Cow Catcher - Catching the Head Standing
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Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock·Brandon Quick
@fusenryu-jiu-jitsubresilie910 Fusen Ryu Tournai, Belgium 🇧🇪 -Flare a palm, flare an elbow to gain an Underhook -G…
Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock
Speciesキャトルチョーク・スタンディングヘッドロックから
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Cattle Choke (also called the Bulldog Choke) From Standing Headlock is a compression choke applied from a standing headlock position where the attacker wraps both arms around the opponent's neck and squeezes — named because the control resembles a cowboy roping cattle. [1] The standing entry creates momentum and positional advantage for the choke. [1],[2]
Standing Bulldog ChokeHeadlock Cattle ChokeWrestling
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the BJJ/grappling submission system. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Applying this specific choking or cranking configuration to the opponent's neck or spine
Joints Involved — Neck (cervical spine — the target of all chokes/cranks in this family), arms (the choking limb creates the compression surface), shoulders (positioning determines the choking angle)
Force Vector — Bilateral compression (chokes compress from two sides) or rotational/extension (cranks apply torsion or hyperextension)
Submission Mechanic — The specific grip, arm positioning, and body alignment create the unique compression geometry of this variation
Position & Entry
From back control — Establish back control, then transition to this specific choke/crank variation
From front headlock — Secure the front headlock, then apply this specific choke configuration
From the parent position — Enter through the position described in the parent genus/species
Videos
PIN FOR TIME AND APPLY THE SUBMISSION TECHNIQUE 2 Pins and 3 Armlocks
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Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock·welcomematstevescott
This video shows how to control an opponent with Osaekomi Waza (Pinning Techniques) and apply different submission techn…
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The cattle choke from standing headlock is a submission technique that transitions from a standing control position into a ground-based choke. Brandon Quick (Brandon Quick channel) provides detailed instruction on the setup and execution from standing, emphasizing proper head control and positioning before transitioning to the ground. Quick stresses the importance of establishing an underhook and controlling the opponent's chin—pulling it toward the attacker's ribs rather than holding it extended—to prevent the opponent from escaping into alternative wrestling positions like fireman's carry or single-leg takedowns. He demonstrates pulling the opponent down to the ground by snapping with the underhook and shoulder control, then transitioning to a wizard control position on the ground before executing the choke. Critically, Quick distinguishes between standing and ground applications, warning against reaching for the back pocket while standing because the opponent can counter with a headlock throw or arm-over escape. The welcomematstevescott channel ("PIN FOR TIME AND APPLY THE SUBMISSION TECHNIQUE") addresses the broader context of pinning-to-submission transitions in competitive grappling, demonstrating how control positions establish the foundation for subsequent submissions including chokes. While welcomematstevescott does not specifically detail the cattle choke, the instruction reinforces the principle that effective submission work requires secure positional control before applying the final technique. Both instructors agree on the primacy of head control and the importance of ground positioning before initiating the choke.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Brandon Quick — Cow Catcher - Catching the Head Standing: Detailed technical instruction on establishing underhook, controlling opponent's chin and head position, snapping opponent to ground, transitioning to wizard control, and distinguishing between standing and ground application safety considerations.
- welcomematstevescott — PIN FOR TIME AND APPLY THE SUBMISSION TECHNIQUE 2 Pins and 3 Armlocks: Contextual framework for pin-to-submission transitions in competitive grappling, emphasizing that secure positional control must precede submission execution.
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early
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 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
✓Apply slowly in training — chokes and cranks can cause injury if applied explosively
✓Tap early when caught — blood chokes cause unconsciousness rapidly; neck cranks can damage the cervical spine
✓Drill the specific grip and positioning until automatic
✓Chain with alternative choke variations when this one is defended
Common Mistakes
!Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective
!Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique
!Not controlling posture before applying
!Holding after the tap — release immediately
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Control Position
2Secure the Specific Grip
3Position the Choking Surface
4Apply Compression
5Finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength, arm positioning precision, back control ability
Key muscles
forearms (squeeze), biceps (compression), shoulders (positioning)
Sub-techniques
Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock Palm-to-Palm
VarietyThe Palm-to-Palm variation of the standing Cattle Choke uses a palm-to-palm clasp (Gable-style grip) to secure the choking configuration — the strongest clasp available, preventing grip stripping during the choke attempt. [1,2]
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Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock S-Grip
VarietyThe S-Grip variation of the standing Cattle Choke uses an S-grip (four fingers interlocked) to clasp the hands during the choke — providing a different grip texture than the Gable grip that some practitioners find more secure for this particular choke angle. [1,2]
Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from bridging and rolling out of the cattle choke?
According to Steve Scott, you should trap your opponent's arm in front of you so they can't reach around the back, then grab behind your knee and squeeze their head hard to make bridging more difficult. This arm positioning prevents them from using leverage to escape.
What's the proper hand position when setting up the cattle choke to keep my base stable?
Steve Scott emphasizes keeping your hips correctly aligned and not giving up your base by leaning too far forward. If you want to make the submission nastier, you can set up an underhook on the far side instead of compromising your position.
How do I isolate and control my opponent's arm in the cattle choke?
Make sure to bring the arm back and squeeze the wrist to prevent them from wiggling their arm around, then move your knees together to trap them in place while keeping them on their back.
How does the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock work?
The Cattle Choke (also called the Bulldog Choke) From Standing Headlock is a compression choke applied from a standing headlock position where the attacker wraps both arms around the opponent's neck and squeezes — named because the control resembles a cowboy roping cattle. The standing entry creates momentum and positional advantage for the choke.
Where does the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock come from?
This variation developed within the broader choking/cranking system of its parent technique family.
Is the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock 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 Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock?
Danger rating 8/10. High — chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early
How do I set up the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock?
The standard setup chain: Establish Control Position → Secure the Specific Grip → Position the Choking Surface → Apply Compression → Finish.
How do I defend against the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock?
Standard counters include: Hand fighting — stripping the grip before the choke is set / Chin tuck — protecting the throat / Posture — creating distance to prevent the choke / Turning — turning to face the attacker.
What are the variants of the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock?
Common variants: This is a specific variation (see parent genus/species for alternative variations).
How effective is the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock in competition?
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock?
Top errors to watch for: Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective / Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique / Not controlling posture before applying / Holding after the tap — release immediately.
What are other names for the Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock?
The Cattle Choke From Standing Headlock is also known as Standing Bulldog Choke, Headlock Cattle Choke.