No Gi Ezekiel Choke #bjj #jiujitsu
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·Brandon Mccaghren
Ezekiel Choke From Guard
Species袖車絞（ガードから）(Sode-guruma-jime — From Guard)
TraditionalTranslation: Sleeve Wheel Strangle — From Guard
Overview
The Ezekiel choke from guard is applied by the bottom player who threads one hand inside their own sleeve and wraps it around the opponent's neck, then uses the forearm of the other arm to press across the throat and complete the strangle. [1],[2] From closed guard, the attacker pulls the opponent's posture down and secures the sleeve grip behind the head before positioning the choking forearm. [1] This is an unorthodox guard attack that catches opponents off-guard because the Ezekiel is more commonly expected from top positions. [1],[2]
History & Origin
The Ezekiel choke is named after Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Rodrigues, who used it extensively in BJJ training at the Carlson Gracie academy in the 1990s. [1],[2] While the technique originates from judo's sode-guruma-jime (袖車絞め, sleeve wheel strangle), Rodrigues' aggressive application from inside the opponent's guard made the bottom-position variant famous. [1] The guard application reverses the typical setup, with the bottom player using their own sleeve rather than applying it from a top pin. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
The Ezekiel choke from inside the guard is a rare top-player submission, using the sleeve as a fulcrum to choke from inside closed guard. [1]
Lineage
The Ezekiel choke (sode-guruma-jime) originated in judo and was named after Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Paraguassu, who used it extensively in BJJ competition. [1]
Competition Record
The Ezekiel choke from guard is used in both gi BJJ and MMA competition, notably as a surprise submission from inside guard. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Anterior compression of the trachea and airway — direct pressure on the throat restricts breathing and triggers tap
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (flexion under pressure), hyoid bone region, laryngeal cartilage
Force Vector — Posterior-to-anterior force drives the forearm or wrist blade into the throat
Choking Mechanism — Tracheal compression — restricts air flow rather than blood flow, causing sensation of suffocation
Position & Entry
From closed guard (gi) — Secure deep cross-collar grip, feed second hand to the opposite collar, close elbows and squeeze
From closed guard (no-gi) — Break posture, wrap neck with arm, secure the choking configuration using head and arm control
From open guard — Use spider or collar-sleeve grips to break posture, transition to the choking position
Videos
The no-gi EZEKIEL! 💥 #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu
📩 Newsletter: http://jordanteachesjiujitsu.com/newsletter/ ✅ BJJ Theory Course: https://courses.jordanteachesjiujitsu.…
Free Technique: Head & Arm Triangle and Ezekiel Choke (Gui Mendes) | AOJ+
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·ART OF JIU JITSU
Arm Control Scenario 04 from Gui Mendes' newest series Finishing the Pass - Finishing the Pass is an in-depth positional…
Secrets to take your Ezekiel choke to the NEXT LEVEL
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu
Renzo Gracie BJJ - Ezekiel choke
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·The Grapple Club
Grapple Club Instructionals ⏫ shorturl.at/gwQU8 Get GC Merch! 🔥🔥 shorturl.at/ehrvw Free Technique Playlist 💯 https:…
EASY CHOKE! (Ezekiel Choke) - Setup Details and Defense
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·James Clingerman
Coach James Clingerman teaches advanced setup details for the Ezekiel Choke, and follows up with a simple defense techni…
A Fancy & Unique Ezekiel Choke From Closed Guard
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·Hans David
➡️ Free strength & conditioning workout plan for BJJ: https://hansdavidian.com ➡️ Read my blog for more BJJ stuffs: htt…
Small Detail to Finish Ezekiel Choke
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·JonThomasBJJ
How to do Ezekiel Choke by Erik Paulson
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·BJJ Fanatics
EZEKIEL CHOKE https://bjjfanatics.com Erik Paulson teaches how to do the Ezekiel choke in this jiu jitsu training video…
Ezekiel Choke: How To Execute This Sneaky Submission
0
Ezekiel Choke From Guard·John Connors, Old Man BJJ Black Belt
🛞 How to do an EZEKIEL CHOKE #bjj #jiujitsu #grappling #brazilianjiujitsu Old Man BJJ Black Belt vs Giant Marine Wrest…
1 / 5
10 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Ezekiel choke from guard is executed by trapping the opponent's neck between the attacker's forearm and collar grip, typically applied when the defender is mounted or the top player is in a dominant position. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu demonstrates a gi-based variation using an arm-on-arm approach: the attacker pushes the opponent's arm down, threads their arm under the head in a head-arm triangle configuration, inserts three fingers into their own collar, and drives the fist and wristwatch into the neck while sitting perpendicular and extending. Brandon Mccaghren presents an old-school no-gi method with hands under the head, chest down, and the wrist laid across the grip with the elbow tucked to hook the back, then rotating the head to mount and flexing the wrist to constrict the throat. JonThomasBJJ emphasizes a sleeve-assisted finish detail: after threading the hands through, sliding the grip over to lock it tight creates additional posture and finishing pressure. Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu describes a no-gi version from mount using a bicep bite: lifting the opponent's head to deepen arm placement, making a fist while grabbing the bicep, and pressing the fist onto the carotid artery. Common across all variations is the principle of using forearm pressure against the neck combined with positional control to restrict blood flow.
