How To Do Rear Ezekiel Choke In Gi & No-Gi
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Sleeve Assisted Forarm Strangle·Resenha BJJ
Marcio shows how to do a rear ezekiel choke in both gi and no-gi! The Best Made No-Gi Rashguards and Shorts: https://p…
Translation: Sleeve Wheel Strangle
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
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]
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]
Country of origin· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- Japan袖車絞(Sode-guruma-jime)BJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
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
Videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Sleeve-assisted strangles use the gi sleeve as a fulcrum or extension of the forearm blade
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 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
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
Kodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime
1BookKodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Sode-guruma-jime
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
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
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I place the blade of my forearm on my opponent's neck?
Set up the blade of your forearm on your opponent's neck and go as deep as possible—if your hand is positioned below your opponent's shoulder line, the choke won't be effective.
What's the difference between the top arm and bottom arm in this choke?
Your opponent will naturally worry most about the top arm, which is the one they'll try to prevent the choke with, while the bottom arm has more freedom for your work since it's primarily used to grab the collar or pants.
How do I finish the choke once I have the position locked?
Bring your primary arm against your chest to squeeze the jugular while using your other arm to push your opponent's head down toward their chest, combining both motions together for the finish.
From what positions can I apply the sleeve-assisted forearm strangle?
This choke can be applied from three-quarter mount, technical mount, back control, and when your opponent is positioned sideways.
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.