⚠️ SAFETY: Japanese Necktie targets the Carotid arteries and trachea. Risk: Loss of consciousness from bilateral carotid compression. Release immediately upon tap.
The Japanese Necktie is a sophisticated blood choke that attacks from front headlock or turtle positions, creating a powerful stranglehold using the opponent’s own shoulder and arm as part of the choking mechanism. Unlike traditional guillotines that rely purely on your arms, the Japanese Necktie leverages bodyweight, rotational pressure, and the opponent’s trapped arm to create an inescapable compression of the carotid arteries. This submission is particularly effective in scramble situations where opponents attempt to escape turtle or when transitioning from failed takedown attempts. The technique gained prominence in modern no-gi competition but works equally well in the gi, offering multiple entry points from common positions. The Japanese Necktie creates a unique predicament where the opponent’s defensive frames actually tighten the choke, making it a high-percentage finish once proper positioning is established. The submission requires precise understanding of angle creation, shoulder pressure mechanics, and the critical importance of hip positioning relative to the opponent’s head. When executed correctly, the Japanese Necktie produces rapid unconsciousness due to bilateral carotid compression, making tap awareness and controlled application essential safety considerations during training.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and trachea Starting Position: Front Headlock Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness from bilateral carotid compression | CRITICAL | Immediate recovery if released promptly, potential serious complications if held after unconsciousness |
| Trachea damage from improper shoulder pressure | High | 2-6 weeks for minor trauma, months for severe damage |
| Neck strain from rotational torque | Medium | 1-3 weeks |
| Shoulder injury to trapped arm | Medium | 2-4 weeks for strains |
Application Speed: EXTREMELY SLOW - 5-7 seconds minimum application time in training. This choke can render opponents unconscious in 3-5 seconds when fully locked, making gradual pressure application critical.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (say ‘tap’ clearly)
- Physical hand tap on partner’s body
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any distress signal or unusual sound
- Loss of resistance or body going limp (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
Release Protocol:
- Immediately remove choking arm from around neck
- Release grip on your own wrist or leg
- Roll away from opponent to create space
- Check partner’s consciousness and breathing
- If unconscious: elevate legs, monitor breathing, seek medical attention if no immediate recovery
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply at competition speed during drilling
- Never hold after partner taps or goes unconscious
- Always allow clear tap access for both hands
- Communicate pressure levels with training partner
- Stop immediately if partner shows any sign of distress
- Avoid jerking or yanking motions during application
- White and blue belts should practice setup only, not full finishing pressure
Key Principles
- Trap opponent’s near arm to use their shoulder as part of the choking mechanism
- Create perpendicular angle with your body relative to opponent’s spine
- Drive shoulder pressure into the far side of opponent’s neck while arm blocks near side
- Use hip extension and back arch to generate choking force, not arm strength
- Maintain tight connection between your chest and opponent’s shoulder throughout
- Control opponent’s head position to prevent them from turning into you
- Finish with legs extended and hips driving forward for maximum pressure
Prerequisites
- Secure front headlock control with opponent in turtle or bent-over position
- Establish deep overhook on opponent’s near arm, trapping it against their body
- Achieve perpendicular body angle (your torso at 90 degrees to opponent’s spine)
- Opponent’s trapped arm must be on the same side as your choking arm
- Your head position must be lower than opponent’s head to prevent escape
- Sufficient space to rotate your body around opponent’s head
- Control over opponent’s far arm to prevent posting and base recovery
Execution Steps
- Secure Front Headlock with Arm Trap: From front headlock position with opponent in turtle, swim your near arm deep around opponent’s neck, achieving a front headlock grip. Simultaneously establish a deep overhook on their near arm with your far arm, pinching their arm tightly to their body. This trapped arm will become part of the choking mechanism. Your chest should be heavy on their shoulder, preventing them from sitting back or standing up. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to establish secure grips) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Create Perpendicular Angle: Begin rotating your body perpendicular to opponent’s spine by stepping your far leg over their back and toward their far hip. As you rotate, maintain the tight overhook on their trapped arm while your choking arm stays deep around their neck. Your goal is to position your torso at approximately 90 degrees to their spine, with your hips facing their far side. This angle is critical for the choke’s effectiveness. (Timing: 2-3 seconds for rotation) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Lock the Grip Configuration: With your choking arm deep around their neck, reach for your own leg (typically grabbing your shin or foot) or clasp your hands together in a gable grip behind their head. The exact grip varies by body type and flexibility, but the key is creating a closed loop that prevents your arm from sliding out. Some variations involve gripping your own lapel in gi, or grabbing your ankle in no-gi. Ensure the lock is tight before applying pressure. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to secure grip) [Pressure: Light]
