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Rear Naked Choke – BJJ Submission Explained

Just about everyone in the world knows what a rear naked choke is and how to halfway put one one. It is without a doubt the most known submission in the word and practiced in every type of grappling art. The rear naked choke or RNC is extremely simple to do and possibly the most […]

The rear naked choke or RNC is extremely simple to do and possibly the most effective submission in grappling. As Helio Gracie said, “For the choke, there are no tough guys. With an armlock he can defend, but with a choke he just passes out and goes to sleep.”

A rear naked choke may be the best technique in Jiu Jitsu and grappling, but it also has many details. It is very simple to do, but there are so many details grapplers forget to do to make it perfect.

Below is everything you need to know about the rear naked choke. Everything from its history, how it works, and a handful of RNC techniques detailed for you to improve your technique.

When was the rear naked choke invented?

The rear naked choke may be the oldest known submission in the world. Centuries before Judo and Jiu Jitsu were invented, there were numerous illustrations of the RNC from numerous cultures.

Art and sculptures of ancient wrestlers and gladiators administering a rear naked choke. Even images of men strangling lions, which is how it got its name in Portuguese, the mata leão(lion killer).

The name for the rear naked choke in Judo is the hadaka-jime and sleeper hold in wrestling. Its age isn’t known, but for thousands of years people knew you could kill someone by hugging their neck.

How does the RNC work?

A rear naked choke is a classic blood choke that cuts off blood to the brain. Within seconds your brain shuts off and you go to sleep if you don’t tap.

How it works is the hand that goes around the neck is the choke arm. The other is the top arm that locks the choke in.

The most common and best grip RNC is a hand on bicep grip. Gable and S grips are also used, but they are not as strong as the hand on bicep grip.

How to do the rear naked choke

For this section, we’re going to say you already have back control and are ready to lock in the RNC. There’s numerous ways to get back control, but the steps for the RNC are always the same.

You have back control with your hooks in and your seatbelt grip set. Make sure you are tight against your opponent like a backpack with no space.

The seatbelt grip is one hand under the armpit and the other over their shoulder. Your bottom hand covers your top hand to protect it when the opponent goes to defend.

What is just important as the choke is your hooks. Having your legs hooked around the opponent’s body tight to keep them in place for the choke.

Now for the steps to do the RNC. Fall to the side of your choke hand and start to get your grips. Slide your choke hand under the opponent’s chin and cup their shoulder to keep them from peeling it off.

The top hand slices behind their head as you grab your bicep. As you have your grips set, slowly squeeze using your whole body to get the submission.

RNC with an arm trap

If your opponent is good at defending an RNC, there is a technique you can do called an arm trap. It takes one of their arms away allowing you to attack them with 2 arms against their 1.

When you do an arm trap it will always be the top arm that you’re trapping. You can’t trap them with your bottom leg, because you have no space to trap their bottom arm.

From your seatbelt grip you grab the opponent’s top arm with your bottom arm.

Push it down to their stomach and as you do hook your leg over it to trap it against their body.

Make sure to dig your heel into the opponent’s stomach to secure the arm trap. With the arm secured, you can start to set in your rear naked choke.

RNC arm in variation

There is actually an RNC option with the opponent’s arm in. This choke is similar to how a variation of an ezekiel choke from back control works. It’s not a high percentage choke as the normal RNC, but it is an option.

From the seatbelt, you’re going to feed your top arm deep across the opponent’s body and under their armpit . Grab the bicep of your other arm and put your other arm behind their shoulder.

Rotate inward and squeeze to put on the pressure and get the submission.

One Arm Rear Naked Choke

When you get your arm around the opponent’s neck it should be 99% over. Even for some reason you can’t get your other arm up to lock it in, finishing with 1 arm is possible.

As you wrap your choke hand around their neck make sure to get it deep and grab around their shoulder.

In a normal RNC, you need to have your head on the side of the opponents to close space. Not only are you doing that here, but protecting your choke hand by covering it with your chin.

As you squeeze, press the side of your head against their cheek to the tap.

RNC grip setup variation

In Jiu Jitsu, there are innovations being made to every technique. Even a technique that seems perfect like the rear naked choke.

ADCC medalist just came up with a great method for setting your grip to finish an RNC. What he came up with is an answer for when the opponent keeps blocking you from locking in the choke.

The first thing Lachlan does is different from a normal RNC grip lock. After he cups the opponent’s shoulder with his choke hand, he puts his fist in his opponent’s neck.

By putting his in the side of the opponent’s neck it prevents them from being able to turn their head. They are stuck in place for you to set up your choke grip.

He brings his elbow over his choke hand. This gives you a lot of space to grab your bicep without the opponent being able to defend the choke. Slide your hand behind their neck and finish your RNC.

Tips for doing the Rear Naked Choke

The rear naked choke is simple to do, but there’s many small details to remember to do it perfectly. Remember these details below, so you can lock on a perfect RNC.

