Unlocking Submissions from North-South
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From North-South·SBG PDX & Vancouver BJJ and MMA Videos
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From North-South
SubFamilyノースサウスから(Nōsu Sausu kara)
TransliterationTranslation: from north-south
Overview
The north-south choke from the north-south position is applied by wrapping one arm around the opponent's neck while the attacker's body lies perpendicular on top, facing the opposite direction. [1] The attacker drops the hip on the choking side, tightens the arm around the neck, and uses body weight to amplify the compression. [2]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
North-south submissions include the north-south choke, kimura, and various arm locks, attacking from a strong pinning position. [1]
Lineage
North-south submissions were developed primarily in BJJ, with the north-south choke popularised by competitors like Marcelo Garcia. [1]
Competition Record
The north-south choke has been used as a finishing technique in both ADCC and UFC competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From side control (transition) — Walk around the opponent's head to north-south position, trap the near arm, drop shoulder into the neck
From north-south position — Already in position, thread the arm under the neck, connect hands and sprawl hips to compress
Videos
NORTH SOUTH KIMURA || Part 1 of 4
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From North-South·The Grapple Lab
OaE Head Coach Kevin Hall looks at North South Kimura in this 4 part instructional. In this video he looks at entry into…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
North-south choke variant using chest-on-face weight combined with arm/shoulder compression
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 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 north-south position entry sets up the north-south choke — transitioning from side control to north-south by sliding the head past the opponent's head while maintaining chest-to-chest pressure (Danaher, Pin Escapes and Turtle Turns: BJJ Fundamentals, 2019)
✓The north-south transition: from side control, walk the feet toward the opponent's head while sliding the chest over their face — end with your chest on their chest, facing their legs
✓The north-south position is inherently choking: the attacker's weight on the opponent's face and chest restricts breathing — even before the formal choke is applied
✓From north-south: thread the choking arm under the opponent's neck (from the side you were controlling in side control), grip the far hip, and sprawl
✓The transition to the choke must be seamless: the arm threads during the positional shift, so the opponent is already half-choked when the north-south position is established
✓North-south is also a strong control position: even without the choke, the weight-on-face pressure is demoralising and energy-draining
✓The north-south entry often comes when the opponent escapes side control by turning away: their turn exposes the far side of the neck — slide to north-south and thread the choking arm as they turn
Common Mistakes
!Losing top pressure during the transition — maintain chest contact throughout the side-control-to-north-south slide; lifting up allows the opponent to re-guard
!Not threading the arm during the transition — if the arm isn't around the neck by the time north-south is established, the opponent can tuck and defend
!Transitioning to north-south without purpose — go to north-south specifically for the choke; random positional movement without intent wastes energy
!Not controlling the opponent's arms — the near arm can frame and create space; pin or control it before establishing the choke
!Ending up too high (closer to the waist than the head) — the chest must be on the opponent's upper chest/face; too low reduces armpit-to-neck contact
!Not adjusting after the transition — fine-tune the arm position and hip height after reaching north-south; the initial position often needs adjustment
!Transitioning without maintaining dominant grips — carry your side-control grips (underhook, crossface) into the transition; releasing them gives the opponent freedom to move
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
Kosen Judo / Japanese BJJ
1BookKosen Judo / Japanese BJJ
Japanese terminology sourced from Kosen Judo / Japanese BJJ
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationKosen Judo / Japanese BJJ
Japanese terminology sourced from Kosen Judo / Japanese BJJ
Community
Athletics
Requires
shoulder and chest pressure, hip sprawl endurance
Favours
heavier upper body, broad shoulders
Key muscles
deltoids, pectorals, core, hip extensors
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main thing I need to stop when my opponent is in north-south position?
You need to prevent their elbow from escaping to the mat, especially in no-gi where it's slippier. SBG PDX emphasizes getting your thumb deep in their armpit and using body weight to pin it, since the elbow slip is their primary escape route.
How do I set up a north-south armlock so my opponent can't escape?
Get your thumb toward your head deep in their armpit, roll the arm, get your head down and pin with body weight, then walk your leg up in front of their face before pinching your knees. This controls the elbow and prevents the escape.
What are the main submissions I can finish from north-south position?
You can finish with a kimura by locking up the wrist, stepping back over the top, and using your whole body to turn the arm behind the back. You can also trap their head between your calf and thigh for a calf cutter or paper cutter choke variation.
If my opponent grips their belt to defend the kimura from north-south, what should I do?
Use constant steady pressure pulling up, and when their grip loosens from the strain, pull out and away from the belt while lifting their elbow back to your chest, using your whole body to turn the arm into the submission.
How does the From North-South work?
The north-south choke from the north-south position is applied by wrapping one arm around the opponent's neck while the attacker's body lies perpendicular on top, facing the opposite direction. The attacker drops the hip on the choking side, tightens the arm around the neck, and uses body weight to amplify the compression.
Where does the From North-South come from?
This technique was developed primarily in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the kami-shiho-gatame position. Marcelo Garcia's mastery of the north-south choke made it one of the most feared positional finishes in ADCC competition.
Is the From North-South 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 From North-South?
Danger rating 8/10. North-south choke variant using chest-on-face weight combined with arm/shoulder compression
How do I set up the From North-South?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the From North-South?
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 From North-South?
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-s…); Transition finish (applied during the walk-around from side control to north…).
How effective is the From North-South in competition?
The north-south choke has been used as a finishing technique in both ADCC and UFC competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the From North-South?
Top errors to watch for: Losing top pressure during the transition — maintain chest contact throughout the side-control-to-north-south slide; … / Not threading the arm during the transition — if the arm isn't around the neck by the time north-south is established… / Transitioning to north-south without purpose — go to north-south specifically for the choke; random positional moveme… / Not controlling the opponent's arms — the near arm can frame and create space; pin or control it before establishing ….
What are other names for the From North-South?
The From North-South is also known as Nōsu Sausu kara, Kami-shiho position choke, North-South Submission.