BJJ - X Choke from Mount | Palm Up / Palm Down
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Palm Up Palm Down Choke·Focused Fight Team
The X Choke from Mount is a classic BJJ submission that works at all levels. In this video, Coach Jeff Robison demonstra…
Palm Up Palm Down Choke
SubFamilyパーム・アップ・パーム・ダウン・チョーク(Pāmu Appu Pāmu Daun Chōku)
Translation: Palm up palm down choke
Overview
The Palm Up Palm Down Choke is a cross-collar choke variation where one hand grips the collar palm-up and the other palm-down, creating a scissoring action across the carotid arteries. [1] This mixed grip creates a different angle of pressure compared to the standard palm-up/palm-up cross choke, often catching opponents who have trained defences against the conventional grip. [1] Ribeiro demonstrates this from both closed guard and mount positions. [1]
Cross Choke VariationBoxingMixed Grip Cross ChokeBoxing
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Extremely effective from mount; the mixed grip catches opponents who are accustomed to defending the standard cross choke. [1]
Lineage
Judo Juji Jime tradition; refined in Gracie BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Bilateral carotid compression via opposing collar grips (one palm-up, one palm-down)
Joints Involved — Both wrists (rotation for grip), forearms (cross-pressure)
Force Vector — Scissoring cross-pressure from opposing grip angles
Leverage Principle — The opposing grips create a twisting scissor action that is mechanically different from parallel grips
Position & Entry
From mount — Establish first grip palm-up deep on the collar, second grip palm-down on the opposite collar, pull elbows down
From closed guard — Same grip pattern but with legs controlling the opponent's posture
Variants
Not yet documented
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Blood choke with quick onset when properly applied
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 first grip (palm-up) must be deep — four fingers inside the collar (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
✓The second grip (palm-down) slides under the first arm
✓Drive the elbows toward the mat to tighten
Common Mistakes
!Grips too shallow
!Not driving elbows downward
!Allowing opponent to create space
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve mount → Establish deep first grip palm-up → Thread second grip palm-down → Drop elbows → Finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro & Howell, 2008)
1Book[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
2Citation[1] Ribeiro, S. and Howell, K. (2008). Jiu-Jitsu University. Victory Belt Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9815044-3-8. Technical Editor: John Danaher.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Ribeiro, S
Community
Athletics
Requires strong grip
Good wrist dexterity for the grip angles
Notes
The palm up / palm down collar choke (nami juji jime in judo) uses opposite grip orientations — one palm faces up, the other faces down — creating a scissoring pressure on both carotid arteries. One of the three cross-collar choke variants in the Kodokan system. (Kano, Kodokan Judo)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I stay centered on my opponent when setting up the palm up palm down choke?
Staying centered allows your opponent to roll you, so you need to come off to an angle (around 12-2 o'clock) to maintain control and prevent them from escaping.
What should I do with my head and hips as I transition into the choke?
Place your head down and drop your hips to make it very hard for your opponent to sprawl or bridge into you, while using your head to push their head away and open up their neck.
How do I maintain pressure while setting up this choke from mount?
Keep constant pressure with your chest and body weight, drop your elbow on their chest, keep your weight heavy, and once you get your hand in the collar, start getting as tight as possible while cinching down.
What should I do if my opponent grabs my arm while I'm feeding my hand into the collar?
If they grab your arm while you're in the collar, this can feed you into an armbar opportunity that you can then attack.
How does the Palm Up Palm Down Choke work?
The Palm Up Palm Down Choke is a cross-collar choke variation where one hand grips the collar palm-up and the other palm-down, creating a scissoring action across the carotid arteries. This mixed grip creates a different angle of pressure compared to the standard palm-up/palm-up cross choke, often catching opponents who have trained defences against the conventional grip.
Where does the Palm Up Palm Down Choke come from?
The cross-collar choke is one of the oldest techniques in judo (Juji Jime) and was adopted into BJJ. The palm up/palm down variant offers a mechanical alternative to the standard grips.
Is the Palm Up Palm Down 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 Palm Up Palm Down Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Blood choke with quick onset when properly applied
How do I set up the Palm Up Palm Down Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve mount → Establish deep first grip palm-up → Thread second grip palm-down → Drop elbows → Finish.
How do I defend against the Palm Up Palm Down Choke?
Standard counters include: Strip the first grip early / Frame against the chest / Buck and roll escape.
How effective is the Palm Up Palm Down Choke in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Palm Up Palm Down Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Grips too shallow / Not driving elbows downward / Allowing opponent to create space.
What are other names for the Palm Up Palm Down Choke?
The Palm Up Palm Down Choke is also known as Pāmu Appu Pāmu Daun Chōku, Cross Choke Variation, Mixed Grip Cross Choke.