Slide Your Hand Under The Chin: To lock on the RNC properly you have to slide your arm under the opponent’s chin. Your arm has to be under their chin or it isn’t a choke.
Hide Your Top Hand: The opponent can’t be able to see your top hand when you cinch it in or they’ll definitely defend it. Your hand has to slide behind their head with the back of your hand on their head.
Turn To The Choke Hand Side: The proper method of doing an RNC is turning the opponent to the side of your choke arm. This because this gives the opponent less space to be able to escape. You can finish the choke on the other side, but the choke arm side is better.
No Space: You have to be on your opponent like a backpack. Staying tight on your opponent and not giving up extra space is key to a good RNC.
Seatbelt Grip: The best way to hold back control is using a seatbelt grip. Two arms around their body with one arm under their armpit, and top arm across their chest.
Cover Your Choke Hand: With your seatbelt grip make sure to cover your top hand with your bottom hand. The top hand is your choke hand, so be sure to protect it.
Remember Your Hooks: Your hooks are just as important as the choke when doing the RNC. Hooking your legs around your opponent’s body keeps them in place and harder to get away.
Don’t Cross Your Ankles: When you have back control, the most important rule you learn is never cross your ankles. If you cross your ankles, the opponent can lock on a nasty ankle lock forcing you to tap.
Cup Their Shoulder: Cupping the opponent’s shoulder blade with your choke hand makes it harder for the opponent to peel it off. Your choke hand will stay in place for you to lock it in.
Squeeze With Your Body: Don’t just use your arms to squeeze. When you go for the finish, squeeze them with your whole body and you will definitely finish them.

Peruvian Necktie: BJJ Submission Explained

When a submission with a name as nasty sounding as the Peruvian Necktie, you know it’s a good one. It was created in the late 90s and since then grapplers have been revolutionizing it. The Peruvian Necktie is one submission you need to add to your arsenal if you like getting front headlocks. It provides […]

When a submission with a name as nasty sounding as the Peruvian Necktie, you know it’s a good one. It was created in the late 90s and since then grapplers have been revolutionizing it.

The Peruvian Necktie is one submission you need to add to your arsenal if you like getting front headlocks. It provides solid control and once you lock it in, the roll is just about over.

Below we’re going to tell you everything about the Peruvian Necktie. Everything from who created it, how it works, and how to do the submission, and its variations.

When was the Peruvian Necktie invented?

The Peruvian Necktie was developed during the late 90s, early 2000s by UFC veteran Tony De Souza. Tony was working with former head of Nova Uniao, André Pederneiras at Nova Uniao HQ practicing techniques.

De Souza was a great wrestler and at competitions would routinely grab headlocks on opponents and finish with chokes. There was one he and Pederneiras were working on that Tony would routinely go for. It was a type of choke, where Tony would get head and arm control that was extremely powerful.

After practicing the movement, they perfected it and Pederneiras named it the Peruvian Necktie. It got this name, because Tony is Peruvian and your hands around the opponent look like a necktie. So… Peruvian Necktie.

How does the Peruvian Necktie work?

This choke works similar to an arm in guillotine with a few subtle differences. One of the biggest is the movement to do the choke.

You can have similar grips, but with a Peruvian you straighten and extend your arms to lock it in. With a guillotine, you just take a grip on their neck, fall back and bring your arms.

It’s called a necktie because when you lock it in, your arms extend and it looks similar to a necktie. This motion of extending and straightening your arms closes the space between them and the opponent’s neck,

After you do this, you sit back at a slight angle towards your grip to lock in the pressure.

How to do the Peruvian Necktie?

The set up for the Peruvian Necktie primarily begins from head control. You can get to this position by dragging the opponent down to the ground or sprawling on their takedown attempt.

For your grip you can either go with a Gable grip, hand on wrist, or a 5 finger grip. One arm is under the opponent’s neck with the other coming from under their armpit. The arm that goes under their armpit goes on top of your choke hand.

After getting your grips, you have to stand up and crouch over the opponent to set up the choke. It is very important to have your chest pressing against their torso in this position. It holds them in place before you drop back for the choke.

Before falling back sit up a little and straighten your arms to close space around their neck. Sit straight back at a slight angle towards your grip.

You have two different options where you can put the leg near your grips. It can either go over the opponent’s back or hook behind their leg.

Either option works and the choke will be tight and come on quick.

Peruvian Necktie variation No-Gi

If you like watching old fights, UFC vet CB Dolloway did this variation of a Peruvian Necktie years ago. This variation is done from the side of the opponent in turtle position rather than from a front headlock.

You start by shooting your inside arm under the opponent’s armpit with your hand coming out by their neck. Much similar to how you would set up a darce choke.

Clasp your hands together with a palm on palm grip, then sit up and step over their head. Then just hook your leg around the opponent’s leg or over their back and you have your Peruvian variation.

Gerbi Choke(Judo Peruvian Necktie)

In Judo, a type of Gi choke was invented that is exactly like a Peruvian Necktie. But it involves you pulling out your lapel.

During a Judo competition it is very common for a competitor to fall to turtle position to defend a throw. Since the time to stay on the ground in Judo is limited, they usually just wait until they’re stood up. Many judokas don’t work submission defense, so they leave themselves wide open to be submitted.

This is how the Gerbi choke was developed. When the opponent does this, you immediately drop your chest on their back and pull out your lapel.

Pass the lapel under the opponent’s neck to your other hand that loops under the far armpit. When you pass the lapel, pull it to remove the slack to make the choke as tight as possible.

