BJJ Graph

Loop Choke

Jun 15, 202510 min read

Loop Choke

bjjtransitionsubmissionchokegi

Required Properties for State Machine

Core Identifiers

  • Submission ID: S308
  • Submission Name: Loop Choke
  • Alternative Names: Collar Loop Strangle, Circular Collar Choke

State Machine Properties

Submission Properties

  • Success Probability: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 65%, Advanced 85% - core probability data
  • Execution Complexity: Medium - technical difficulty assessment
  • Energy Cost: Medium - physical demand of execution
  • Time Required: Short - duration of submission attempt
  • Risk Level: Medium - chance of position loss if failed

Physical Requirements

  • Strength Requirements: High for grip and forearm control
  • Flexibility Requirements: Medium for shoulder and arm mobility
  • Coordination Requirements: High for precise timing and looping motion
  • Endurance Requirements: Medium for sustained grip during finish

State Machine Content Elements

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed step-by-step description for clear movement sequence visualization:

From a bottom position like Closed Guard or Open Guard, or even Turtle Position, you begin by establishing a deep cross-collar grip with one hand, ensuring your fingers are inside the collar with your thumb outside for maximum control against the opponent’s neck. As the opponent drives forward, often during a guard pass attempt, raise your gripping arm’s elbow high and outside to prepare for the looping motion. Loop your arm over and around the opponent’s head in a circular motion, using their forward momentum to enhance the choke’s pressure, while your free hand secures their posture or blocks defensive frames. Complete the choke by connecting your elbow to your hip and driving your shoulder forward, creating compression across their carotid arteries, maintaining head control to prevent defensive posture adjustments, and applying progressive pressure until they submit due to the intense strangle.

Template: “From guard bottom, secure deep cross-collar grip. Raise elbow high as opponent drives forward. Loop arm around head, secure posture with free hand. Connect elbow to hip, drive shoulder for compression until submission.”

Execution Steps (Numbered Sequence)

  1. Setup Requirements: Establish position (Closed Guard Bottom, Open Guard Bottom, or Turtle)
  2. Initial Movement: Secure deep cross-collar grip with fingers inside, thumb outside
  3. Opponent Response: Opponent drives forward, often attempting guard pass
  4. Adaptation: Raise gripping arm’s elbow high and outside for looping preparation
  5. Positioning: Loop arm over and around opponent’s head in circular motion
  6. Pressure Application: Secure posture with free hand, connect elbow to hip, drive shoulder forward
  7. Completion: Maintain head control, apply progressive compression until submission

Key Technical Details

Critical elements that determine success:

  • Grip Requirements: Deep cross-collar grip with knuckles against neck for control
  • Base/Foundation: Elbow high and outside before looping for mechanical advantage
  • Timing Windows: Execute when opponent drives forward with pressure
  • Leverage Points: Shoulder drive and hip connection for carotid compression
  • Common Adjustments: Adjust looping angle and head control based on resistance

Success Modifiers

Factors that increase/decrease probability:

  • Setup Quality: Depth and security of cross-collar grip (+/-20%)
  • Timing Precision: Executing during opponent’s forward pressure (+/-15%)
  • Opponent Fatigue: Reduced defensive posture over time (+/-5%)
  • Knowledge Test Performance: Understanding looping mechanics and timing (+/-10%)
  • Positional Control: Effectiveness of head control and shoulder drive (+/-10%)

Counter-Attack Analysis

Common Counters

Opponent responses with success rates:

  • Posture Management: Maintaining upright posture to prevent loop → Height Creation (Success Rate: 25%, Conditions: early reaction)
  • Hand Fighting: Fighting grip to prevent deep collar control → Grip Prevention (Success Rate: 20%, Conditions: strong grip defense)
  • Defensive Frame: Framing to create space against loop → Space Maintenance (Success Rate: 15%, Conditions: quick adjustment)
  • Head Position Change: Changing head angle to disrupt choke → Angle Disruption (Success Rate: 10%, Conditions: quick recognition)
  • Back Step: Stepping back to change direction → Direction Change (Success Rate: 10%, Conditions: significant leverage)

Format: [[Counter Technique]] → [[Result State]] (Success Rate: X%, Conditions: [when applicable])

Decision Logic for Opponent Behavior

If [loop choke setup] is not fully secured:
- Execute [[Posture Management]] (Probability: 25%)

