North South Choke

The North South Choke is a submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that targets the opponent's neck, applying pressure to the carotid arteries to create a blood choke. It is executed from the North South position, where the attacker’s body is perpendicular to the opponent’s and their head is near the opponent's hips. This choke is highly effective and typically used against an opponent attempting to defend from a dominant position.

Key Mechanics of the North South Choke

Positioning

  • Begin in the North South position with your chest and hips low to the mat.
  • Your body should be perpendicular to the opponent’s, with your head near their hips and their head near your chest.

Head and Neck Control

  • Wrap your arm around their neck, ensuring their head is trapped between your arm and chest.
  • Keep your grip tight to minimize space and maximize pressure on their neck.

Pressure Application

  • Use your body weight and shoulder to drive pressure into the opponent’s neck.
  • Adjust your angle by walking your hips closer to their head to tighten the choke.

Choke Mechanism

  • The choke compresses the opponent’s carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, cutting off blood flow and forcing a submission.

Steps to Execute the North South Choke

Secure the Position

  • Transition to North South by circling around the opponent from Side Control.
  • Maintain control of their head and shoulders to prevent escapes.

Trap the Neck

  • Wrap one arm deep under their neck, with your bicep and chest pressing against their throat.
  • Use the opposite arm to reinforce your grip by grabbing your own hand, using a Gable Grip or Butterfly Grip.

Adjust Your Angle

  • Walk your hips slightly closer to their head to create a tighter angle on their neck.
  • Keep your weight low and heavy, driving your shoulder into the side of their neck.

Finish the Choke

  • Gradually increase pressure by tightening your grip and sinking your weight into their neck.
  • Keep your head low and focus on maintaining control until they tap.

Key Details for Success

Stay Low

  • Maintain a heavy, low posture to prevent the opponent from creating space or escaping.

Angle Matters

  • Adjust your hips and chest to apply maximum pressure to the opponent’s carotid arteries.

Use Your Body Weight

  • Avoid relying solely on arm strength; instead, use your chest, shoulders, and hips to generate pressure.

Common Entries to the North South Choke

From Side Control

  • Transition to North South while maintaining head and neck control, then set up the choke.

From a Guard Pass

  • After passing the guard, immediately transition to North South and secure the choke before the opponent repositions.

During Scrambles

  • Capitalize on a loose position during a scramble to secure North South and trap the neck.

Advantages of the North South Choke

High Control

  • North South is a dominant position that limits the opponent’s mobility, making it harder for them to escape the choke.

Low Risk

  • The choke keeps you in a strong position even if the opponent defends, reducing the chance of counters.

Versatile Attack

  • The choke can be applied on opponents of various sizes and is effective even against skilled defenders.

Common Mistakes

Not Adjusting the Angle

  • If your hips are too far from their head, the choke will lack the necessary tightness to finish.

Lifting Your Hips

  • Keeping your hips low and weight heavy is critical to maintaining control and pressure.

Loose Grip

  • Failing to secure a tight grip around the neck allows the opponent to create space and escape.

The North South Choke is a powerful submission that exemplifies the principles of Pressure, Leverage, and Positional Hierarchy. It requires precision and control but can be a game-changer when mastered, making it an essential tool for grapplers at all levels.

Positioning

The North South Choke is most commonly executed from the North South position, but it can also be set up from transitions and other dominant positions where the opponent's head and neck are accessible. Here are the positions and scenarios where the North South Choke can be effectively executed:

Primary Position

North South

  • The choke is naturally set up from this position as it allows direct access to the opponent's neck while controlling their body.

Transitions Leading to North South Choke

From Side Control

  • Slide into North South by circling around the opponent’s head while maintaining upper body control. Once in position, trap the neck and apply the choke.

From a Guard Pass

From Knee on Belly

  • Transition to North South when the opponent bridges or turns to escape.

From Mount

  • If the opponent bridges and exposes their neck while escaping, transition to Side Control and then to North South.

Scramble Situations

During Opponent's Turtle Recovery

Countering an Escape

  • If the opponent tries to escape Side Control or North South by bridging or turning, follow their movement and secure the choke as they expose their neck.

Control-Based Positions

From Half Guard Top

From Turtle Control

  • If the opponent defends by tucking their head, force them flat to transition into North South.

Advantages of These Entries

Natural Transitions

  • Many dominant positions and transitions naturally lead to North South, making the choke a high-percentage option.

Control Opportunities

  • The choke can often be set up during positional advancement, making it difficult for the opponent to anticipate and counter.

The North South Choke is highly versatile, making it an effective submission from North South and its common setups. Mastering these transitions ensures smooth entries into the choke while maintaining dominant control throughout the sequence.

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