The steps to finish are very similar to a normal Peruvian, but this Gi grips. You stand up over the opponent and sit back at a slight angle towards your lapel grip. It is also very important to sit close to the opponent’s head to avoid giving them space.

Have your leg heavy on the opponent’s head to keep them from moving. Your other hand grabs the opponent’s belt and you turn your elbow in to make the grip tight. At the same time you do this, you turn at an angle and bring your leg over their back.

It is a ridiculously tight choke and puts many judokas to sleep.

Peruvian Necktie Gi Variation #2

The second Peruvian variation with the Gi doesn’t involve you taking out your lapel. You start out on the side of your opponent with them in turtle. Make sure to have your chest pressed on their back with your weight down to keep them in place.

Take your hand that’s closest to their neck and grab a semi deep grip on the opponent’s far collar. With your other hand, you can either be holding their hips or their belt like with a clock choke.

The good thing about this technique is the collar grip is all you need, You won’t need to grip your hands together for this one.

With your collar grip set, you stand up and step over the opponent just like a normal Peruvian. But the difference being you’re going to forward roll instead of falling back.

Do a forward roll to tighten the choke up. To keep them from being able to defend, you can take your free hand and hook under the opponent’s arm.

Japanese Necktie

A very similar choke that is related to the Peruvian Necktie is the Japanese Necktie. This choke was developed from top half guard or top side control.

It’s similar to a darce set up, but was made when people started countering the darce by lifting their head. So you just clasp your hands together and bend their head inward.

Keep your elbow in and either hook the opponent’s top or bottom leg to keep them in place. The finishing sequence is similar to a darce or anaconda.

Dive your outside shoulder to the mat, bring your chest on their neck, the cross your legs, and finish.

Tips for the Peruvian Necktie

If you want to be successful at doing the Peruvian Necktie remember all of these tips below.

Head Control: For this submission to work, you have to have proper control of your opponent’s head. Two hands under their chin locked together with your chest on top of their head is the optimal control.
Stand/Crouch: After you establish your grips, the next step is to stand up and crouch over your opponent. This step is very important because this is where you straighten your arms out before falling back.
Sit Straight Back: To get a traditional Peruvian Necktie, you have to sit straight back at a slight angle after locking it in. If you sit off to the side it won’t lock enough pressure around the opponent’s neck to submit them. You’ll just have a bad arm in guillotine.
Sit Towards Your Grips: When you sit back, you have to do it at an angle towards your grip. If you fall to the opposite side, there’s no submission and you’ll probably get stack passed.
Hips Over Their Head: When you step up before falling back make sure your hips are over the opponent’s head.
Chest on Their Torso: To go along with having your hips over the opponent’s head, you must also have your chest on their torso. Doing this holds them in place for you to set your grip before falling back.
No Slack On The Lapel: When you go for the Gi variations of the Peruvian make sure there’s no slack of the lapel. If the lapel you’re holding isn’t tight, then you probably aren’t getting the submission.
Hook The Leg: This tip is specifically for the Japanese Necktie. This submission requires you to hook the opponent’s looks to hold them in place and keep them from defending.

Ezekiel Choke: BJJ Technique Explained

With UFC fighter Aleksei Oleinik going on a ridiculous streak of submitting opponents with an ezekiel choke it’s popular again. Thanks to Oleinik more people than ever are wanting to add the Ezekiel choke to their Jiu Jitsu games. The ezekiel choke is a powerful choke that can put your opponent to sleep in less […]

The ezekiel choke is a powerful choke that can put your opponent to sleep in less than a second. It is usually considered a Gi move, but can be done No-Gi as we saw Oleinik do multiple times.

Let’s take a moment and tell you everything about the ezekiel choke. We’ll detail everything from how it was invented, how it works, and breakdown various ezekiel choke techniques.

When was the ezekiel choke invented?

Just like most of the techniques in Jiu Jitsu, the ezekiel choke was first invented in Judo. It’s original name is the sode-guruma jime.

The name ezekiel choke wasn’t used by Jiu Jitsu practitioners until 1988. A famous Brazilian Judoka named Ezequiel Paraguassú wanted to tighten up his ground game before the Seoul Olympics.

So he began his preparation for the Olympics at Carlson Gracie’s Jiu Jitsu Academy. He would routinely use the sode-guruma jime in training.

Paraguassú was such an expert at this submission, the Jiu Jitsu practitioners referring to the move as the Ezequiel. The name was given out of respect and homage for the Judoka and the name stuck. Now all Jiu Jitsu practitioners refer to the submission as the ezekiel choke.

How does the ezekiel choke work?

There’s different types of Ezekiel chokes either involving the Gi and No-Gi. The feeling of each type is sort of similar to putting your opponent’s neck in a vice.

This choke gets tighter and tighter compressing the opponent’s neck until they tap or go to sleep.

It’s supposed to be more of a blood choke, but they can also be partially air chokes. Especially when you lock on an ezekiel choke from the front of your opponent.

Basic Ezekiel From Mount

Probably the most common place to set up an ezekiel choke is from the mount. When you’re on top from mount and your opponent is hugging you, they’re basically giving your set up. Either way if they don’t do this, the steps for the mounted ezekiel choke are the same.

