In Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the ultimate form of victory is achieved by winning through submission. This means that we can use dozens of submissions, all of which are divided into two main categories: joint locks and choke holds. A joint lock involves damaging a joint by rotating or hyperextending it, whereas a choke hold involves rendering your opponent unconscious by cutting off the blood or air flow to their brain. It is worth noting that the use of chokes is not exclusive to Brazilian jiu-jitsu; it is also common in other martial arts, such as MMA and judo. With that said, in this article, we will be focusing specifically on some of the most popular jiu-jitsu choke holds and exploring how to use them safely.
Blood vs. Air Chokes in BJJ
Choke holds are a key component of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and are typically divided into two primary categories: blood chokes and air chokes. In blood chokes, the circulation of blood to the brain is restricted or disrupted, resulting in unconsciousness. This is achieved by compressing one or both of the carotid arteries and the jugular veins. It is worth noting that blood chokes can also rarely cause unconsciousness by compressing only one side of the neck. A well-applied blood choke can lead to unconsciousness in as little as 10–20 seconds. However, if the arteries remain constricted for a longer period of time, there is a possibility of injury or even death. With that said, there are a number of popular blood chokes that are commonly used in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including the rear naked choke, triangle choke, various gi chokes, Darce choke, and many more.
On the other hand, air chokes compress the upper airway (trachea), preventing breathing and resulting in asphyxiation. Although air chokes are less effective at inducing unconsciousness than their vascular counterpart, they cause excruciating pain and air hunger, which results in submission. Variations of the guillotine choke are regarded as air chokes, and the front Ezekiel choke is a fine example as well.
Can You Choke Hold in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Chokes are allowed in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling, and in fact, some are considered to be the most popular submissions. In particular, the rear naked choke, bow and arrow choke, and guillotine choke are among the most prevalent strangle holds that you will learn in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. These foundational moves are crucial for any aspiring practitioner of the sport. However, it is worth noting that certain chokes are banned in BJJ. For example, squeezing your hands around your opponent’s neck and pressing your thumb against their windpipe is illegal, as is blocking their nose or mouth with your hands. These choking techniques will disqualify you under IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) rules. Despite being regarded as a dirty move, some competitions still allow you to block your opponent’s mouth and nose with your hand.
How Many Chokes Does Jiu-Jitsu Have?
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is known for its vast number of techniques. The same can be said when it comes to chokes and strangles. There are many chokes that you can use in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, we can split all of them into two categories: chokes with the gi and chokes without the gi. While gi chokes use the gi material for choking, no-gi chokes use arms or legs to strangle an opponent.
Gi Chokes
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu gi (kimono) is a training uniform composed of a heavy cotton jacket, reinforced drawstring trousers, and a belt. The collars of the gi function as a rope, and we can use them to create tremendous choking pressure. Some of the most famous strangles in the sport are done using the gi, and they can be done from various positions. Here are some of the most popular gi chokes;
- Bow & arrow choke
- Clock choke
- Loop choke
- Baseball choke
- Cross choke
- Paper cutter choke
- Ezekiel choke
No-Gi Chokes
Although chokes with the gi are very popular in the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, there is a large number of chokes we can do without the gi as well. These chokes incorporate the strength of our arms and legs to strangle an opponent. No-gi chokes are often used in grappling and MMA and are regarded as some of the best submissions. Here are some of the most popular chokes you can do without the gi.
- Rear naked choke
- Guillotine choke
- Triangle choke
- Anaconda choke
- Darce choke
- Arm triangle
- Von Flue choke
- Peruvian necktie
- North-south choke
- Gogoplata
Most Used Jiu Jitsu Choke Holds
When it comes to jiu-jitsu choke holds, it is worth noting that some are far more popular than others. In fact, we can apply the 80/20 principle here, meaning that just 20% of choke holds make up a whopping 80% of all submissions. Among these, the three most commonly used chokes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and grappling are the rear naked choke, the bow and arrow choke, and the triangle choke. It is interesting to note that these three chokes are used in both gi and no-gi competitions, showcasing their versatility and effectiveness across various settings.
The rear naked choke, in particular, is a go-to submission from the back in grappling and MMA. On the other hand, the bow and arrow choke is considered the best submission when behind an opponent in gi competitions. As for the triangle choke, it is highly versatile and can be used in both gi and no-gi, as well as in MMA. Following these three, we have the guillotine choke, which is incredibly versatile and can be utilized from a range of different positions.
Most Effective Jiu Jitsu Choke Holds
The most effective chokes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu are mostly the chokes we mentioned previously. The effectiveness of these chokes can be seen in their versatility and strangle power. Most of them can be set up from many different positions, and once locked in properly, they will lead you to victory. Let’s look at some of the most effective jiu-jitsu choke holds.
The Rear Naked Choke
The rear naked choke, commonly known as the “Mata Leao,” is a classic submission hold in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. In a real fight, it represents one of the safest and most effective ways of controlling and subduing a resisting opponent. The rear naked choke is a highly effective strangle that cuts off the blood supply to the brain. This results in unconsciousness in a couple of seconds. Moreover, because you are directly behind your opponent, it is extremely hard to counter this submission.