Else if [grip strength] allows breaking control:
- Execute [[Hand Fighting]] (Probability: 20%)

Else if [framing] can create space:
- Execute [[Defensive Frame]] (Probability: 15%)

Else if [head position] can disrupt angle:
- Execute [[Head Position Change]] (Probability: 10%)

Else [optimal submission execution]:
- Accept submission (Probability: Success Rate - Modifiers)

Defensive Considerations

Common Threats During Attempt

Primary risks while attempting this submission:

  • Grip Break: Opponent breaks collar grip → Grip Prevention (Threat Level: Medium)
  • Position Loss: Opponent postures up during setup → Height Creation (Threat Level: Medium)
  • Counter Attack: Opponent frames to create space → Space Maintenance (Threat Level: Low)
  • Stalemate: Opponent changes head angle to stall submission → Angle Disruption (Threat Level: Medium)

Format: [[Threat Type]] → [[Resulting Position]] (Threat Level: X)

Defensive Strategies

Methods to mitigate threats:

  • Grip Maintenance: Secure deep collar grip quickly to prevent breaks
  • Posture Control: Maintain opponent’s forward pressure to avoid posture recovery
  • Angle Adjustment: Adjust looping angle to counter head position changes
  • Body Positioning: Use free hand to block frames and maintain control
  • Adaptation Readiness: Be prepared to switch to other chokes or sweeps if defended

Educational Content

Expert Insights

Commentary as if from recognized authorities:

  • John Danaher: “The Loop Choke’s mechanical efficiency as a counter to guard passing is remarkable. Timing and grip depth are critical for success. It exploits forward pressure systematically.”
  • Gordon Ryan: “Though gi-specific, the Loop Choke is a potent counter-submission. Timing with opponent’s movement is everything. It turns their advance into a fatal mistake.”
  • Eddie Bravo: “While I focus on no-gi, the Loop Choke’s principles apply in modified forms. Using opponent’s momentum is key. It creates openings for chained attacks.”

Each insight should focus on one key technical or strategic element.

Common Errors

For knowledge test generation:

  • Error: Insufficient grip depth in collar

  • Why It Fails: Reduces control and compression on carotid arteries

  • Correction: Ensure deep cross-collar grip with knuckles against neck

  • Recognition: Grip feels shallow or slips during loop

  • Error: Poor elbow positioning before looping

  • Why It Fails: Prevents effective circular motion for choke setup

  • Correction: Raise elbow high and outside before initiating loop

  • Recognition: Loop feels awkward or lacks pressure

  • Error: Improper timing with opponent’s movement

  • Why It Fails: Misses window of forward pressure for maximum effect

  • Correction: Synchronize loop with opponent’s guard pass or advance

  • Recognition: Opponent easily postures or defends before choke sets

Timing Considerations

When to attempt this submission:

  • Optimal Conditions: When opponent drives forward with pressure during guard pass
  • Avoid When: Opponent maintains upright posture or strong grip defense
  • Setup Sequences: As a counter when opponent attempts to pass guard
  • Follow-up Windows: Must complete within 3-5 seconds to prevent defense or fatigue

Prerequisites

Requirements before attempting:

  • Technical Skills: Understanding of collar choke mechanics and timing
  • Physical Preparation: Grip strength for deep collar control
  • Positional Knowledge: Control from bottom guard or turtle positions
  • Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced - requires precise timing and gi control

Technical Assessment Elements

Knowledge Assessment Questions

5 technical questions with multiple choice answers:

  • Mechanical Understanding: “What creates the submission pressure in the Loop Choke?”
  • Timing Recognition: “When is the optimal moment to initiate the Loop Choke?”
  • Error Prevention: “What is the most common mistake in grip setup for this submission?”
  • Setup Requirements: “Which grip is essential for the Loop Choke?”
  • Adaptation: “How do you adjust if the opponent postures up to defend?”

