Ezekiel from Mount

The Ezekiel Choke from Mount is one of the most fundamental and high-percentage submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly effective in gi training. This technique combines positional dominance with a devastating choke that can be applied even when the opponent defends well against other mount attacks. The Ezekiel works by using your own gi sleeve as a fulcrum to compress the carotid arteries and windpipe simultaneously, creating both a blood and air choke that produces rapid submission.

What makes the Ezekiel from Mount particularly effective is its ability to circumvent common defensive frames. While opponents often successfully defend armbars and americanas by keeping their elbows tight, the Ezekiel can be applied directly through their defensive posture. The technique requires precise hand positioning and understanding of leverage mechanics, using the blade of your forearm against one side of the neck while the gi-gripped hand pulls from the opposite side.

Historically attributed to judoka Ezequiel Paraguassu who successfully used it in BJJ competition, this choke has become a staple of top game attacks. It works equally well from high mount, low mount, and even modified mount positions, making it an essential tool for maintaining offensive pressure while in dominant positions. The submission can be set up as a primary attack or used as part of a chain when opponents defend other mount submissions.

Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and windpipe Starting Position: Mount From Position: Mount (Top) Success Rate: 62%

Safety Guide

Injury Risks:

Injury	Severity	Recovery Time
Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness	High	Immediate recovery if released promptly; potential complications if held too long
Trachea damage from excessive pressure	Medium	1-2 weeks for minor bruising; 4-6 weeks for severe damage
Neck strain or cervical spine stress	Low	3-7 days for minor strain
Jaw or facial bone stress from improper positioning	Low	1-2 weeks

Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum from initial contact to full pressure. In training, apply at 50% speed and pressure.

Tap Signals:

Verbal tap (saying ‘tap’ or ‘stop’)
Physical hand tap on partner or mat
Physical foot tap on mat
Any unusual sound or distress signal
Loss of resistance or going limp (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

Release Protocol:

Immediately release the choking hand grip on the sleeve
Remove pressure from the blade-side arm across the neck
Maintain mount position but elevate posture to ensure airway is clear
Monitor partner’s breathing and consciousness
If partner was unconscious, elevate legs and ensure medical attention if needed
Never resume training immediately after a choke that caused unconsciousness

Training Restrictions:

Never apply this choke at competition speed during training
Never use jerking or explosive movements to finish
Never continue pressure after tap or loss of resistance
Always ensure partner has clear access to tap with at least one hand
Never practice on partners with neck injuries or medical conditions
Beginners should only practice under direct instructor supervision
Never combine with other pressure techniques simultaneously

Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	game-over	60%
Failure	Mount	25%
Counter	Half Guard	15%

Attacker vs Defender

	Attacker	Defender
Focus	Execute and finish	Escape and survive
Key Principles	Maintain solid mount position throughout the entire submissi…	Recognize the sleeve grip early - once the attacker grips th…
Options	7 execution steps	4 defensive options

Playing as Attacker

→ Full Attacker Guide

Key Principles

Maintain solid mount position throughout the entire submission sequence - losing mount negates the control advantage
Create a blade with the forearm that crosses the throat at a 45-degree angle to maximize carotid compression
Use the gi sleeve grip as an anchor point to generate pulling force from the opposite side of the neck
Keep your weight distributed forward and your head low to prevent opponent from bridging or escaping
Apply pressure gradually and bilaterally - both sides of the neck must be compressed simultaneously for maximum effectiveness
Control the opponent’s head position to prevent them from turning into or away from the choke
Maintain tight elbows to your body to create a compact, strong structure that can’t be easily defended

Execution Steps

Establish Dominant Mount: Begin in a solid mount position with your weight distributed forward toward the opponent’s head. You…
Grip Your Own Sleeve: Reach across your body with your right hand (or left, depending on preference) and grip deep into yo…
Insert Choking Arm Across Throat: Slide your sleeve-gripped hand (still holding your opposite sleeve) underneath the opponent’s head, …
Establish Second Hand Position: With your free hand (the one whose sleeve you’re gripping), reach behind the opponent’s head and fin…
Create the Choking Frame: Begin tightening the choke by simultaneously pulling with the hand behind their head while maintaini…
Finish the Submission: Complete the choke by drawing your elbows tightly together while driving your chest down toward the …
Secure Position or Release: If the opponent taps, immediately release the choke by opening your arms and removing pressure from …

Common Mistakes

Applying the choke with only arm strength instead of using body weight and structure
- Consequence: Weak choke that burns out your arms and gives opponent time to escape or defend effectively
- Correction: Drive your chest and shoulder into the choke while keeping elbows tight to your body. Use your entire upper body weight to create pressure, not just your biceps. The power comes from your posture and structure, not muscular force.
Sitting up too high or back on the hips during the choke attempt
- Consequence: Creates space for opponent to bridge, trap an arm, and execute sweep or escape. Loss of dominant position entirely.
- Correction: Keep your weight distributed forward with your chest over the opponent’s chest and head low. Your hips should be heavy on their torso, preventing any bridging motion. Stay compact and tight throughout the entire submission sequence.
Failing to control the opponent’s head position before or during the choke
- Consequence: Opponent can turn their head to relieve pressure or create angles for escape. Reduces choke effectiveness significantly.
- Correction: Use your chest, shoulder, and head position to pin their head in place. Your body weight should prevent them from turning in any direction. Drive forward to lock their head between your arms and chest.