- Position Your Shoulder as Choking Surface: Adjust your body so your near shoulder (the one on the same side as your choking arm) is pressed firmly against the far side of opponent’s neck. This shoulder acts as a rigid surface that compresses the far carotid artery. Your choking arm, combined with their own trapped shoulder, will compress the near side. Your chest should be tight against their trapped shoulder, using it as a fulcrum point. (Timing: 1-2 seconds for positioning) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Extend Hips and Arch Back: With grips secured and shoulder positioned, begin extending your hips forward while simultaneously arching your back and driving your shoulder into their neck. This creates a powerful scissoring action where your shoulder compresses one side while their own shoulder (held by your overhook) compresses the other side. Your choking arm functions primarily as a restraint rather than the main source of pressure. Extend your legs fully and drive your hips toward the ceiling. (Timing: 3-5 seconds gradual pressure increase) [Pressure: Firm]
- Maintain Position Through Tap: Continue driving your hips forward and shoulder into their neck while keeping their arm trapped. The choke should tighten progressively as you increase hip extension. Monitor your partner closely for tap signals, as this choke can render opponents unconscious rapidly once fully locked. In training, maintain steady pressure rather than explosive force. Release immediately upon any tap signal. The finish position should have your legs fully extended, hips high, back arched, and shoulder driving into their neck. (Timing: 2-4 seconds until tap in training) [Pressure: Maximum]
- Alternative Finish - Rolling Variation: If the standard finish doesn’t produce immediate pressure, you can enhance the choke by rolling over your far shoulder, inverting yourself while maintaining all grips. This rolling motion often tightens the choke dramatically by changing the angle of pressure on the neck. As you roll, keep the overhook tight and your choking arm locked. You may end up on your back or side with opponent’s weight falling into the choke. This variation is particularly effective when opponent has good base. (Timing: 2-3 seconds for roll execution) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Pulling trapped arm free to remove shoulder from choke (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Switch your overhook to an underhook on their far arm instead, or immediately transition to standard guillotine by releasing the trapped arm but maintaining neck control. Alternatively, pinch your elbow tighter to their body and use your bodyweight to prevent arm extraction.
- Rolling toward you to relieve neck pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Follow their roll by rolling with them, maintaining the same perpendicular angle throughout the rotation. Often their roll actually tightens the choke as it loads more weight into the position. Keep your grips locked and your shoulder pressure consistent during the roll.
- Driving forward and standing up to create space (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: If they begin standing, immediately jump guard by wrapping your legs around their waist, or drop your weight dramatically to prevent them achieving full standing position. You can also transition to a standing Japanese Necktie by maintaining grips while on your feet and using your legs to control their hips.
- Turning into you to face guard position (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: This defensive movement typically tightens the choke as it loads their weight into your shoulder pressure. Encourage this movement by not resisting their turn, then finish the choke as they face you. Alternatively, transition to closed guard with the choke still locked for a front guillotine finish.
- Hand fighting to prevent grip lock (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: If they prevent you from locking your hands or grabbing your leg, maintain heavy shoulder pressure and work to tire their arms. Use short, pulsing pressure to drain their defensive energy. When they fatigue, quickly secure your grip lock. Alternatively, adjust to a different front headlock submission like anaconda or darce.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary choking mechanism of the Japanese Necktie, and how does it differ from a standard guillotine? A: The Japanese Necktie uses the opponent’s own trapped shoulder as part of the choking mechanism, creating bilateral carotid compression through your shoulder on one side and their shoulder on the other side of their neck. Your choking arm serves primarily to control head position rather than generate the choking pressure itself. This differs from a standard guillotine where your arms create the compression directly. The Japanese Necktie generates pressure through hip extension and shoulder drive rather than arm strength, making it effective even against larger opponents.