Slide one of your hands behind the opponent’s neck. While you’re doing this keep your head on the mat next to theirs. Make sure to also have your free hand based on the mat to defend if the opponent tries to reverse you.

Next bring your free hand next to the hand under their neck to grab the sleeve of your free hand. The proper grip you need to use for the choke to work is inside the sleeve.

Once you grab the sleeve, turn your arm and slide it under the opponent’s chin across their neck. To lock in the pressure scissor your arms together to close the space and force them to tap.

You will also need to pull your arm across their neck using them sleeve grip, while taking a slight angle.

Ezekiel choke from guard

To do an ezekiel choke from closed guard, you’ll first need to take a collar grip. Get it deep, but not too deep like you’re going for an x choke.

Next step is you sit up and reach around your opponent’s neck and grab your opposite sleeve. For this technique, you grab your sleeve on the outside and pull it outward.

When you come back down, you finish the choke by bringing your elbow inward to close space around their neck. It creates a lot of pressure and they only have moments to tap.

Ezekiel choke from inside guard

The ezekiel choke is one of the very few submissions you can pull off when you’re inside an opponent’s guard. If your opponent has a tough guard, you can do this either to attempt to submit them or open their guard.

When you’re in guard, you set it up by letting the opponent get underhooks. You could also leap forward and put to get your arms next to their head.

Once you do this, the steps are basically the same as a mounted ezekiel choke. Hook an arm behind their head, grab your sleeve, and sit up to lock in the choke.

Ezekiel from back mount #1

The first ezekiel choke we’ll detail is really simple to pull off. It is basically the same movements as an rear-naked choke, but it involves having a sleeve grip.

First step is to get your arm under their chin and cup the shoulder blade with your hand. In No-Gi, this is how you would set up an RNC, but in Gi you have the option of doing an ezekiel.

Grab the sleeve of your free hand and slide your hand behind their neck to finish. It also doesn’t matter if the opponent is blocking their neck with their hand. The choke is strong and will work just the same if they’re protecting their neck.

Ezekiel from back mount #2

This ezekiel choke variation from the back is when you have a seat belt grip and can’t grab the collar. The opponent is blocking you from getting the grip, so this opens up this ezekiel choke variation.

From the seat belt grip, slide your bottom arm under the opponent’s arm further. Then connect your hands with a Gable grip, take your hook out, and pull them to their side.

Now you scoot up a little further to put more pressure on their neck and set up your sleeve grip. Either a 3 or 4 finger grip will do from here, so do whichever you prefer.

After you take your grip, slide your hand behind their neck. For the last step bring your knee towards their head, sit down and finish the choke.

No-Gi ezekiel choke from mount/half guard

This No-Gi ezekiel choke technique works the same way whether you have mount or in top half guard.

The first step is to swim your arm behind the opponent’s head and get in deep. Do it with force so that you make them start turning their head.

Next step is you put your head next to your opponent’s. You’re going to push on the side of their head with yours to move their head. This is to make space for your top arm.

To get your top arm in, raise your head up, slide it in, and clamp your arms together. Bring your head back down and start sinking in the pressure.

The Oleinik Ezekiel

We couldn’t do an article on ezekiel chokes and not cover Aleksei Oleinik’s ezekiel chokes. It is highly unlikely you’ll get this choke when you’re mounted, but his set up from standing is solid.

When he fought Anthony Hamilton, Oleinik let Hamilton get double underhooks from standing. This opened the opportunity for him to get the ezekiel choke grip around his neck.

Oleinik then allowed himself to be taken down just so he could lock in the choke and finish it.

Tips for doing the ezekiel choke

If you want to have good success at locking in the ezekiel choke remember all of these tips below.

Head Control: No matter which type of ezekiel choke you’re going for this remember to have head control. This move begins and ends with having head control, so if you don’t have it there is no choke.
4 Finger Sleeve Grip: When you go the ezekiel choke in gi remember to use a 4 finger grip inside the sleeve. This is the proper grip that you’ll need to pull off the sub.
Slide Hand Under The Chin: This is tip is extremely important for every type of ezekiel choke. You have to slide your hand under the opponent’s chin. If you try to chop down where they can see your hand, they’re definitely going to defend it.
Pull Your Arm: To set in the Gi ezekiel choke, you have to pull your top arm across using your sleeve grip. This movement closes the small space between their neck and your arms allowing you to set in the choke.
Make An Angle: Once you set in the choke, you need to make a slight angle to get optimal pressure. This tip goes for every type of ezekiel choke.
Break Their Posture: When you go for the ezekiel from a bottom position, you must break the opponent’s posture. You have to bring their head down towards your body to get the choke. It is near impossible to get an ezekiel choke if the opponent is postured up.
Base Out: If you’re attempting an ezekiel from mount remember to base out with your head and free hand. This will help prevent your opponent from reversing you.

Kimura: BJJ Technique Explained

If you were forced to choose only one submission when grappling, the kimura may be the best one. The kimura may be the most diverse submission in all of Jiu Jitsu. You can land it from almost anywhere from nearly any position and it is incredibly powerful. Even just being able to get a kimura […]

If you were forced to choose only one submission when grappling, the kimura may be the best one. The kimura may be the most diverse submission in all of Jiu Jitsu.

