How To Hit The Most Powerful Choke In Jiu Jitsu
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Thrust Lapel Choke Technique·Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston·Added by Admin
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Thrust Lapel Choke Technique
Genus突込絞(Tsukkomi-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: Thrust Strangle
Overview
The thrust lapel choke drives the fist, knuckles, or forearm into the opponent's throat using the collar as a grip anchor. [1],[2] The attacker grips the collar with one or both hands and thrusts forward, pressing the bony structures of the hand directly into the trachea or carotid arteries. [1],[3] Unlike most collar chokes that rely on fabric compression, the thrust variation uses the collar grip primarily for leverage while the striking surface of the hand delivers the choking pressure. [1],[4] These techniques produce significant discomfort and can function as both air chokes and blood chokes. [1],[5]
History & Origin
Thrust-style lapel chokes have roots in judo's tsukkomi-jime (突込絞め, 'thrust strangle'), a recognized Kodokan shime-waza where one hand thrusts into the throat using the collar for leverage. [2],[3] The technique was adopted in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but is less commonly seen in competition than cross-collar chokes due to its reliance on painful pressure rather than clean blood restriction. [1],[4],[5]
Effectiveness
The thrust lapel choke uses a pushing/thrusting motion with a collar grip to compress the throat. [1]
Lineage
Thrust collar chokes are part of judo's shimewaza, particularly the okuri-eri-jime family. [1]
Competition Record
Thrust lapel chokes are used in gi BJJ and judo competition. [1]
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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 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
ROGER GRACIE Shows How To Do the Perfect Cross Choke From Mount
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Thrust Lapel Choke Technique·Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Roger Gracie Explains How To Do the Perfect Cross Choke From Mount - Roger Gracie teaches How To Do the Cross Choke From…
Underhook Lapel Choke
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Thrust Lapel Choke Technique·Gracie Jiu-jitsu Academy
http://www.GracieAcademy.com Rener Gracie, head instructor of the world famous Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA, teaches…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The thrust lapel choke technique, also known as the 'choke from Hades' or hadaka jime in classical judo terminology, represents a high-leverage forearm-and-collar submission designed for situations where a standard lapel choke is only partially established. Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston emphasizes this technique's application when the opponent has defended by tucking their chin or inserting their fingers into the choke, creating a stalemate where direct pressure yields only discomfort rather than a successful submission. The distinguishing feature of the thrust lapel choke involves transitioning from a mounted or rear-control position by releasing hooks, rolling to the side, moving to the stomach, and then elevating the opponent onto their buttocks while applying downward pressure—a mechanical shift that dramatically increases choking efficiency even from a compromised initial grip. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy's underhook lapel variation contextualizes the technique within side mount, emphasizing precise arm trapping, knee placement through the opponent's elbow, and front-door neck approach to prevent chin defense. Both instructors stress controlling the opponent's arm before final choke application and maintaining a stable base throughout. The technique's effectiveness stems not from initial grip depth but from leveraging body position and weight distribution after the repositioning phase, making it particularly valuable in gi competition where lapel control is fundamental.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Bam Bam Martial Arts Houston — How To Hit The Most Powerful Choke In Jiu Jitsu: Introduced the 'choke from Hades' as a finishing solution for partially-established chokes where opponent has chin tucked or fingers inserted. Detailed the hook-release, side-roll, stomach transition, and knee-drive sequence that generates the submission's power.
- Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics — ROGER GRACIE Shows How To Do the Perfect Cross Choke From Mount: Provided detailed mount positioning principles including upper-body height control, base management against bridge attempts, and detailed hand-sequencing for establishing collar grips while defending against arm insertion—though this video focuses more on cross choke than thrust lapel specifically.
- Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy — Underhook Lapel Choke: Demonstrated the underhook lapel choke from side mount with emphasis on elbow trapping via knee drive, front-door choke entry to prevent chin hiding, and critical details about wrist depth control while maintaining chin exposure and arm isolation.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Thrust chokes use a pushing motion of the fist into the neck combined with lapel tension
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
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 thrust lapel choke drives a fistful of the opponent's lapel directly into the side of the neck — the bunched fabric and knuckles compress the carotid artery through a thrusting motion (Gracie & Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)
✓The technique uses the opponent's own gi lapel as a weapon: grip the lapel deep and thrust the hand into the neck — the stiff fabric transmits force into the artery
✓The thrust distinguishes this from pulling collar chokes: instead of drawing the collar tight, the attacker pushes the lapel fabric directly into the vascular structures
✓From guard or mount: grip the lapel with four fingers inside (or a pistol grip), then thrust the fist toward the opposite side of the neck — the lapel fabric acts as an extension of the fist
✓The choke works on a single-artery principle: the thrust compresses one carotid while the stiff lapel fabric may restrict the other — often causing a rapid blood-pressure response
✓The thrust lapel choke is a high-urgency submission: the direct vascular impact can cause unconsciousness faster than progressive tightening chokes
✓This technique is fundamental in the Gracie system: it demonstrates that gi fabric can be used not just for pulling strangles but for direct pressure attacks
Common Mistakes
!Thrusting into the trachea — aim for the lateral neck where the carotid artery runs; centre-throat thrusts are painful but less effective for strangulation
!Using a loose grip on the lapel — the lapel must be bunched tight in the fist to create a solid striking surface
!Thrusting without body weight — drive from the hips and shoulders, not just the arm; the thrust needs mass behind it
!Attempting without positional control — the thrust requires a stable base; without mount or guard control, the opponent simply moves away
!Using the thrust as a single-attempt technique — if the first thrust is blocked, adjust the angle and re-thrust; it often takes multiple attempts to find the artery
!Telegraphing the grip by reaching for the lapel slowly — grip the lapel during a transition or grip exchange; a deliberate reach is easily defended
!Not following up when the thrust fails — use the grip to transition to cross-collar chokes or sweeps rather than abandoning the position
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 — Official Shime-waza #11
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Shime-waza #11
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Official Shime-waza #11
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 — Official Shime-waza #11
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Official Shime-waza #11
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I grip the collar before or after getting my arm through?
According to Roger Gracie, you should get your whole arm through first before worrying about the grip. Instead of grabbing and then trying to slide the grip in, get your entire arm through so you feel your wrist and forearm on the opponent's neck, and only then establish the grip.
Why is it hard to defend against this choke once one arm is in?
Once you have one arm through the opponent's defense, they must use both of their arms to defend that side, forcing them to fight your one hand with two hands—which is very difficult for them to manage effectively.
How important is body positioning in this choke?
Body positioning is critical—you must maintain a high, tight position on the opponent to prevent them from bringing their elbows in or bridging you off. Stay tall and deep to control their ability to escape, then drop your body down low only when you're ready to apply the choke.
What's the key to making this technique work against experienced opponents?
Mastery comes through years of practicing the mounted position itself, combined with specific escape training where you start already caught in the submission and work on defensive options.
How does the Thrust Lapel Choke Technique work?
The thrust lapel choke drives the fist, knuckles, or forearm into the opponent's throat using the collar as a grip anchor. The attacker grips the collar with one or both hands and thrusts forward, pressing the bony structures of the hand directly into the trachea or carotid arteries.
Where does the Thrust Lapel Choke Technique come from?
Thrust-style lapel chokes have roots in judo's tsukkomi-jime (突込絞め, 'thrust strangle'), a recognized Kodokan shime-waza where one hand thrusts into the throat using the collar for leverage. The technique was adopted in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but is less commonly seen in competition than cross-collar chokes due to its reliance on painful pressure rather than clean blood restriction.
Is the Thrust Lapel Choke Technique 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 Thrust Lapel Choke Technique?
Danger rating 7/10. Thrust chokes use a pushing motion of the fist into the neck combined with lapel tension
How do I set up the Thrust Lapel Choke Technique?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Thrust Lapel Choke Technique?
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 Thrust Lapel Choke Technique?
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 Thrust Lapel Choke Technique in competition?
Thrust lapel chokes are used in gi BJJ and judo competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Thrust Lapel Choke Technique?
Top errors to watch for: Thrusting into the trachea — aim for the lateral neck where the carotid artery runs; centre-throat thrusts are painfu… / Using a loose grip on the lapel — the lapel must be bunched tight in the fist to create a solid striking surface / Thrusting without body weight — drive from the hips and shoulders, not just the arm; the thrust needs mass behind it / Attempting without positional control — the thrust requires a stable base; without mount or guard control, the oppone….
What are other names for the Thrust Lapel Choke Technique?
The Thrust Lapel Choke Technique is also known as Thrust Lapel Choke, Tsukkomi-jime, Push Choke, Lapel Thrust Strangle.