

Mount loop chokes appear in gi BJJ 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

Mount position adds top pressure to the loop choke 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

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 mount loop choke applies the loop choke principle from the top mount position — the attacker loops the forearm around the mounted opponent's head while maintaining a collar grip (Garcia, X-Guard, 2008)

✓From mount: establish a deep cross-collar grip, then slide the forearm around the back of the opponent's head — the mounted opponent's limited mobility makes the loop easier to secure

✓The mount provides superior control for the loop: the attacker's weight pins the opponent while the loop tightens — there is no space to escape or posture

✓The finishing mechanics differ from the guard version: from mount, drive the elbow of the looping arm toward the mat while pulling the collar grip upward — this scissors action tightens the loop

✓The mount loop choke is effective against opponents who turn to their side from mount: the exposed neck during the turn creates the perfect angle for the forearm loop

✓This choke threatens as a counter to the elbow-knee escape: when the bottom player bridges and turns, the loop catches the exposed side of the neck

✓The mount loop choke can be combined with Ezekiel choke attempts: both use forearm-around-the-head mechanics from mount

Common Mistakes

!Losing mount balance while establishing the loop — maintain base with the non-looping hand and hip pressure throughout

!Attempting on an opponent who is flat on their back and defending their neck — the loop works best when they turn to escape; flat opponents are better attacked with cross-collar chokes

!Not driving the elbow to the mat — the elbow-down motion is what cinches the loop; keeping the elbow elevated reduces compression

!Releasing hip pressure to focus on the choke — weight must remain on the mounted opponent; lifting the hips to focus on the arms allows them to escape

!Looping too slowly — the window when the opponent turns from mount is brief; the forearm must sweep around quickly

!Not adjusting if the opponent re-flattens — if they return to their back, the loop angle changes; transition to a cross-collar choke instead

!Trying to finish with arm strength from a high mount — drop the hips low and use body weight; high mount with extended arms lacks the necessary pressure

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 Mount Loop Choke work?

Where does the Mount Loop Choke come from?

Mount applications of the loop choke emerged as competitors who favoured the guard loop choke discovered they could maintain the grip through sweeps and positional transitions. The mount variant became a secondary but effective option in the loop choke practitioner's arsenal during the 2000s–2010s competition era.

Is the Mount 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 Mount Loop Choke?

Danger rating 8/10. Mount position adds top pressure to the loop choke mechanism

How do I set up the Mount Loop Choke?

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

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

Mount loop chokes appear in gi BJJ competition.

What are common mistakes when doing the Mount Loop Choke?

Top errors to watch for: Losing mount balance while establishing the loop — maintain base with the non-looping hand and hip pressure throughout / Attempting on an opponent who is flat on their back and defending their neck — the loop works best when they turn to … / Not driving the elbow to the mat — the elbow-down motion is what cinches the loop; keeping the elbow elevated reduces… / Releasing hip pressure to focus on the choke — weight must remain on the mounted opponent; lifting the hips to focus ….

What are other names for the Mount Loop Choke?

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

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