Q2: Why is the perpendicular body angle critical to the Japanese Necktie’s effectiveness, and what happens if the angle is incorrect? A: The perpendicular angle (approximately 90 degrees between your torso and opponent’s spine) is essential because it properly positions your shoulder against the far side of their neck while their trapped shoulder compresses the near side. If you’re too parallel to their body, your shoulder won’t engage the neck and the choke fails completely. If you rotate too far past perpendicular, you lose leverage and they can easily turn into you to escape or take your back. The 90-degree angle maximizes the scissoring action between your shoulder and theirs, creating optimal bilateral carotid compression.
Q3: What are the immediate steps you must take if your training partner goes unconscious during application of the Japanese Necktie? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately release all grips and choking pressure the instant you notice loss of resistance or body going limp. Roll away from your partner to create space and remove all constriction from their neck. Check their consciousness and breathing immediately. Elevate their legs to help blood return to the brain. Monitor their breathing and be prepared to call for medical attention if they don’t regain consciousness within seconds. Never shake them or apply additional stimulation. If breathing stops, begin CPR and call emergency services immediately.
Q4: Why is gradual pressure application (5-7 seconds minimum) essential when training the Japanese Necktie, even though the choke can work much faster? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Gradual application allows your training partner time to recognize the danger, assess their defensive options, and tap safely before losing consciousness. The Japanese Necktie can render opponents unconscious in 3-5 seconds when applied explosively, which doesn’t provide adequate time for safe tapping in a training environment. Slow application also prevents trachea damage from sudden shoulder pressure and reduces risk of neck strain from rotational torque. In training, the goal is skill development and safety, not demonstrating how quickly you can choke someone unconscious. Partners who apply submissions gradually build trust and create a safer training environment for everyone.
Q5: What is the purpose of the overhook on the opponent’s near arm, and what happens if this arm trap fails during execution? A: The overhook traps the opponent’s arm against their body, transforming their own shoulder into part of the choking mechanism. Their trapped shoulder compresses one carotid artery while your shoulder compresses the other, creating the bilateral compression necessary for the choke. If the arm trap fails and they extract their arm, they can post with that hand to create base, turn into you to face guard, or use the free arm to hand fight and break your grips. Without the trapped arm, you lose half of the choking mechanism and the technique becomes a weak front headlock position rather than an effective submission. If the trap fails, you should immediately transition to alternative attacks like anaconda, darce, or standard guillotine.
Q6: How should you generate choking pressure in the Japanese Necktie, and why is using arm strength alone ineffective? A: Choking pressure should come primarily from hip extension, back arch, and shoulder drive rather than arm strength. You extend your hips forward and upward while arching your back, which drives your shoulder into one side of opponent’s neck while their trapped shoulder compresses the other side. Your arms serve mainly to control head position and maintain your grip configuration, not to generate squeezing force. Using arm strength alone is ineffective because your biceps and forearms will fatigue quickly, you won’t achieve sufficient pressure on the carotid arteries, and you’ll telegraph the submission giving opponent time to defend. Proper technique using body mechanics allows you to finish the choke even against larger, stronger opponents.
