North-South Choke Overview
The North-South choke is a submission technique with multiple variations depending on the practitioner's approach. The instructor emphasizes that turning the opponent's face away using the ribcage is the most critical element, as is maintaining proper positioning in the North-South posture to separate the chin from the body.
Setup from Side Control with Head Lasso
The technique begins from side control using a head lasso entry. When scooping the head, the fingertips must push into the floor to maintain stability and prevent reversals. The practitioner brings one arm over the head and comes back underneath while maintaining this floor pressure.
Body Positioning and Ribcage Control
Rather than squeezing with arm strength alone, the practitioner dips the pelvis and uses the ribcage to turn the opponent's face away from the body. This movement—not hand pressure or arm squeezing—is identified as the most important aspect of the technique, creating the separation necessary for an effective choke.
Hip Control and Continued Movement
After establishing the lasso position, the practitioner uses one hand to control the opponent's hip while continuing to move backward into the North-South position. The second hand functions primarily for hip blocking rather than active choking, allowing the technique to work efficiently with minimal arm strength if executed correctly.
Progressive North-South Advancement
The practitioner continues moving backward into the North-South position, progressively increasing the separation between the opponent's chin and body. Once the practitioner's ear reaches the opponent's armpit, the squeeze can be applied with maximum efficiency.
Arterial Compression Mechanics
The technique operates on two principles: the initial squeeze occludes blood flow, while the stretching of the neck caused by the North-South position creates an irregular arterial pattern that also restricts circulation. This dual mechanism—pulling through positional movement combined with a final squeeze—generates significant choking power without requiring excessive muscular strength.
Hand Positioning and Arm Placement
As the practitioner advances into North-South, they can bring the controlling hand to the inside and optionally connect both hands around the neck. However, the core technique should function with proper positioning even using only one arm, indicating that leverage and positioning matter more than bilateral hand control.
Defense Against Bridge Escape
By maintaining control on the opponent's head rather than their body, the practitioner prevents the opponent from using a bridge escape effectively. The head control ensures that when the opponent attempts to bridge upward, the practitioner's weight remains distributed on the head, maintaining positional dominance.
North South Submission North South Choke
Key Takeaways
- •North-South Choke Overview
- •Setup from Side Control with Head Lasso
- •Body Positioning and Ribcage Control
- •Hip Control and Continued Movement
In this video I show a very basic but important choke, the North/South Choke. There are many different theories on the different aspects of this choke. I personally value pressure with with rib cage and making sure you're moving away from your opponent to spread the chin from his/her neck. The first order of business is to Lasso the head. I prefer to set this up from Side Control or Reverse Kesa Gatame as the angle is easier on your elbow. Make sure if you do it from Reverse Kesa that you avoid allowing them to control your wrist at any time or they try to submit you. If you transition like this with the head already lassoed then you'll find that you can focus on turning your partners face away from you with your rib cage. This, to me, is the most important part. Make sure that you really emphasize this during the transition. Do not concern yourself with controlling your opponent's chest (as they will be able to bridge, the main focus should be turning their head. Once you're securely in this position make sure you block the hips with one hand and move more North/South with your body. This may be difficult as you're moving away from the hips but it is ok to fully extend that arm. Once you move back a little bit and you think you've moved back far enough I want you to move back more. Make sure the pressure is still turning your opponent's face away as you never want them to turn into you. If you, at any point, feel yourself losing control of your opponent's head and he/she is going to turn towards you it's time to try and switch to the guillotine and mount your opponent. Make sure you stay ahead of him/her in the transition. Now that you've moved back further than you feel comfortable with it's time to start putting pressure. Squeeze with that lassoed arm and flex your bicep. If you are far enough north/south you wont even need that other hand. In the event that you can not do it single handed, move more north/south (if you're repping this). If you are sparring then you can bring that other hand in to help squeeze. Bottom line is you should be able to do this one handed against a non resisting opponent. There is a danger in going to far north/south in that there is a counter choke from the person on the bottom. It is important that you protect the space between your far ear and your shoulder. I will film this counter in my next set of videos as I had never seen it before and had a student ask me about it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about north-south?
This video covers north-south choke overview, setup from side control with head lasso, body positioning and ribcage control. It provides detailed instruction from Great Grappling.
How long does it take to learn north-south?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing north-south?
As the practitioner advances into North-South, they can bring the controlling hand to the inside and optionally connect both hands around the neck. However, the core technique should function with proper positioning even using only one arm, indicating that leverage and positioning matter more than bilateral hand control.