You can land it from almost anywhere from nearly any position and it is incredibly powerful. Even just being able to get a kimura grip can work to your advantage.

Taking a kimura grip can even allow you to hit sweeps and hit takedowns. This is why grapplers have built entire games around this sub including the effective kimura trap system.

It is a phenomenal submission and we’re going to tell you everything about the kimura. Detailing its history, how it works, and a few of the various techniques involving this submission.

When was the kimura invented?

Before Jiu Jitsu was ever invented, the kimura was used within submission wrestling systems like catch as catch can. Within these submission wrestling systems, they referred to this submission as a double wrist lock.

Judo also used this submission and called it the ude-garami. In BJJ, the move wasn’t used or popularized until after the famous bout between Masahiko Kimura and Hélio Gracie.

When Kimura was visiting Brazil, he was challenged to a grappling match by Hélio. After the two agreed to terms, they had the match in front of thousands of people.

Kimura dominated the smaller Gracie in the match and ended by locking in the ude-garami. Gracie refused to tap and got his arm broken twice.

As an homage and respect to Kimura, Jiu Jitsu practitioners started referring to the move as the kimura.

How does the kimura work?

The mechanics of how the kimura work are actually very simple. It is a basic lever system, where immense pressure is put on the opponent’s shoulder and elbow joint.

Grabbing hold of the opponent’s wrist, while connecting your wrists together forcing their arm behind their back. Once the kimura gets locked in, the opponent only has moments to tap or get their arm broken.

Basic kimura from guard

You first learn how to do the kimura as a beginner within your first few Jiu Jitsu lessons. Generally the kimura from guard being the most basic and simple variation.

You start by placing the opponent’s hand on the mat to make the opening for the sub. First you grab the opponent’s wrist close to their hand.

It’s fine to use a normal grip, but the strongest grip to use is probably a 5 finger grip. But as a beginner don’t worry too much about grips and just focus on the movements.

Then you do a side ab crunch and sit up towards the arm you’re controlling. Loop your free hand over the opponent’s shoulder and go through their arm to lock your hands together.

Now for the finish push the opponent’s arm behind their back as you fall to your back. Be sure to scoot your hips out a little to give yourself more space to crank the arm.

Kimura from side control

A kimura from side control is a classic go to submission for many grapplers. First you want to be mindful of weight placement. Keep your weight centered on top of your opponent, so not to worry about getting swept.

After you make sure your weight is centered take wrist control on the opponent’s far arm. Then take your under that arm and grab your wrist connecting your hands together.

For the steps to finish, you have two options. The first option is to pull the opponent onto their side and put their arm behind their back.

But sometimes for tough opponents that won’t work. So you may need to pull them up and step over their head for better control over them. To finish, bring their elbow to your chest and then crank their arm toward their back.

Near side arm kimura from side control

A different variation of a kimura from side control involves attacking their arm closest to you. It can open up if they turn away and expose their arm.

When they do this quickly take your kimura grip. From here you have a variety of different options. You can either take the kimura in a few different ways and even take their back or grab an armbar.

Kimura From Mount

It isn’t the most used submission from mount, but you can definitely hit a kimura when you have mount.

Take a kimura grip on the arm you want to attack and drop your head on the same side. It’s kind of hard to get the angle to finish the kimura from here, so you’ll probably need to roll. Bring your far leg over the opponent’s head and do a front roll to your back and get the finish.

Kimura from standing

There’s a great kimura technique from standing when the opponent has back control made famous by the legendary Kazushi Sakuraba.

When the opponent is hugging your back from standing, you have to attack the top arm and get kimura control. Be sure to drop your weight down or you risk your opponent suplexing you.

After you break your opponent’s grip, turn into them and do a back roll, while keeping the kimura grip. You’ll end up on top in side control, so it’ll be your choice for how you want ro finish it.

The power kimura

When you’re going against a really strong opponent, there is another grip you can go to that’s really powerful. Some call this the power kimura.

The power kimura is basically a rear naked choke grip on the opponent’s arm. How you do it is slide your grip hand to the opponent’s elbow and grab your bicep with the other.

This move is best used when you’re in side control and isolated one of the opponent’s arms.

Half Guard Kimura Trap Series

There have been numerous systems built around the kimura and one of the most popular is the kimura trap. Here are two kimura trap techniques from half guard.

The first is the sweep from half guard. When you have a knee shield from half guard take a kimura grip and press it towards the opponent’s hip. Then you bait them to pass by taking your knee shield away.

All you do is push their arm into their hip, rotate, and sweep them over on their back. Very simple.

Next is if they don’t take the bait to pass. When they don’t pass, swing your legs to north/south. Use that momentum to place your foot on the opponent’s hip. This gives you a perfect angle to take a kimura.

Tips for doing the kimura

The kimura is very simple to do, but there are some small details you need to remember. If one of these details is missing it could lead to you losing the sub, so remember these tips.