The Bow and Arrow Choke / Sliding Collar Choke
In Judo and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, the bow and arrow choke and the sliding collar choke from the back are two essential submissions. The attacker uses the opponent’s lapel to achieve submission and end the match. Both techniques are usually done from back control, though the control doesn’t need to be secured to apply them.
The sliding collar choke from the back is the most common submission finish in modern-day (gi) jiu-jitsu. It is done by grabbing both of your opponent’s collars, pushing one down, and sliding the other around his neck. In the bow and arrow choke, you control the opponent’s leg and push him forward instead of grabbing the collar.
The Triangle Choke
When it comes to submissions, the triangle choke is widely regarded as one of the most efficient options available. What sets it apart from other submissions is its ability to be used from a variety of different positions, including the guard position, the mount position, side control, and even the back. Furthermore, there are numerous ways to apply the triangle choke, including front triangles, rear triangles, side triangles, and reverse triangles.
Regardless of the specific variation used, the key feature of the triangle choke is the attacker’s ability to lock their legs in a triangular, figure-four pattern around the head and one arm of their opponent. This not only produces a very efficient strangling effect, but also utilizes the attacker’s legs and the opponent’s shoulder to cut off the carotid artery blood flow. As a result, the triangle choke is a highly effective submission that can also be used in combination with other techniques, such as the armbar, to further increase its effectiveness in combat.
The Guillotine Choke
The guillotine is one of the most fundamental jiu-jitsu choke holds. It has had tremendous success in mixed martial arts and submission grappling. The guillotine can be applied in front of the opponent and can be set up from various positions with or without the opponent’s arm. In this choke, arms are used to encircle the opponent’s neck to resemble a guillotine. Depending on how and where pressure is applied, the technique is either an air choke or a blood choke. There are many different variations of the guillotine choke, and all of them can be very efficient. Here is a video of a standard low-elbow guillotine demonstrated by Lachlan Giles.
The Cross Choke
The cross choke, or juji-jime in Judo, is one of the most fundamental strangles in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The cross choke is a collar strangle that works by gripping both of your opponent’s collars with your hands, forming an X. From there, the collars of the gi function as a rope, and by squeezing and pulling your elbows to your ribcage, you can strangle an opponent. The cross choke can be done from many positions, including the mount, closed guard, and side control. This move became famous through Helio Gracie, who mastered it to an exceptional degree. Another BJJ athlete that was famous for the use of this technique is Roger Gracie. Here is a video of him demonstrating it.
The Ezekiel Choke
Ezekiel choke is a submission hold in which the attacker uses the sleeve of his gi to choke his opponent. With this jiu-jitsu choke hold, the attacker uses their sleeve and wrist in a scissoring motion to block the opponent’s trachea and carotid arteries. The Ezekiel choke has many variations, with the arm-in Ezekiel being most prevalent in high-level competition.
Arm Triangle Chokes
Arm triangles are blood chokes in which the opponent is strangled between their shoulder and the attacker’s arm. It differs from the traditional triangle choke, which uses the legs to choke the opponent. However, the mechanism of strangulation is the same as in a triangle. The three most popular arm triangles are the Darce choke, Anaconda choke, and kata-gatame.
How Long Do You Need to Choke Someone Out?
While strangleholds are generally safe to practice daily, some danger is associated with them. If held too long, they can create injuries or, in some extreme cases, even be fatal. Unconsciousness from a jiu-jitsu choke hold usually occurs in about ten seconds if the hold is applied well. Be sure to release the hold when your training partner taps or signals submission.
Blood chokes usually take less time to strangle an opponent unconscious than air chokes, and they are considered more dangerous because they directly stop the blood flow to the brain. A blood choke can render someone unconscious in five to ten seconds, while air chokes need more time. Should you render someone unconscious, release the hold and lay him down on his side. He will come back to consciousness by himself in a couple of seconds. Long-term damage from a choke hold can occur if the choke is held for more than a few minutes. There can be a risk of short-term memory loss, bleeding, retinal damage, permanent brain damage, comas, and even death.
Does Getting Choked Out Cause Brain Damage?
There have been many debates over this question; some say that getting choked out causes brain damage, and some say it is not so harmful to the brain. Although there have been numerous studies, there is little evidence of brain damage when you get choked out. However, brain damage can occur if the choke is held for a while after someone goes unconscious. Holding a choke for a couple of minutes after someone has passed out can lead to permanent brain damage and create many problems. If you are in a choke hold, always do your best to tap before you go out; this will ensure safety and you will avoid potential danger. Overall, getting choked out is more of an unpleasant experience than serious risk. Keep in mind to always respect the tap, and if someone goes out, let go of the strangle immediately.
Final Thoughts
This article examined various jiu-jitsu choke holds and their role in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. There are many ways to choke someone out in a jiu-jitsu match, and we can do it with a gi or without the gi. Also, we have seen that there are two types of chokes: blood and air. In the end, we covered the potential danger of getting choked out and how much time you need to render someone unconscious with a strangle. I hope you enjoyed the article!
My name is Milos; I am the head coach and owner of Fort Jiu-Jitsu! Be sure to check us out!
You can also check out our article about the 5 best BJJ takedowns for beginners.