⚠️ SAFETY: Loop Choke Variations targets the Carotid arteries and trachea. Risk: Tracheal compression and potential damage. Release immediately upon tap.
The Loop Choke represents a sophisticated family of collar-based blood chokes that exploit the opponent’s defensive reactions and posture. Unlike traditional cross collar chokes, loop choke variations utilize a looping motion of the collar around the opponent’s neck, creating compression on the carotid arteries from unexpected angles. These techniques are particularly effective when opponents defend against standard collar attacks by tucking their chin or turning away, as the looping action bypasses typical defensive frames. The versatility of loop choke variations makes them applicable from multiple positions including closed guard, half guard, turtle, and even from top positions. Understanding the fundamental mechanics of collar manipulation, angle creation, and body positioning is essential for executing these techniques effectively while maintaining safety and control throughout the sequence.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and trachea Starting Position: Closed Guard Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tracheal compression and potential damage | High | 2-4 weeks |
| Temporary loss of consciousness from blood choke | Medium | Immediate to 24 hours |
| Neck strain from improper angle | Medium | 1-2 weeks |
| Cervical spine stress from excessive torque | High | 3-6 weeks |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum in training
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap or vocalization
- Physical hand tap on partner or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat or partner
- Any distress signal or unusual sound
- Loss of resistance or going limp
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release all collar grips upon tap signal
- Allow partner’s head to return to neutral position gradually
- Monitor partner’s consciousness and breathing
- Wait for verbal confirmation of wellness before continuing
- Report any unusual reactions to instructor immediately
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply full pressure during initial learning phases
- Never jerk or spike the collar tension suddenly
- Never continue past initial resistance or discomfort
- Always maintain visual contact with partner’s face when possible
- Never practice on partners with known neck or cervical injuries
- Always allow partner access to tap with both hands
Key Principles
- Collar depth and grip control establish the foundation for all variations
- Angle creation through hip movement and body positioning multiplies choking pressure
- The looping motion redirects opponent’s defensive posture into the submission
- Balance between blood choke and airway restriction determines effectiveness
- Proper sequencing from setup to finish prevents telegraphing intentions
- Maintaining connection throughout prevents opponent escape windows
- Understanding which variation applies to specific defensive reactions
Prerequisites
- Secure deep collar grip with four fingers inside, thumb outside
- Establish secondary control point (sleeve, collar, or positional frame)
- Create angle by moving hips or adjusting body position relative to opponent
- Break opponent’s posture or capitalize on their postured position
- Identify which loop choke variation matches opponent’s defensive structure
- Ensure your choking arm has clear path to complete looping motion
- Verify collar material has sufficient slack for manipulation
Execution Steps
- Establish Primary Collar Grip: Insert your hand deep into opponent’s collar on the same side, palm facing you, with fingers inside and thumb outside. The deeper the grip, the tighter the final choke. Aim to have your wrist past their neck centerline. This foundational grip determines the success of all subsequent steps. (Timing: During opponent’s forward pressure or posture break) [Pressure: Firm]
- Secure Secondary Control: Establish control with your opposite hand - either grabbing their same-side sleeve, securing a second collar grip, or controlling their opposite shoulder. This prevents them from pulling away and provides leverage for angle creation. The secondary control varies by specific loop choke variation being executed. (Timing: Immediately after primary grip establishment) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Create Angle Through Hip Movement: Shift your hips away from your choking hand side while pulling opponent’s upper body toward your hip. This angular displacement is critical - it transforms a straight pull into a looping diagonal force that wraps the collar around their neck. The angle should be approximately 45 degrees from centerline. (Timing: As opponent resists or maintains posture) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Feed Collar Material: Use your secondary hand to gather and feed additional collar material toward your primary grip, creating slack that allows the loop to tighten. Alternatively, pull their head down and across toward your choking side hip, which has the same effect of creating the necessary collar loop around their neck. (Timing: During angle creation phase) [Pressure: Light]
- Complete the Loop: Pull your primary grip hand across their neck in a looping arc while simultaneously using your body position to drive their head in the opposite direction. The collar should now be wrapped diagonally across both carotid arteries. Your forearm and the gi material work together to create compression from multiple angles. (Timing: After angle and collar slack established) [Pressure: Firm]
- Apply Final Pressure: Tighten the choke by extending your choking arm away from their body while simultaneously pulling their head closer with your legs or secondary grip. The pressure should build gradually over 3-5 seconds. Focus on blood choke compression rather than crushing the trachea. Monitor for tap signals continuously throughout. (Timing: Final submission phase, minimum 3-5 seconds) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Tucking chin to chest to protect neck (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: The loop choke bypasses chin defense by attacking from the side angle. Increase hip angle and focus on looping motion rather than straight pull.
- Posturing up aggressively to create distance (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use their upward momentum to feed more collar material. Transition to standing loop choke variation or use their posture to enhance the looping angle.
- Gripping your choking wrist with both hands (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Their grip exposure creates arm lock opportunities. Alternatively, use their focus on your wrist to adjust hip angle and complete loop from different vector.
- Turning head away from choking pressure (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Their head turn actually tightens most loop choke variations. Follow their movement and accelerate the looping motion to capitalize on their defensive rotation.
