How To Do Loop Choke From Lasso Guard! ( You Can't Miss it)
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Guard Choke·BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu Channel
in this Video today i show 2 ways to to apply a loop choke from lasso guard, Lasso guard is one of the most powerful gua…
Guard Choke
Familyガードチョーク(Gādo Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Guard Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
Guard chokes are choking submissions executed from bottom guard positions — closed guard, open guard, half guard, and various guard variations. [1] These techniques exploit the guard player's ability to control distance, break posture, and use the legs to create leverage while the opponent is trapped between the legs or in a guard configuration. Common guard chokes include cross-collar chokes from closed guard, loop chokes from half guard, gogoplatas (shin-across-throat chokes from rubber guard or mission control), and various collar drags into choking positions. Guard chokes are a defining feature of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's strategic innovation — the ability to submit an opponent from the bottom position was revolutionary in early MMA and remains central to BJJ's competitive identity. [2]
History & Origin
Guard-based choking techniques are primarily a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu innovation. While judo includes some guard-position groundwork (ne-waza), the systematic development of offensive submissions from bottom guard is a distinctly BJJ contribution. [1] The Gracie family's emphasis on fighting from the guard in their challenge matches demonstrated that a bottom fighter could submit a top fighter — an idea considered counterintuitive in most wrestling and grappling traditions. [2] The gogoplata, popularized by Nino Schembri and Eddie Bravo, represents modern guard choke innovation using rubber guard flexibility.
Effectiveness
Guard-based chokes represent one of the most diverse and effective submission families — from closed guard cross chokes to rubber guard gogoplatas, the guard position offers unparalleled choking opportunities in both gi and no-gi [1]
Lineage
Guard chokes have been central to BJJ since its inception. Helio Gracie emphasized cross chokes from guard; modern innovators like Marcelo Garcia (guillotines), Eddie Bravo (rubber guard), and Keenan Cornelius (lapel) have expanded the family dramatically [1]
Competition Record
Guard-based chokes collectively produce more submission finishes than any other positional family in both gi (IBJJF) and no-gi (ADCC) competition [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cross-collar or lapel-driven compression of the carotid arteries using gi material as a friction anchor
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (flexion or lateral bend), wrists and forearms (grip and rotation)
Force Vector — Opposing forearm rotation creates a scissors effect across both sides of the neck
Gi Factor — Lapel fabric increases friction and distributes force over a wider surface area, making the choke harder to escape
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
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
6
High6/10
Guard-based chokes use closed guard leverage for blood chokes
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
✓The guard choke family encompasses all choking submissions applied from the bottom guard position — using the guard's leg control and proximity to execute strangles while maintaining a defensive platform (Danaher, Guard Retention and Submissions, 2020)
✓The guard provides a unique choking platform: the legs control distance and prevent escape, both hands are free for neck attacks, and the opponent must engage to pass — creating choking opportunities
✓The family includes lapel-based chokes (Brabo, cross-collar from guard), shin-based chokes (gogoplata), arm-wrap chokes (guillotine from guard), and leg-based chokes (triangle from guard)
✓Guard chokes serve dual purposes: they threaten submissions directly and they deter aggressive guard passing — an opponent who fears the choke passes more cautiously, making other guard techniques more effective
✓The guard choke family is central to BJJ strategy: the ability to threaten submissions from bottom position is what makes the guard a viable fighting position
✓Guard chokes work against forward pressure: the opponent's forward drive into the guard is redirected into the choke — making their offence the fuel for the defender's submission
✓The evolution of guard chokes from basic collar strangles to sophisticated systems (rubber guard, Brabo, Marcelo Garcia's arm-in guillotine) represents one of the most significant developments in modern BJJ
Common Mistakes
!Only training one type of guard choke — the family includes fabric chokes, forearm chokes, shin chokes, and leg chokes; a complete guard game uses multiple types
!Attempting guard chokes without positional control — the guard must be maintained throughout the choke attempt; sacrificing guard for a choke often results in losing both
!Not chaining guard chokes with sweeps — choke attempts create reactions that facilitate sweeps; train the choke-to-sweep transitions
