SAFETY: Loop Choke from Mount targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Loss of consciousness from carotid artery compression. Release immediately upon tap.
The Loop Choke from Mount is a devastating gi-based blood choke that leverages the attacker’s dominant top position to create an inescapable strangling mechanism using the opponent’s own collar. This technique exemplifies the principle of using positional control to set up high-percentage submissions. From mount, the practitioner feeds one hand deep into the opponent’s collar while securing the opposite side lapel with the other hand, creating a loop configuration that tightens around the neck as pressure is applied. The beauty of this submission lies in its ability to be applied from one of the most dominant positions in BJJ, making it extremely difficult to defend once properly set up. Unlike many other mount attacks that require significant positional shifts, the loop choke can be finished while maintaining full mount control, allowing the attacker to threaten the submission without compromising position. The technique works on a biomechanical principle where the opponent’s own collar becomes a noose, with the attacker’s grips creating opposing vectors of force that compress both carotid arteries simultaneously.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and jugular veins Starting Position: Mount From Position: Mount (Top) Success Rate: 58%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness from carotid artery compression | High | Immediate with proper release, potential for confusion lasting 30-60 seconds |
| Trachea damage from improper collar placement | Medium | 3-7 days for minor bruising, weeks for significant damage |
| Neck strain from defensive bridging against choke | Low | 1-3 days |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum from initial tightness to full pressure
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap or verbal statement of submission
- Physical hand tap on opponent’s body or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any distress signal including unusual sounds or loss of resistance
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release both collar grips completely
- Remove all chest pressure and sit back to neutral mount
- Check partner’s alertness and awareness before continuing
- Allow minimum 60 seconds recovery time before resuming training
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply sudden jerking or yanking motions with collar grips
- Never use competition speed in training - always give partner time to recognize and tap
- Never continue pressure after tap is felt or heard
- Always ensure training partner can freely tap with at least one hand
- Never practice on partners who are visibly fatigued or disoriented
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 60% |
| Failure | Mount | 25% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Maintain solid mount base throughout the setup and finish to… | Prevent the deep collar grip from being established - once f… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Maintain solid mount base throughout the setup and finish to prevent escapes
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Deep collar grip is essential - shallow grips result in air chokes rather than blood chokes
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The choke tightens through diagonal pulling vectors, not just downward pressure
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Opponent’s defensive frames can be used to help feed the initial collar grip deeper
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Weight distribution should pin opponent’s shoulders while allowing collar manipulation
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The loop configuration creates a self-tightening mechanism as opponent resists
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Timing the finish with opponent’s defensive movements increases effectiveness
Execution Steps
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Establish mount control and isolate near arm: From solid mount position, use your weight to pin opponent’s hips while simultaneously controlling o…
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Feed deep collar grip on far side: Reach across with your same-side hand (right hand to opponent’s left collar) and feed your hand deep…
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Secure opposite side lapel grip: While maintaining the deep collar grip, use your free hand to grab the opponent’s near-side lapel or…
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Adjust base and posture for finishing mechanics: Shift your weight slightly toward the side of your deep collar grip while maintaining mount control…
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Create diagonal pulling vectors: The finish involves pulling your deep collar grip toward your same-side hip while simultaneously pul…
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Apply controlled finishing pressure: Gradually increase pressure by pulling your grips in opposite diagonal directions while lowering you…
Common Mistakes
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Shallow collar grip that only reaches the front of the neck
- Consequence: Creates an ineffective air choke that takes much longer to work and causes unnecessary discomfort without proper blood choke mechanics
- Correction: Take time to feed the grip deep into the collar, getting your hand all the way past the trachea toward the back of the neck. Use your free hand to create space by pulling the collar away from their neck as you insert your choking hand.
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Rising too high in mount while attempting the choke, sacrificing base and stability
- Consequence: Opponent can easily bridge and roll, escaping mount and potentially reversing position
- Correction: Maintain low center of gravity with hips heavy on opponent’s torso. Your chest should lower toward their head as you finish, not rise away from them. Think of driving your weight through the choke rather than pulling upward.
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Pulling both grips in the same direction or straight down rather than creating diagonal opposing vectors
- Consequence: Choke doesn’t tighten properly and opponent can defend or escape
- Correction: Visualize making an ‘X’ with your forearms - one grip pulls toward your hip, the other pulls across their neck toward your opposite shoulder. The diagonal crossing motion is what creates the loop tightening mechanism.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Prevent the deep collar grip from being established - once four fingers are past the trachea, defensive options diminish dramatically
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Keep chin tucked and near-side hand actively defending the collar to block grip insertion attempts
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Strip the secondary lapel grip immediately if the deep collar grip is already established - the loop cannot form without both grips
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Use frames on attacker’s hips to prevent them from settling their weight and establishing the finishing posture
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Time bridge escapes to the moment when the attacker shifts weight to establish grips, exploiting their compromised base
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Never panic or waste energy on unfocused defensive movements - channel effort into specific grip stripping or bridge timing
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Accept that turning into the attacker may concede back exposure, but a scramble is preferable to a locked-in choke
Recognition Cues
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Attacker controls or traps your near-side arm while reaching across toward your far collar - this is the setup phase
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You feel four fingers sliding deep inside your collar on one side, with the attacker’s thumb pressing against the side of your neck
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Attacker’s second hand grabs your near-side lapel or collar after the deep grip is established, creating tension across your neck
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Attacker lowers their chest toward your head while maintaining mount, shifting weight forward to set the finishing angle
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You feel crossing pressure on both sides of your neck simultaneously, with the collar tightening around your carotid arteries rather than across your throat
Escape Paths
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Strip the secondary lapel grip and use the opening to execute a standard elbow escape, inserting your knee shield to recover half guard before the attacker can re-establish the loop configuration
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Bridge explosively when the attacker reaches for grips, timing the upa to the moment their posting hand leaves the mat, and follow through to closed guard or scramble to turtle
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Turn into the attacker to collapse the choke angle, then use the body-to-body contact to work toward turtle position and reset from a neutral scramble
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Loop Choke from Mount leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.