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BJJ Fundamentals

Lesson 32 – Cross Collar Choke

Warm Up (5min)

  • Line Drills
    • Any

Lesson (30min)

Cross-Collar Strangle – Grip Details

  1. Start in seated butterfly guard
  2. Set your cross-collar strangle hand palm-up on uke’s lapel
    • Use your other hand to maintain tension on uke’s lapel while your strangle hand “bites” upwards to climb up the lapel all the way behind uke’s neck
  3. Flex your wrist to pull uke’s head down and create “lines of tension” on uke’s gi
  4. Set your finishing hand palm-down on uke’s lapel
    • You can either grip with your thumb inside the collar, or with four fingers gripping the “lines of tension” on uke’s gi near the neck

Cross-Collar Strangle – Finishing Mechanics

  1. Continue from butterfly guard, with cross-collar strangle grips set
    • Your grips should be set high and tight enough that you don’t have to flare your elbows to put pressure around uke’s neck
  2. Place your head next to uke’s head on top of your finishing hand
  3. Pull your elbows to your hips while keeping your wrists straight to finish the strangle
    • Ensure your overall posture crunches inwards; your spine should be curved with arms close to your chest

Cross-Collar Strangle – High/Low Elbow

  1. Continue from butterfly guard with your strangle hand set
  2. Flex your wrist to pull uke’s head down and create “lines of tension” on uke’s gi
  3. Set your finishing hand on uke’s lapel
    • High elbow method: place your elbow above uke’s head while you set your finishing hand palm-down on their collar (heist up to a knee for more height if needed)
    • Low elbow method: weave your finishing hand under your strangle hand and set it palm-up on uke’s collar
  4. Finish the strangle as before

Cross-Collar Strangle – Mounted Entry

  1. Start in top mount
  2. Set your strangle hand palm-up on uke’s lapel
    • You will not be able to grip behind uke’s head due to the mat; instead, simply grip high enough to touch your knuckles to the mat
  3. Place your elbow above uke’s head and put your head on the mat for balance
  4. Set your finishing hand palm-down on uke’s lapel
    • Insert your thumb into the collar, then “bite” your finishing hand tightly onto uke’s lapel
  5. Shift your elbow across uke’s head and finish the strangle with the combined strength of your arms and your bodyweight