Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle

SubFamily

袖車絞(Sode-guruma-jime)

Traditional

Translation: Sleeve Wheel Strangle

Overview

Sleeve-assisted forearm strangles use the attacker's own gi sleeve as a fulcrum against the throat while the opposite arm provides compression from behind the head. ^[1],[2] The Ezekiel choke (sode-guruma-jime) is the defining technique: the attacker threads one arm behind the opponent's head, feeds the sleeve of that arm across the throat, and squeezes with the opposite forearm. ^[3],[4] The Ezekiel can be applied from mount, side control, and even inside the opponent's closed guard. ^[5]

Also known as

Sode-guruma-jimeJP^[1]Sleeve Choke^[2]Ezekiel Family^[3]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Sode-guruma-jime (袖車絞め, sleeve wheel strangle) is a recognized Kodokan Judo shime-waza. ^[2],[3] The name 'Ezekiel choke' honors Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassú, who famously used this technique while training at the Carlson Gracie academy in the early 1990s, submitting multiple BJJ practitioners. ^[1],[4],[5]

Effectiveness

The sleeve-assisted forearm strangle uses a grip on the opponent's sleeve combined with the forearm across the throat to choke. ^[1]

Lineage

Sleeve-assisted strangles were developed in gi BJJ to exploit the gi material for enhanced choking mechanics. ^[1]

Competition Record

Sleeve-assisted strangles appear in gi BJJ competition at IBJJF events. ^[1]

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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 mount — Thread one arm behind the opponent's head using the sleeve, feed the fist or forearm across the throat and squeeze

From inside closed guard — While in opponent's guard, thread the sleeve grip behind their head, drive the fist across

From side control — Secure head control, thread the sleeve-assisted grip and apply the cross-throat pressure

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

Sleeve-assisted strangles use the gi sleeve as a fulcrum or extension of the forearm blade

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 sleeve-assisted forearm strangle uses a gi sleeve grip to reinforce a forearm choke — the sleeve fabric prevents the forearm from slipping and creates additional friction against the neck (Kashiwazaki, Shimewaza, 1992)

✓The technique bridges the Ezekiel family and standard forearm strangles: the forearm provides the choking surface while the sleeve grip locks it in place

✓Setup: grip inside your own sleeve with one hand (as in the Ezekiel), then press the forearm of the sleeve-gripping arm into the opponent's neck — the sleeve anchors the position

✓The sleeve assistance transforms a forearm choke from a strength-dependent technique into a structure-dependent one — the fabric does the holding while the body provides the pressure

✓This strangle works from multiple positions: mount, side control, knee-on-belly, and back control — anywhere the forearm can access the neck and a sleeve grip can be established

✓The forearm presses one carotid while the sleeve fabric and opposite hand control the other side — bilateral compression from the integrated forearm-sleeve structure

✓The sleeve-assisted forearm strangle is a 'stealth' technique: opponents familiar with Ezekiel chokes may not recognise a pure forearm pressure as the same family of attacks

Common Mistakes

!Using the sleeve grip without proper forearm positioning — the sleeve assists, but the forearm must be correctly placed across the carotid arteries

!Gripping the sleeve too loosely — a tight sleeve grip creates the rigid structure needed; loose grips allow the forearm to shift

!Pressing the forearm against the trachea — target the lateral neck (carotid arteries), not the front of the throat; tracheal pressure is less effective and more dangerous

!Not using body weight — the forearm strangle requires weight behind it; muscular pressing alone fatigues quickly

!Attempting from a position where the forearm can't maintain contact — ensure positional stability before committing to the strangle

!Not adjusting the angle — if the initial forearm placement doesn't compress the arteries, rotate or reposition rather than squeezing harder

!Releasing the sleeve when the opponent defends — maintain the sleeve grip and adjust the forearm angle; the grip is the foundation of the technique

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

Kodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime

1BookKodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime

Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime

2SyllabusKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Official Kodokan ground technique classification system

3SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)

4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

5CitationKodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime

Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime

Community

Athletics

Requires

forearm strength, wrist control, top position stability

Favours

thick forearms for pressure across the throat

Key muscles

forearm flexors, wrist extensors, core

Sub-techniques

Ezekiel Choke

Genus

The Ezekiel choke (sode-guruma-jime) uses the attacker's own gi sleeve as a fulcrum: one arm threads behind the opponent's head, the opposite hand feeds through the sleeve of the first arm, and the fist or forearm drives into the throat while the sleeve-arm provides counter-pressure behind the neck. [1,2,3] The sleeve acts as an anchor that prevents the choking arm from slipping and distributes force. [1] The Ezekiel can be applied from mount, side control, inside closed guard, and even from bottom position, making it one of the most versatile gi chokes. [1,4]

2 species·4 techniquesExplore

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle work?

Sleeve-assisted forearm strangles use the attacker's own gi sleeve as a fulcrum against the throat while the opposite arm provides compression from behind the head. The Ezekiel choke (sode-guruma-jime) is the defining technique: the attacker threads one arm behind the opponent's head, feeds the sleeve of that arm across the throat, and squeezes with the opposite forearm.

Where does the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle come from?

Sode-guruma-jime (袖車絞め, sleeve wheel strangle) is a recognized Kodokan Judo shime-waza. The name 'Ezekiel choke' honors Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassú, who famously used this technique while training at the Carlson Gracie academy in the early 1990s, submitting multiple BJJ practitioners.

Is the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle 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 Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle?

Danger rating 8/10. Sleeve-assisted strangles use the gi sleeve as a fulcrum or extension of the forearm blade

How do I set up the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle?

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

How do I defend against the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle?

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 Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle?

Common variants: Gi Ezekiel (uses the sleeve for the choking grip, traditional technique); No-gi Ezekiel (uses the fist or forearm across the throat without sleeve…); Reverse Ezekiel (applied from the bottom position when opponent is in your…).

How effective is the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle in competition?

Sleeve-assisted strangles appear in gi BJJ competition at IBJJF events.

What are common mistakes when doing the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle?

Top errors to watch for: Using the sleeve grip without proper forearm positioning — the sleeve assists, but the forearm must be correctly plac… / Gripping the sleeve too loosely — a tight sleeve grip creates the rigid structure needed; loose grips allow the forea… / Pressing the forearm against the trachea — target the lateral neck (carotid arteries), not the front of the throat; t… / Not using body weight — the forearm strangle requires weight behind it; muscular pressing alone fatigues quickly.

What are other names for the Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle?

The Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle is also known as Sode-guruma-jime, Sleeve Choke, Ezekiel Family.

sleeve assisted forarm strangle sode guruma jime submission choke and strangle lock forarm and collar choke sleeve choke ezekiel family