Synthesized from 4 instructors
- Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu — Secrets to take your Ezekiel choke to the NEXT LEVEL: Arm-on-arm gi variation with head-arm triangle entry, three-finger collar grip, wristwatch pressure, and perpendicular extension finish
- Brandon Mccaghren — No Gi Ezekiel Choke #bjj #jiujitsu: Old-school no-gi method with hands under head, chest down, wrist placement across grip, elbow hook, and carotid bone pressure through head rotation
- JonThomasBJJ — Small Detail to Finish Ezekiel Choke: Sleeve-assisted locking detail that reduces space and increases posture for finishing pressure
- Jordan Teaches Jiujitsu — The no-gi EZEKIEL! 💥 #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu: No-gi mount variation using bicep bite, fist press to carotid artery, and low head positioning
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Ezekiel from inside guard is a surprise attack; named after Ezequiel Paraguassu who used it in judo
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 RulesPDFRestricted
— no-gi competition only — technique requires gi
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— technique requires gi — not applicable in MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The Ezekiel choke from guard is applied while inside the opponent's closed guard — one of the rare submissions that works from within an opponent's guard (Kashiwazaki, Shimewaza, 1992)
✓Setup: while in the opponent's closed guard, thread one hand deep into the opposite sleeve behind the opponent's head, then slide the free hand's blade or fist under the chin
✓The guard Ezekiel exploits the opponent's sense of safety: most fighters feel secure with closed guard, making them vulnerable to this unexpected attack
✓The sleeve grip must be established before the opponent recognises the threat — thread the hand into the sleeve while appearing to work on posture or pass setup
✓The finishing pressure comes from driving the forearm into the neck while the fist pushes the chin up — this compresses both carotid arteries
✓The guard Ezekiel is a positional gambit: if it fails, the attacker may be swept or submitted — but the surprise factor often compensates for the risk
✓In competition, the guard Ezekiel is most effective early in the match when the opponent hasn't scouted the technique — repeated attempts become predictable
Common Mistakes
!Attempting after the opponent has scouted the technique — the guard Ezekiel relies on surprise; against an aware opponent, it becomes a positional liability
!Not maintaining posture while establishing the sleeve grip — if posture breaks during setup, the opponent can sweep or attack
!Taking too long to finish — the guard Ezekiel must be explosive; slow attempts allow the bottom player to open guard and escape
!Not protecting against armbars — when both hands are committed to the choke, the arms are extended and vulnerable; the opponent can transition to armbar
!Failing to recognise when to abandon the attempt — if the choke isn't close within a few seconds, withdraw and resume passing
!Not using head position — drive the head into the opponent's chest to reinforce posture and prevent them from sitting up
!Attempting without a sleeve deep enough for a rigid structure — a shallow sleeve grip creates a loose, ineffective choke
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key detail to finishing the Ezekiel choke instead of just holding the position?
According to Gui Mendes at Art of Jiu Jitsu, the main detail is to elevate your opponent's elbow so it aligns with their shoulder line. If your shoulder is on their face but you can't finish, you need to adjust the elbow position to create the proper angle for the choke.
How do I defend against the Ezekiel choke if someone catches me with it?
James Clingerman advises grabbing your opponent's hand, pulling it down, and pressing their elbow up—this small angle adjustment breaks the choke. The escape is the same regardless of position: hand down, elbow up, and you're free.
Can the Ezekiel choke work from positions other than the guard?
Yes, James Clingerman emphasizes that the Ezekiel choke is one of the few techniques that works from almost anywhere—even inferior positions like mount—as long as your head is inside your opponent's guard.
What should I do to prevent my opponent from escaping when I have the choke set?
Keep your opponent close and maintain pressure; don't let them create distance or 'make pasta' with their arms. James Clingerman stresses keeping them tight against you and being ready to adjust if they try to shift their elbow or create an angle.
How does the Ezekiel Choke From Guard work?
The Ezekiel choke from guard is applied by the bottom player who threads one hand inside their own sleeve and wraps it around the opponent's neck, then uses the forearm of the other arm to press across the throat and complete the strangle. From closed guard, the attacker pulls the opponent's posture down and secures the sleeve grip behind the head before positioning the choking forearm.
Where does the Ezekiel Choke From Guard come from?
The Ezekiel choke is named after Brazilian judoka Ezequiel Rodrigues, who used it extensively in BJJ training at the Carlson Gracie academy in the 1990s. While the technique originates from judo's sode-guruma-jime (袖車絞め, sleeve wheel strangle), Rodrigues' aggressive application from inside the opponent's guard made the bottom-position variant famous.
Is the Ezekiel Choke From Guard 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 Ezekiel Choke From Guard?
Danger rating 8/10. Ezekiel from inside guard is a surprise attack; named after Ezequiel Paraguassu who used it in judo
How do I set up the Ezekiel Choke From Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Ezekiel Choke From Guard?
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 Ezekiel Choke From Guard?
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 Ezekiel Choke From Guard in competition?
The Ezekiel choke from guard is used in both gi BJJ and MMA competition, notably as a surprise submission from inside guard.
What are common mistakes when doing the Ezekiel Choke From Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting after the opponent has scouted the technique — the guard Ezekiel relies on surprise; against an aware oppo… / Not maintaining posture while establishing the sleeve grip — if posture breaks during setup, the opponent can sweep o… / Taking too long to finish — the guard Ezekiel must be explosive; slow attempts allow the bottom player to open guard … / Not protecting against armbars — when both hands are committed to the choke, the arms are extended and vulnerable; th….
What are other names for the Ezekiel Choke From Guard?
The Ezekiel Choke From Guard is also known as Sode-guruma-jime — From Guard, Guard Ezekiel, Sode-guruma-jime from Guard.