- Backing away to create space (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: If they successfully create distance before loop completion, transition to different attack or re-establish closed guard. Loop chokes require maintained connection throughout execution.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the minimum time you should take to apply full pressure when finishing a loop choke in training? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You should apply pressure progressively over a minimum of 3-5 seconds in training. This allows your training partner sufficient time to recognize the submission and tap safely. Competition applications may be faster, but training prioritizes safety and learning. Rushing the finish risks injury and prevents proper technical development.
Q2: Why is creating a 45-degree hip angle more effective than pulling straight back on the collar? A: The 45-degree angle transforms a straight pull into a looping diagonal force that wraps the collar around both sides of the neck, compressing both carotid arteries simultaneously. Pulling straight back creates more neck crank than blood choke, is easier to defend, and carries higher injury risk. The angle is what creates the ‘loop’ in loop choke.
Q3: What are the mandatory tap signals that require immediate release of the loop choke? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: All tap signals require immediate release: verbal tap or vocalization, physical hand tap on partner or mat, physical foot tap, any distress signal or unusual sound, and loss of resistance or partner going limp. You must monitor continuously throughout the application and release all collar grips instantly upon any of these signals.
Q4: How does the opponent’s defensive reaction of turning their head away affect the loop choke? A: When the opponent turns their head away from the choking pressure, they actually assist in tightening most loop choke variations. Their rotational movement increases the looping effect and wraps the collar tighter around their neck. The correct response is to follow their movement and accelerate the loop completion, as their defense becomes part of the submission mechanics.
Q5: Why is collar grip depth critical in the initial setup phase? A: Deep collar grip with the wrist past the neck centerline provides the necessary material and leverage to complete the loop. Shallow grips allow the opponent to defend by tucking their chin or backing away, and don’t provide sufficient collar slack to wrap around the neck properly. Grip depth should be prioritized over speed, as it determines whether the subsequent steps can succeed.
Q6: What is the difference between applying loop choke pressure as a blood choke versus an air choke? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Loop chokes should target the carotid arteries for a blood choke, which is safer and more effective. Blood chokes cause temporary restriction of blood flow to the brain, inducing rapid unconsciousness if not tapped. Air chokes crush the trachea, cause more panic and pain, take longer to work, and carry higher risk of serious injury. Proper angle and collar placement ensures blood choke mechanics.
Q7: How should you respond if your training partner goes limp during loop choke application? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately release all collar grips and allow their head to return to neutral position. Monitor their breathing and consciousness. This indicates they have lost consciousness from the blood choke. Wait for them to recover naturally (typically within seconds), ensure they are fully alert before continuing, and report the incident to your instructor. Never shake or move an unconscious partner roughly.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The loop choke family represents a perfect example of how angular leverage transforms a simple collar grip into a powerful submission. The mechanical advantage comes not from strength, but from the geometrical relationship between your hip position and the collar’s path around the opponent’s neck. When we analyze the biomechanics, the looping motion creates a force vector that simultaneously compresses both carotid arteries while making traditional chin-tuck defense ineffective. The critical detail that separates effective loop chokes from ineffective attempts is the precision of your initial hip angle - typically 45 degrees from centerline. This angle must be established before applying pressure, not during. Students often make the error of attempting to create angle and pressure simultaneously, which results in a neck crank rather than a blood choke. From a safety perspective, the loop choke must always be applied with progressive pressure over several seconds in training, monitoring continuously for tap signals. The opponent’s loss of consciousness can occur rapidly once proper compression is achieved, making release protocol mastery absolutely essential.
- Gordon Ryan: Loop chokes are incredibly high-percentage in gi competition because they exploit the fundamental defensive reaction of turning away from collar attacks. Most opponents will defend a cross collar choke by rotating their head, which is exactly the movement that tightens a properly set up loop choke. I’ve finished countless matches with loop choke variations because they work at all levels - the basic mechanics are simple enough for beginners, but the timing and setup sophistication can challenge black belts. The key competitive advantage is disguising your collar grip within other attacks or passing sequences. I never just grab a collar and immediately attempt the loop - that’s too obvious. Instead, I establish the grip while threatening a different attack, then capitalize on their defensive movement to complete the loop. From guard, the standing loop choke is particularly effective because opponents often don’t recognize the danger until it’s too late. In training versus competition, the application speed is dramatically different. In the gym, I take 4-5 seconds minimum to apply pressure, giving my partner ample time to tap. In competition, once I have the loop set, the finish can come in under a second. This is a significant distinction that every competitor must understand - training is about repetition and safety, competition is about winning.
- Eddie Bravo: The loop choke fits perfectly into the 10th Planet system because it works from so many positions we regularly play - half guard, butterfly, even from the truck position with modifications. What I love about loop choke variations is that they punish the traditional defensive mindset of tucking the chin and turning away. In no-gi, we obviously can’t use these exact mechanics, but understanding loop choke principles helps with other collar-based attacks in gi training and informs how we think about angle creation generally. One innovation we’ve developed is combining loop choke setups with rubber guard control - using the high guard position to feed the collar even deeper while your leg prevents their posture. Another variation we’ve found success with is the reverse loop choke, which loops in the unexpected direction and catches people who have learned to defend the standard version. The safety culture around chokes at 10th Planet is non-negotiable - we tap early, we release immediately, and we never ego-roll through submissions. The loop choke can put someone out fast if they don’t tap, so training it requires maturity and respect. Start slow, build the mechanics, and only increase intensity as both partners develop the sensitivity to train safely at higher speeds.