!Holding failed choke attempts too long — if a guard choke isn't finishing, transition to sweeps or other submissions; stubbornly holding a defended choke wastes energy and position
!Ignoring the guard-passing threat — while attacking chokes from guard, remain aware of the opponent's passing attempts; a choke that costs you the guard is a bad trade
!Not understanding which guard chokes work from which guard type — closed guard, butterfly, half guard, and open guard each support different choke entries
!Treating guard chokes as desperate moves — they are systematic techniques that require the same technical proficiency as top-position submissions
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
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Community
Athletics
Requires
exceptional hip flexibility, long legs
Favours
extreme lower body flexibility (rubber guard practitioners)
Key muscles
hip flexors, hamstrings, adductors
Sub-techniques
Lapel Overhook Choke
SubFamilyLapel overhook chokes use an overhook (whizzer) grip on the opponent's arm combined with a collar or lapel grip to create a choking mechanism from guard position. [1] The overhook traps the opponent's arm and brings their posture down, while the collar grip applies pressure across the neck. [2,3]
1 genera·3 techniquesExplore
Shin Over Neck Choke
SubFamilyShin-over-neck chokes use the shin or calf placed across the opponent's throat from guard positions to create choking pressure using leg strength. [1,2] The gogoplata is the most famous technique: from rubber guard or mission control, the attacker places the shin across the throat and pulls the opponent's head down onto the shin. [3,4] These chokes require exceptional hip flexibility but generate enormous force due to leg musculature. [5]
1 genera·3 techniquesExplore
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from escaping when I set up the lasso for the loop choke?
Once you establish the lasso, keep pulling your opponent to prevent them from moving away or sitting up. BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes that timing is critical—pull the lasso, move back to connect, then execute the choke before they can escape.
What's the key detail for getting my leg deep enough to finish the loop choke?
Keep your leg straight and place your foot between your opponent's legs rather than leaving it on the hip. When you flatten yourself and extend your leg, this stretch forces their posture to break and creates the opening for the choke, according to BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu.
Should I sweep or choke first when setting up the loop choke from lasso guard?
BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu stresses that it's very important to thread the sweep first so your opponent stops defending, then you execute the loop choke. If you go for the choke stretch without the sweep setup, your opponent will have an easier time defending.
What grip should I use for the loop choke finish?
Secure the collar—don't grip on the sleeves. BIG OSS Jiu-Jitsu recommends wrapping your head with both hands on the collar for the loop choke finish, and make sure something is blocking the opponent's shoulder to prevent them from rolling out.
How does the Guard Choke work?
Guard chokes are choking submissions executed from bottom guard positions — closed guard, open guard, half guard, and various guard variations. These techniques exploit the guard player's ability to control distance, break posture, and use the legs to create leverage while the opponent is trapped between the legs or in a guard configuration.
Where does the Guard Choke come from?
Guard-based choking techniques are primarily a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu innovation. While judo includes some guard-position groundwork (ne-waza), the systematic development of offensive submissions from bottom guard is a distinctly BJJ contribution.
Is the Guard Choke 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 Guard Choke?
Danger rating 6/10. High — guard-based chokes use closed guard leverage for blood chokes
How do I set up the Guard Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Guard Choke?
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 Guard Choke?
Common variants: Standard gogoplata (shin placed across the throat from rubber guard or high g…); Mounted gogoplata (applied from mount position, shin across the throat); Reverse gogoplata (applied from behind or inverted position).
How effective is the Guard Choke in competition?
Guard-based chokes collectively produce more submission finishes than any other positional family in both gi (IBJJF) and no-gi (ADCC) competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Guard Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Only training one type of guard choke — the family includes fabric chokes, forearm chokes, shin chokes, and leg choke… / Attempting guard chokes without positional control — the guard must be maintained throughout the choke attempt; sacri… / Not chaining guard chokes with sweeps — choke attempts create reactions that facilitate sweeps; train the choke-to-sw… / Holding failed choke attempts too long — if a guard choke isn't finishing, transition to sweeps or other submissions;….
What are other names for the Guard Choke?
The Guard Choke is also known as Gādo Chōku, Guard Submissions, Bottom Choke, Choke from Guard.