Q7: From a defensive perspective, what is the highest percentage escape from the Japanese Necktie once it’s locked, and why does this defense work? A: The highest percentage escape is extracting the trapped arm before your opponent locks their grip configuration. Once the arm is free, their shoulder can no longer function as part of the choking mechanism and the entire technique falls apart. This defense works because it removes one of the two compression points (your own shoulder) from the equation. To execute this escape, you must aggressively pull your trapped arm free before your opponent completes their rotation to perpendicular position and locks their hands. Use your free hand to push on their elbow or shoulder to create space, then extract the arm by pulling it toward your head. Once the arm is free, immediately work to improve your position by sitting back to guard or standing up. Attempting this escape after they’ve locked their grips becomes much more difficult, making early recognition and reaction critical.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The Japanese Necktie represents an elegant application of biomechanical principles where we transform the opponent’s defensive structure into our offensive weapon. The genius of this technique lies in the fact that their own shoulder becomes the primary choking surface rather than your arms - this allows even smaller grapplers to generate tremendous pressure against larger opponents through proper body positioning and hip mechanics. The critical technical element is achieving and maintaining the perpendicular body angle throughout the finish sequence. Without this ninety-degree relationship between your torso and their spine, the shoulder cannot properly engage the carotid artery and the entire mechanism fails. When teaching this submission, I emphasize that the choking arm serves primarily as a control mechanism rather than the pressure source - students who understand this principle progress much faster than those who attempt to muscle the choke through arm strength. From a safety perspective, this is one of the most dangerous chokes in our arsenal due to its speed of onset once properly locked. The bilateral carotid compression can render opponents unconscious in under five seconds, making gradual pressure application and immediate tap recognition absolutely critical in training environments. The Japanese Necktie also provides an excellent case study in submission interconnectivity - it exists within a system of front headlock attacks including guillotine, anaconda, and darce variations. High-level practitioners don’t hunt for a single submission but rather flow between these options based on opponent’s defensive responses, creating a decision tree that becomes increasingly difficult to defend as the opponent reveals their defensive patterns.
- Gordon Ryan: The Japanese Necktie is one of those submissions that looks complicated when you first see it but becomes incredibly high-percentage once you understand the key details. In competition, I’ve found it’s most effective as a surprise attack during scrambles rather than a planned finish from static turtle position - when opponents are focused on defending guillotines and anacondas, the Japanese Necktie comes from a slightly different angle that catches them off guard. The arm trap is everything in this choke. If you don’t secure that overhook deep and tight before you start rotating your body, you’re wasting your time. I’ve seen guys try to force it without the proper trap and they just end up giving up position. Once you have the trap locked, the finish is actually pretty straightforward - just drive your shoulder into their neck and extend your hips. One thing I’ve learned through competition experience is that the rolling variation is often more effective than the standard side finish, especially against bigger guys with good base. When you roll over your shoulder into the inverted position, it uses gravity to load their weight into the choke and they have no base to defend with. I’ve finished multiple black belts with this variation who were defending the standard version successfully. In training versus competition, you have to make a clear distinction with this choke. In the training room, I apply it super slowly and tap my partners out gently - there’s no benefit to choking your training partners unconscious and creating a culture where people are afraid to work with you. In competition though, once I feel that choke lock in, I’m finishing it as fast as possible because I know from experience it only takes a few seconds before they’re going out. That’s why it’s crucial to have partners you trust who will tap early and whom you release immediately when they do.
- Eddie Bravo: The Japanese Necktie is a perfect example of how the no-gi revolution has brought old judo techniques back to life with modern applications. This choke has been around forever in judo newaza, but it really found its home in no-gi grappling where the front headlock game is so dominant. At 10th Planet, we’ve developed some unique variations that fit into our system perfectly. One of my favorite setups is from the truck position - when you’re attacking the twister or back take and the opponent starts to defend by tucking their head, you can transition directly into a Japanese Necktie by establishing that arm trap and rotating your body. It’s unexpected and extremely effective because they’re not thinking about neck attacks when they’re worried about their back. The traditional finish is solid, but we’ve experimented with some more creative applications. We teach a version where instead of finishing on your side with legs extended, you actually invert yourself completely and finish almost upside down - it looks crazy but the pressure is insane because all your bodyweight drops into the choke. We’ve also found success combining it with lockdown control from half guard when opponents flatten themselves trying to pass - trap their near arm, lock the Japanese Necktie grip, and finish by bridging rather than extending. From a training safety perspective, this is one submission where I’m absolutely militant about controlled application. I’ve seen too many guys get choked out because someone got excited and cranked it too fast. At our gym, you apply this choke slow or you don’t train with us anymore - it’s that simple. The culture has to be that we’re all here to get better, not to prove how tough we are by refusing to tap or how badass we are by choking people unconscious. That competitive ego shit has no place when we’re dealing with techniques that can literally stop blood flow to someone’s brain. Tap early, release immediately, and everyone goes home healthy to train another day. That’s the only way this works long-term.