Side Ab Crunch: As you sit up to lock your hands together be sure to remember to do a side crunch. Sitting straight up limits your space to do the move and may impede you from locking your hands together. Doing a side crunch will give you the space you need to lock your hands and get the kimura.
Arm Over The Shoulder: It is very important to loop your arm over the opponent’s shoulder. For the kimura to work successfully, you need to have control of the opponent’s wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
Scoot Your Hips Out: After you get your kimura grip and are falling back be sure to scoot your hips out. This will ensure you have enough space and get angle to get a good torque on their arm.
Grab Near The Opponent’s Hand: As you go to get your grips make sure you grab the opponent’s wrist closer toward their hand. If you try grabbing closer to their forearm, you don’t have much control and are less likely to get the kimura.
Don’t Lean Too Far Over: When you’re going for a kimura from side control make sure you don’t lean your weight too far forward. The opponent could easily sweep you, so try to stay on the centerline.
Bring Their Arm Into You: Before you put the opponent’s arm behind their back, you have to bring their arm to your chest. This will ensure the kimura is tight and you have good control over the arm.
Attack The Top Arm: When the opponent has your back and you go for the Sakuraba style rolling kimura grab the top arm. You always attack the top arm when doing this move or it won’t work.
Use Your Whole Body: A kimura is not just using 2 arms against 1. Use your whole body to attack their arm and you’ll be way more successful getting the sub.

Triangle Choke: Everything Explained

When you first begin your training in Jiu Jitsu, there are a group of basic submissions you always learn first. One of the most efficient and diverse submissions of the group is the triangle choke. The triangle choke out of all of the basic submissions may be the best out of the bunch. This is […]

When you first begin your training in Jiu Jitsu, there are a group of basic submissions you always learn first. One of the most efficient and diverse submissions of the group is the triangle choke.

The triangle choke out of all of the basic submissions may be the best out of the bunch. This is because there are so many different ways to hit a triangle choke, which makes it difficult to defend. Many high level Jiu Jitsu athletes have based their entire games around getting a triangle choke for this reason.

If you wanted to know everything about the triangle choke this is the article for you. We’re going to cover everything from it’s history, the mechanics behind the sub, and details various triangle choke techniques.

Whether you’re a Jiu Jitsu beginner or a seasoned grappler, you can learn something from this article.

When was the triangle choke invented?

Like many of the techniques in BJJ, the triangle choke originated within Judo. The name for a triangle choke in Judo is “sankaku-jime” that roughly translates to figure 4 choke.

When early Jiu Jitsu practitioners were developing the martial art, they acknowledged the effectiveness of this technique. So naturally like many of the moves they adopted it, they innovated and perfected it.

How does the triangle choke work?

While many know how to perform a triangle fewer know the actual mechanics of how the submission works. The science behind the functionality of the choke is very cool and interesting.

The first thing you need to know is that the triangle choke is what you call a “blood choke.” Meaning that it puts pressure on the carotid arteries of your neck blocking blood flow to the brain.

How it works is you need your legs wrapped out your opponent’s neck with one arm stuck between them. Your top leg puts pressure on one side of their neck, while you push their own arm into the other. Subsequently using their own arm to strangle them.

The shape you have your legs around the opponent’s neck looks exactly like a triangle. Which is why it was given the name triangle choke.

Basic Triangle Choke

The basic triangle choke from guard is pretty straightforward. First you have to control their arms. Grab an overhook on one arm and either have wrist control on the other or cup around their bicep.

For the next step, you have to do a small hip escape and get on your side. You’ll never land a triangle choke laying flat on your back.

With you controlling one of their arms with an overhook, you have to bypass their other arm. Push it away as you bring your leg in while lifting your hips and placing your leg on their neck. Be sure to place it down with force to break their posture or you’ll be less likely to get it.

Then grab your ankle to keep their head down and angle slightly to the side to get maximum pressure.

Now for the last few steps. Lock it up by placing your knee over your ankle, squeeze your knees together to apply pressure. If they’re tough, you can apply extra pressure by pulling their head down or hooking their leg or arm.

Triangle From Spider Guard

Spider guard offers a lot of different entries into the triangle choke. Here are the details for an easy setup from spider guard.

You have a normal spider guard with sleeve grips and your feet on the opponent’s biceps. Choose a side to shoot your leg past their arm by pulling the sleeve and doing a push kick motion.

Now take that leg and place it down with force on their back to break their posture. With them in place for the triangle shoot your other leg on top of their neck with force. Then cut an angle and lock it up.

Triangle From Lasso Guard

Lasso guard also has quite a few great techniques for landing a triangle choke. Here is one basic one for you to try.

Grab your lasso grip by holding the opponent’s sleeve and loop your foot inside their arm behind their tricep. You’ll be controlling their other arm with a classic spider guard grip on their bicep.

Kick the spider guard grip off their arm and place it with force on their neck. Then all you need to do is kick through on your lasso guard grip and take the triangle.

Triangle Choke From De La Riva Guard

Here is a good option to get a triangle if you like using the De La Riva Guard. Take your

De La Riva hook behind the opponent’s leg with a near collar grip. You’ll be controlling their other arm with a classic spider guard control.

Break their posture with the collar grip, while holding them in place with your DLR and spider grips.

Kick your foot off their bicep and place it down on their neck. At the same time you break their posture down with the collar grip.

For the finish take your De La Riva hook off the opponent’s leg and lock up your triangle.

Triangle Choke Off Scissor Sweep

If an opponent starts to get savvy to your scissor sweep and keeps blocking it, you have a triangle available.