Playing as Defender

→ Full Defender Guide

Key Principles

Recognize the sleeve grip early - once the attacker grips their own sleeve, the Ezekiel sequence has begun and you must react immediately
Fight the threading arm before it crosses your neck - blocking the arm insertion is far easier than escaping the locked choke
Never allow both of the attacker’s hands to reach their final positions without resistance
Use frames on the attacker’s biceps and shoulder to prevent them from dropping chest weight that powers the finish
Create angles through hip escape to disrupt the bilateral compression required for the choke to work
Maintain chin-to-chest position to reduce available neck space without relying solely on the chin tuck
Treat any cross-body arm movement from a mounted opponent as a potential Ezekiel threat requiring immediate defensive action

Recognition Cues

Attacker reaches across their own body to grip the inside of their opposite sleeve - this is the defining setup motion for the Ezekiel and your earliest warning
Attacker begins threading one arm underneath your head while maintaining mount, sliding from one side of your neck toward the other
Attacker drops chest weight forward and low while simultaneously moving one hand behind your head or neck - this indicates the pulling hand is being positioned
You feel the blade of the attacker’s forearm pressing against one side of your neck at an angle while their other hand cups behind your skull
Attacker’s elbows begin drawing together in a scissoring motion while their chest drives down - this indicates the finishing sequence has begun

Escape Paths

Bridge toward the threading arm side and hip escape to recover half guard - the bridge disrupts the attacker’s forward weight while the hip escape creates the angle that prevents bilateral neck compression
Frame on the attacker’s hips and execute a standard elbow-knee escape to recover guard while the attacker’s hands are committed to the choke rather than controlling your escape
Turn aggressively into the choking arm side while framing on the attacker’s shoulder to collapse the choking structure and create enough space to shrimp to half guard

Variations

Reverse Ezekiel from Mount: Instead of threading the arm under the head, this variation places the choking arm over the opponent’s face and across the throat from above. The mechanics remain similar but the angle of attack is different, making it useful when the standard Ezekiel entry is defended. (When to use: Use when opponent successfully blocks the under-the-head entry or when you’re in a higher mount position. Particularly effective against opponents who frame aggressively with their hands near their face.)

Ezekiel from High Mount: Execute the Ezekiel while positioned very high on the opponent’s chest with your knees near their armpits. This variation offers superior control and prevents escapes, though it requires more flexibility to reach around their head. The higher position makes the choke tighter and harder to defend. (When to use: Use when you’ve achieved a dominant high mount and the opponent is defensive. This position prevents bridge escapes and makes the choke nearly impossible to defend once locked in.)

Ezekiel as a Setup for Armbar: Use the Ezekiel attempt as a feint to draw the opponent’s defensive reaction. When they commit both hands to defending the neck, immediately transition to an armbar by isolating one of the defending arms. This creates a high-percentage attacking system from mount. (When to use: Use against opponents who are aware of the Ezekiel and defend it aggressively. The defensive reaction opens up arm isolation opportunities that might not otherwise exist.)

One-Armed Ezekiel from Mount: A variation where you thread your arm under their head but use your own hand to grip behind their neck instead of gripping your sleeve. While less powerful than the traditional version, this allows for faster application and works well in scrambles or transitional moments. (When to use: Use in no-gi situations or when your sleeve is inaccessible. Also effective as a surprise attack when transitioning to mount or in scramble situations where speed is essential.)

Ezekiel from Technical Mount: Apply the Ezekiel when in technical mount position (mount with one knee up near opponent’s head). This variation offers excellent control and makes the choke very tight due to the asymmetrical positioning, while the raised knee prevents the opponent from turning into you. (When to use: Use when you’ve achieved technical mount or when the opponent begins to turn to their side. This position combines the control benefits of technical mount with the finishing power of the Ezekiel.)

From Which Positions?

Mount - Primary starting position for this technique
High Mount - Superior position variation that makes the choke more effective
Technical Mount - Alternative position from which this choke can be applied with excellent control
S Mount - Advanced mount variation allowing armbar transitions when Ezekiel is defended
Armbar from Mount - Primary combination attack when opponent defends Ezekiel by grabbing your arm
Americana from Mount - Alternative submission when opponent extends arms to defend Ezekiel
Cross Collar Choke - Related gi-based choke from mount using similar leverage principles
Arm Triangle - Related choke from top positions using similar bilateral pressure concepts
Half Guard - Common position reached when defender successfully counters the Ezekiel attempt
Modified Mount - Mount variation providing enhanced base stability during Ezekiel setup
Armbar from High Mount - High-percentage alternative submission from the same elevated mount platform
Cross Collar Choke from High Mount - Complementary gi choke creating submission dilemma alongside Ezekiel threat

Match Outcome

Successful execution of Ezekiel from Mount leads to → Game Over

All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.

Safety Guide

Outcomes

Attacker vs Defender

Playing as Attacker

Key Principles

Execution Steps

Common Mistakes

Playing as Defender

Key Principles

Recognition Cues

Escape Paths

Variations

From Which Positions?

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Match Outcome

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