Cross Collar Choke

The Cross Collar Choke is a gi choke that is one of the foundational submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It uses the opponent's lapels to create a blood choke, cutting off blood flow through the carotid arteries. The choke is highly effective due to its simplicity and can be applied from multiple positions, particularly from the guard or mount.

Mechanics of the Cross Collar Choke

Grips

  • The choke involves gripping both sides of the opponent’s collar.
  • One hand establishes a deep collar grip, typically with the thumb inside (palm-down grip).
  • The other hand grips the opposite collar, either thumb-out or fingers-in (palm-up grip).

Choke Mechanics

  • The choking pressure comes from crossing your arms and pulling the lapels tightly across the opponent's neck.
  • The sharp edges of your wrists, combined with the lapels, compress the carotid arteries.

Finishing Motion

  • You apply pressure by pulling the grips toward your body while curling your wrists and squeezing your elbows inward.

Steps to Execute the Cross Collar Choke

Grip Establishment

  • Reach deep into the opponent’s collar with one hand, ensuring a secure grip near the back of their neck.
  • With the other hand, grab the opposite collar just below your first grip.

Adjust Position

Apply Pressure

  • Pull the grips toward your body while curling your wrists inward to tighten the choke.
  • Squeeze your elbows together to further constrict the opponent’s neck.

Final Adjustments

  • If the choke isn’t tight, adjust the depth of your grips or angle your body to optimize the pressure.

Common Positions for the Cross Collar Choke

Closed Guard

  • The Cross Collar Choke is a classic attack from Closed Guard. Use your legs to control the opponent’s posture and prevent them from breaking your grips.

Mount

  • From Mount, establish a deep grip while keeping your base. Use your weight to drive pressure into the choke.

Open Guard

  • The choke can be initiated from Open Guard as part of a series of attacks, especially when the opponent’s posture is compromised.

Back Control

  • If you have back control with a gi, the Cross Collar Choke can be executed when the opponent’s lapel is exposed.

Key Concepts for the Cross Collar Choke

Grip Depth

  • A deep first grip (near the back of the neck) is essential to applying strong choking pressure.

Angles and Fundamentals/Base

  • Adjust your position to maximize leverage, such as angling your body slightly or pulling the opponent into you.

Pressure

  • Use your body weight to drive pressure into the choke, especially from positions like Mount.

Timing and Control

  • Set up the choke while maintaining positional control to prevent the opponent from escaping or breaking grips.

Defending Against the Cross Collar Choke

Break the Grips

  • Prevent the opponent from establishing deep collar grips early.

Posture

  • Maintain good posture to deny the leverage needed for the choke, especially in Guard.

Counterattack

  • Transition into escapes or sweeps while the opponent focuses on securing the choke.

The Cross Collar Choke choke is a fundamental submission that combines Grip Fighting, Angles, and Pressure to deliver a highly effective and reliable attack. Mastering it provides a powerful tool applicable across a wide range of positions.

Positioning

The Cross Collar Choke is most effective in positions where you can stabilize your opponent and control their posture, making it a powerful and reliable submission across multiple scenarios.

Closed Guard

Setup

  • From Closed Guard, break the opponent’s posture and establish deep grips on their collar.

Execution

  • Use your legs to control their movement and pull their posture down as you tighten the choke.

Details

  • A strong first grip with the thumb-in or fingers-in ensures proper leverage.

Mount

Setup

  • From Mount, stabilize your position and establish a deep collar grip.

Execution

  • Apply pressure by pulling their collar and using your weight to press into the choke.

Details

Open Guard

Setup

  • From Open Guard, use your legs to manipulate the opponent’s posture and create space for grip establishment.

Execution

  • Establish a deep collar grip and use angles to set up the choke.

Details

Back Control

Setup

  • When you have back control with a gi, use the lapel to establish a deep cross-collar grip.

Execution

  • Pull their collar while maintaining control with your Hooks or body triangle.

Details

  • Adjust the angle of your grips to maximize pressure on their neck.

Technical Mount

Setup

Execution

  • Use the Cross Collar Choke to apply pressure while controlling their posture with your legs.

Details

  • Great when the opponent turns to their side to escape the mount.

Side Control

Setup

  • Establish one collar grip while maintaining control of their upper body.

Execution

  • Pull the collar tight and transition to Mount or North South for leverage to finish.

Details

  • Often used as part of a positional progression.

During a Scramble or Transition

Setup

  • If the opponent exposes their neck during a positional exchange, secure a deep collar grip.

Execution

  • Use their momentum or compromised posture to finish the choke.

Turtle Control

Setup

  • When the opponent is in Turtle Guard, use their lapel to establish a deep grip.

Execution

  • Pull their collar while controlling their posture or transitioning to Back Control.

Details

  • Works well as a counter when the opponent tries to defend their neck.

Key Positional Elements

Grip Depth

  • A deep first grip is crucial to applying the choke effectively.

Angles

  • Adjust your body to create the leverage needed to tighten the choke.

Pressure and Fundamentals/Base

  • Maintain stability while applying consistent pressure to avoid losing control.

Common Path to Cross Collar Choke:

  • Break the opponent’s posture or stabilize a dominant position.
  • Secure deep grips on the collar (thumb-in or fingers-in).
  • Pull and tighten the choke using your arms and body weight.

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