When they sit their weight down to defend the sweep, they leave themselves open for a triangle. Take your knee shield off their chest and use it to pin the opponent’s arm to their body.

Then just simply rotate your leg and place it down on their neck and lock up the choke.

Triangle Off Hip Bump Sweep

Scissor sweep isn’t the only sweep you can get a triangle off of. You can also get one off a defended hip bump sweep.

Either you tried the hip bump and failed or feel their base is too good to land the sweep. Hook the opponent’s head and lift your hips up like you’re going for the sweep.

But this is just a fake, when in reality you’re going to climb up the opponent’s back. Just pass their arms, pull their head down, and lock in your triangle.

Triangle From Mount

While it isn’t usually the go to submission from mount. There are a couple different options available for a triangle from mount.

If the opponent hooks under your leg you can easily land a triangle. But if you want to set it up. There’s a few more steps.

When the opponent is protecting their neck take wrist control on both arms. Pull one down as you pull their neck up and loop your leg under.

For the finish it is up to you if you want to lock it in from mount or roll to your back and finish the sub.

Tips for doing the triangle choke

While the triangle choke is pretty simple, there are still small details you need to remember. Forgetting one of these details could result in you losing the choke.

Top Leg Heavy: When you put your top leg on the back of the opponents neck make sure to do it with force. If your top leg isn’t heavy, the opponent can easily defend.
Hips Off The Ground: You have to get your hips off the ground when you go for the triangle choke. The choke is really difficult to pull off if you don’t do this detail.
Arm Between The Legs: Don’t forget to have one of the opponent’s arms between your legs. It won’t work without their arm between your legs.
Knee Over Ankle: Make sure when locking the triangle choke up to lock your knee over your ankle. This will ensure it is locked in and avoid locking over your foot to avoid injuring it from the pressure.
Cross Your Legs Next To Their Arm: A mistake a lot of beginners do is crossing their legs on the wrong side. Remember to cross your legs on the same side of the arm you have between your legs.
Cut Angle: You need to cut an angle to the opposite side of the trapped arm to apply sufficient pressure. Staying on the center line with your opponent may not be enough pressure to submit them.
Bring Knees Together: After you get the triangle locked in bring your knees together to put on the pressure and get the tap.
Pull Their Arm Over: Don’t forget to pull the opponent’s arm across your body, If you don’t control that arm and pull it across, they have a better chance at defending the choke.
Methods To Finish: If your opponent is tough, you’re going to need to do a little extra to finish them. Either pull their head down, hook their arm/leg, or put your fist in their throat if you’re mean.

The Top 10 Best Jiu Jitsu Schools

With Jiu Jitsu continuing to explode in popularity it has become even more easy to find a place to train. No matter where you are in the world or what city, there is probably a BJJ school to train at. But among these schools, there are a special few that stand out from the rest. […]

But among these schools, there are a special few that stand out from the rest. These academies are where the world’ best Jiu Jitsu athletes train.

Here are our choices for the top 10 best Jiu JItsu schools in the world. Be sure to remember this list whenever you travel. You don’t want to miss your chance of having the opportunity of training alongside the best in the world.

#10 Six Blades BJJ Austin, TX

After a two year layoff from competition, multiple time world champion Xande Ribeiro returned with a huge announcement. With his return to competition, Xande announced he would be opening his very own academy and affiliation. Six Blades BJJ in Austin, Texas.

It seems odd to start a top 10 best BJJ schools list with a brand new gym. Although if you know anything about Xande Ribeiro no one will argue with us about this pick.

Xande has been one of the best BJJ athletes and coaches of the last 20 years. He and his brother Saulo built the phenomenal affiliation Ribeiro BJJ and now Xande is looking to create another team.

This team led by Xande already has the potential to be among the world’s best schools. You won’t want to miss a great opportunity to train under a world champion.

You can find out more about Six Blades here : https://sixbladesbjj.com/

#9 Checkmat BJJ HQ Long Beach, CA

Checkmat BJJ under the leadership of Ricardo and Leo Vieira have become quite the powerhouse since its creation in 2008. After being highly decorated competitors, the Vieira brothers opened their own affiliation to share their BJJ with the world.

These brothers are highly respected instructors that have innovated Jiu Jitsu with their phenomenal style and technique. Their method has been proven very effective and Checkmat rarely goes a year without a student becoming world champion.

Among their students are some of the best BJJ athletes in the world. Including Lucas Leite, Michelle Nicolini , Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida. Nicolini and Almeida are even considered by many the best athletes ever in their divisions.

This Jiu Jitsu school is definitely worth checking out if you find yourself in Long Beach, CA.

https://checkmatbjj.com

#8 Roger Gracie Academy London, England

Since retiring from competition, Roger Gracie now makes his home in London, England and opened his very own BJJ school. Roger Gracie Academy.

Gracie is one of the best and most respected grapplers ever. He dominated the sport Jiu Jitsu scene for over a decade. Winning multiple world champions in almost every year that he competed, except for one.

His style is old school classic Jiu Jitsu that focuses on basic techniques and heavy pressure. Roger believes old school is the best school and he has proven it many times in competition.

