Russ: North/South Kimura to Head Scissors Choke
0
North-South HeadscissorsΒ·Revolution BJJ
Browse nearly 100 different video tutorials (words and video): http://hubpages.com/sports/BJJ-Tutorials Revolution Brazβ¦
Translation: Head Scissors (katakana loanword)
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
The north-south headscissors applies the leg-based head squeeze from the north-south position, where the attacker is positioned head-to-head above the supine opponent. [1] The attacker captures the opponent's head between the thighs while lying in the north-south orientation, then squeezes the adductors to compress the neck. [1],[2] The north-south position provides unique leverage because the attacker's body weight presses downward onto the opponent's chest, limiting breathing and creating multiple pressure points simultaneously. [2] This variant often occurs as a transition when the attacker moves from side control to north-south and catches the opponent's head during the transition. [2],[3]
History & Origin
North-south headscissors combinations developed in modern submission grappling where the north-south position was explored for offensive potential beyond the standard north-south choke. [1] Competition grapplers discovered the headscissors as a reliable control and submission option from this underutilised position. [2],[3]
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- JapanBJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
Effectiveness
Difficult to secure from north-south position but devastating when locked β the opponent has limited escape options with the attacker's weight stacked on their chest [1]
Lineage
A catch wrestling technique adapted to BJJ; explored by Neil Melanson and other catch-influenced grapplers [1]
Competition Record
Very rare at competition; more of a novelty technique than a primary attack [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Compression of the neck structures β restricts blood flow or airway depending on technique application
Joints Involved β Cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and vascular structures of the neck
Force Vector β Directed compression against the neck from the choking limb or body position
Finishing Mechanic β Sustained pressure causes either vascular occlusion (unconsciousness) or tracheal restriction (breathing difficulty)
Position & Entry
From guard (bottom position) β Use legs to control the opponent's head and arm, lock the leg configuration and apply compression
From mount (top) β Transition from mount by isolating an arm and threading legs around the head and arm
From side control (spinning) β Spin to face the opponent's legs, throw legs over the head to lock the choke
Variants
Standard north-south choke β shoulder drives into the neck from north-south position
Paper-cutter variation β uses the forearm blade across the throat from the north-south angle
Transition finish β applied during the walk-around from side control to north-south
Videos
1 video
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
7
Very High7/10
Headscissors use the thighs to squeeze the head laterally; risk of neck strain
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
β FIAS Sport Sambo β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
β IBJJF β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFβ shime-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFβ ADCC β Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFβ Unified MMA β Legal β choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFβ FIAS Combat Sambo β Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
βThe north-south headscissors captures the opponent's head in a headscissors from the north-south position β the attacker's thighs compress the neck while maintaining top pressure from the head-to-head orientation (Danaher, Pin Escapes and Turtle Turns: BJJ Fundamentals, 2019)
βFrom north-south: instead of or in addition to the north-south choke, capture the opponent's head between the thighs β the north-south angle provides a unique compression vector
βThe north-south orientation creates a different thigh-to-neck alignment compared to guard headscissors: the thighs press from a more longitudinal angle, compressing the arteries from top
βThe north-south headscissors is a positional submission: the attacker maintains top control (body weight on the opponent) while the legs create the strangle β dual control and submission
βEntry: from north-south control, slide the hips forward until the head is between the thighs, then lock the figure-four
βThe north-south headscissors is less common than the north-south choke but equally effective when the thigh-to-artery alignment is achieved
βThe position chains with the north-south choke: if the headscissors doesn't finish, the arm is already near the neck for the standard north-south choke transition
Common Mistakes
!Not sliding the hips far enough forward β the head must be between the thighs, not near the chest; insufficient hip advance leaves the head out of range
!Losing top pressure while adjusting β maintain chest-to-chest weight while sliding the hips forward; lifting up allows the opponent to escape
!Not locking the figure-four β the figure-four is essential from north-south; without it, the opponent can push the legs apart
!Squeezing with knees instead of thighs β target the carotid arteries with the inner thigh surfaces
!Not extending the hips β hip extension from north-south drives the thighs together; without it, the squeeze is purely muscular
!Ignoring the opponent's bridge escape β the opponent will bridge to create space; be ready to ride the bridge while maintaining the headscissors
!Not transitioning to north-south choke if the headscissors fails β the positions are adjacent; flow between them
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position β achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat β begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold β lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish β apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage
Official Japanese BJJ federation β competition rules and terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (ε€ζ₯θͺ) β used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage
Community
Athletics
Requires
shoulder and chest pressure, hip sprawl endurance
Favours
heavier upper body, broad shoulders
Key muscles
deltoids, pectorals, core, hip extensors
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't my North-South headscissors working as a chokeβit feels more like a face crank?
According to Revolution BJJ's Russ, the key issue is knee placement. You need to get your knees underneath the opponent's chin and around the neck, not curled back like an armlock or pressed against the chin. Extend your legs straight so your knees pop underneath the chin, then pinch them together for the actual choke.
How should I position my legs in the North-South headscissors?
Revolution BJJ's Russ emphasizes that your legs should be aligned with the opponent's shoulders rather than curled back. One knee goes under the neck and one knee goes over the neck, and the common mistake is keeping heels curled back or pressure on the opponent's chin instead of achieving proper neck control.
What's the proper setup technique to secure the North-South headscissors?
Revolution BJJ's Russ recommends rocking your weight forward and getting a slight pump by getting off your legs just a spin, then drive your hips forward before hitting with your knees to lock in the position underneath the chin.
How does the North-South Headscissors work?
The north-south headscissors applies the leg-based head squeeze from the north-south position, where the attacker is positioned head-to-head above the supine opponent. The attacker captures the opponent's head between the thighs while lying in the north-south orientation, then squeezes the adductors to compress the neck.
Where does the North-South Headscissors come from?
North-south headscissors combinations developed in modern submission grappling where the north-south position was explored for offensive potential beyond the standard north-south choke. Competition grapplers discovered the headscissors as a reliable control and submission option from this underutilised position.
Is the North-South Headscissors legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes are the safest submission catβ¦; IJF: legal β Legal (shime-waza) β strangulation techniques are one of three permitted submβ¦; ADCC: legal β Legal; Unified MMA: legal β Legal β choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
How dangerous is the North-South Headscissors?
Danger rating 7/10. Headscissors use the thighs to squeeze the head laterally; risk of neck strain
How do I set up the North-South Headscissors?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position β Create the Threat β Secure the Hold β Finish.
How do I defend against the North-South Headscissors?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition β identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base β maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight β deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the North-South Headscissors?
Common variants: Standard north-south choke (shoulder drives into the neck from north-south position); Paper-cutter variation (uses the forearm blade across the throat from the north-sβ¦); Transition finish (applied during the walk-around from side control to northβ¦).
How effective is the North-South Headscissors in competition?
Very rare at competition; more of a novelty technique than a primary attack
What are common mistakes when doing the North-South Headscissors?
Top errors to watch for: Not sliding the hips far enough forward β the head must be between the thighs, not near the chest; insufficient hip aβ¦ / Losing top pressure while adjusting β maintain chest-to-chest weight while sliding the hips forward; lifting up allowβ¦ / Not locking the figure-four β the figure-four is essential from north-south; without it, the opponent can push the leβ¦ / Squeezing with knees instead of thighs β target the carotid arteries with the inner thigh surfaces.
What are other names for the North-South Headscissors?
The North-South Headscissors is also known as Heddo ShizΔzu, North-South Scissor Strangle, Top Position Kubi-basami.