Variants and Configurations

Different setups within the submission:

  • Standard Loop Choke: Classic application from Closed Guard
  • Open Guard Loop Choke: From various Open Guard positions
  • Turtle Loop Choke: Against a turtled opponent
  • Knee Cut Counter Loop Choke: Counter to knee cut pass
  • Rolling Loop Choke: Dynamic application with forward roll

Training Progressions

Skill development pathway:

  • Grip Familiarization: Practice deep cross-collar grip solo
  • Control Drilling: Work with partner on elbow positioning and looping motion
  • Timing Integration: Add synchronization with opponent’s forward pressure
  • Pressure Practice: Incorporate shoulder drive and hip connection for compression
  • Live Application: Use in sparring with focus on timing and adjustments

Audio & Narration Elements

Action Descriptions

Dynamic language for TTS narration:

  • Movement Verbs: Secure, raise, loop, connect, drive, maintain, apply
  • Spatial References: Collar grip, high elbow, circular motion, shoulder forward
  • Pressure Dynamics: Carotid compression, choking pressure, neck strain
  • Momentum Descriptions: Opponent’s advance, synchronized timing, finishing compression

Coaching Commentary

Real-time instruction and feedback:

  • Setup Cues: “Secure deep cross-collar grip with knuckles against neck”
  • Execution Guidance: “Raise elbow high as they drive forward, loop around head”
  • Adjustment Prompts: “Connect elbow to hip, drive shoulder for compression”
  • Completion Confirmation: “Maintain control until they submit, watch for tap”

Technical Specifications

Control Mechanics

Scientific submission analysis:

  • Force Vectors: Compression force through collar grip on carotid arteries
  • Leverage Points: Shoulder drive and hip connection as fulcrum for choke
  • Stability Factors: Head control and grip depth for positional stability
  • Mobility Dynamics: Looping motion adjustment for dynamic control
  • Energy Efficiency: Moderate energy use with high submission return

Success Factors

Elements that strengthen submission:

  • Grip Quality: Depth and security of collar control (+/-20%)
  • Timing Precision: Synchronization with opponent’s advance (+/-15%)
  • Head Control: Effectiveness of posture disruption (+/-15%)
  • Opponent Fatigue: Reduced defensive resistance over time (+/-5%)
  • Experience Level: Familiarity with gi choke mechanics (+/-10%)

Validation Checklist

Every submission file must include:

  • All required properties with specific values
  • Detailed visual execution sequence (minimum 4 sentences)
  • Complete execution steps list (minimum 7 steps)
  • Strategic advantages and common challenges
  • At least 3 high-probability counters with success rates
  • Expert insights from all three authorities
  • Minimum 3 common errors with corrections
  • 5 knowledge test questions with answers
  • Defensive considerations and strategies
  • Training progression pathway

Example Implementation

See Americana for a complete example implementing all standard requirements.

Notes for Developers

This standard ensures:

  • Consistent submission data for state machine implementation
  • Detailed control mechanics for realistic modeling
  • Rich content for comprehensive technical documentation
  • Educational value through expert analysis
  • Technical depth for authentic understanding
  • Structured counter analysis for complete coverage
  • Knowledge assessment integration
  • Training progression guidance

Updates to this standard should be reflected across all submission files to maintain consistency and educational value.

  • Cross Collar Choke - Alternative collar choke with different mechanics
  • Ezekiel Choke - Follow-up if Loop Choke is defended
  • Baseball Bat Choke - Complementary gi choke from similar positions
  • Bow and Arrow Choke - Secondary attack from collar control
  • Clock Choke - Alternative choke against turtled opponent

Historical Context

The Loop Choke has been a part of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s technical arsenal for decades, though its origins are somewhat less documented than other classical submissions. It gained significant prominence in the modern competition era as practitioners demonstrated its effectiveness as a counter to aggressive guard passing, particularly against pressure-heavy styles that became prevalent in the 2000s. The choke’s evolution included the development of rolling variations, extending its application range and creating new tactical options for gi competitors.

Competition Applications

  • IBJJF Rules: Legal at all belt levels in gi, scores as submission win
  • Strategic Use: High-percentage counter in gi competition formats
  • Gi Specificity: Primarily used in gi due to collar grip requirement
  • Tournament Impact: Often used to surprise opponents during guard passes

Safety Considerations

  • Pressure Control: Apply compression gradually to avoid sudden carotid damage
  • Partner Awareness: Monitor opponent’s response during application
  • Mat Space: Ensure adequate space for safe positioning
  • Release Timing: Release immediately upon tap to prevent unconsciousness
  • Neck Safety: Avoid excessive force beyond reasonable compression point

Submission Integration

Common Loop Choke combinations:

Training Applications

  • Gi Specialization: Essential for gi competitors focusing on collar chokes
  • Competition Preparation: Strong submission for gi tournaments
  • Control Development: Builds understanding of collar grip and timing mechanics
  • Tactical Exploration: Encourages counter-offensive setups from guard

Graph View

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