Since retiring, he has also become a great instructor and you should definitely train with him whenever you’re in London. https://rogergracie.com

#7 GFTeam Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In the city where BJJ was born lies some of the toughest academies in the world. Easily one of the toughest in the world being GFTeam.

Led by Juilo Cesar Pereira, GFTeam has produced some of the best grapplers in the world. Champions like Rodolfo Vieira and Ricardo Evangelista grinded for years in the scorching heat of Rio de Janeiro.

The main GFTeam BJJ school is located in the barra of Meier, which is where training camp for Worlds takes place. But honestly, you can find world class training at any of the affiliate schools within the city.

There can be over 50 people on the mat at a 10am class at an affiliate like GFTeam Merck. Full of world class grapplers that live and breathe Jiu Jitsu. https://www.facebook.com/gfteamoficial/

#6 Gracie University Torrance, CA

Now this pick at number 6 is more for historical purposes than being one of the best Jiu Jitsu schools. With Gracie Jiu Jitsu opening up shop in Torrance, CA, BJJ may not have exploded like it did.

As practitioners of Jiu Jitsu, we have to give credit and respect to the Gracie family for spreading BJJ. The Gracie school in Torrance was one of the very first Jiu Jitsu schools in the US. Founded by Rorion Gracie, they arguably started the first Jiu Jitsu boom in popularity outside of Brazil.

Today the school is run by Rener and Ryron Gracie and they are still teaching classic Gracie Jiu Jitsu. During a trip to LA, you should definitely consider taking a trip to Gracie HQ in Torrance and pay respects. https://www.gracieuniversity.com/

#5 Tristar Gym Montreal, Quebec(Canada)

Up in the great white north of Canada lies one of the best MMA/BJJ schools in the world. Head coach Firas Zahabi is a mastermind and one of the most respected minds in martial arts.

He is most known coaching elite MMA fighters like Georges St Pierre and Rory MacDonald. But he is also without a doubt one of the best Jiu Jitsu coaches in the world.

Zahabi is a blackbelt under John Danaher and thousands of fighters and grapplers travel to Tristar to train with him. Going to Montreal to train with Firas would do wonders for your BJJ game and how you approach the art. https://www.tristargym.com/

#4 Marcelo Garcia Jiu Jitsu New York, NY

Marcelo Garcia is considered by many to be the GOAT in Jiu Jitsu. How he beat athletes double or triple his size with seemingly effortless technique was amazing to watch.

Now since retiring from competition, he opened up his very own Jiu Jitsu school in the heart of NYC. Once he first opened his doors, Marcelo was swarmed with students wanting to train under. He now has thousands of students training under him and thousands of others that travel there every year.

People that go there glow about the positive atmosphere that Marcelo created. Not only is he considered a Jiu Jitsu GOAT, but Garcia is also considered the nicest person in BJJ

At Marcelo Gracie Jiu Jitsu, you’re going to get world class Jiu Jitsu in the fantastic atmosphere. You can’t ask for much more than that. https://marcelogarciajj.com/mgjj/

#3 Gracie Barra TX Houston, Texas

In the southern suburb of Houston, Texas lies Gracie Barra Texas. GB Texas is run by Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes. Draculino has over 4 decades in Jiu Jitsu and created a powerhouse of a gym in Houston.

Under the coaching of Draculino, he has promoted over 100 students to black belts. Many of which have won major championships in BJJ. Magalhães is one of the most decorated coaches in BJJ with numerous world championship athletes who train under him.

If you ever make the trip to his school in Houston his classes are packed with students. Also on any given day you could be training with multiple world champions. Professor Draculino is one of the most respected instructors in the world and you can learn so much from him. https://graciebarratx.com/

#2 Atos Jiu Jitsu HQ San Diego, California

Number two on our list is none other than Andre Galvao’s Atos Jiu Jitsu school in San Diego, California. Galvao himself is one of the greatest competitors of all time and becoming one of the world’s best coaches.

San Diego is a city full of world class Jiu Jitsu, but Atos arguably stands as the city’s best. Not only the city, but is arguably the best Jiu Jitsu school in the world.

There are literally too many world champions to name that have come out of Atos in the last decade. They have made their mark as one of the strongest schools in the world and for many years to come. https://atosbjjonline.com/

#1 Renzo Gracie Academy New York, New York

Coming in at #1 on our top 10 best Jiu Jitsu schools in the world list is Renzo Gracie Academy. Renzo has one of the most storied careers in BJJ and MMA. But arguably the greatest thing he has ever done was open his very own Jiu Jitsu school.

Countless world champions in BJJ and MMA have trained under Renzo. From Matt Serra, Ricardo Almeida, Georges St Pierre, and John Danaher.

Renzo’s school is so packed with world class instructors and talent that there are different fight teams within the school. Which brings us to one of the reasons why we gave Renzo the top spot. The Danaher Death Squad.

In the basement of Renzo’s is where the Danaher Death Squad trains led by mastermind John Danaher. Under the leadership of Danaher, DDS have become the best squad of Jiu Jitsu athletes in the world. Including reigning ADCC double champ Gordon Ryan considered by many the current best in the world.

Being loaded with so much talent, Renzo’s academy in NYC was the clear choice for the world’s best BJJ school. https://renzogracieacademy.com/

Check out this video of Firas Zahabi talking about the best jiu jitsu schools in the world