SAFETY: Loop Choke from Side Control targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Loss of consciousness from bilateral carotid artery compression. Release immediately upon tap.
The Loop Choke from Side Control is a deceptive gi-based blood choke that capitalizes on the perpendicular body alignment inherent to side control to create a collar-based strangling mechanism. Unlike many side control submissions that require significant positional transitions, the loop choke can be initiated by converting the existing crossface grip into a deep collar penetration and finishing by sprawling the hips back while maintaining chest-to-chest pressure. The technique is particularly effective as a counter to common side control escape attempts, since the bottom player’s turning and shrimping motions can inadvertently deepen the collar grip and accelerate the choke’s tightening.
The perpendicular body alignment creates unique finishing mechanics compared to mount-based collar chokes, relying more on horizontal pressure vectors and hip sprawl rather than gravity-assisted downward force. The crossface position provides a natural on-ramp to the collar grip, making the transition from control to submission threat nearly invisible to experienced opponents.
Practitioners who develop this technique gain a powerful addition to their side control submission chain, threatening the loop choke alongside Americanas, kimuras, and arm triangles to create a multi-layered attacking system that forces opponents into increasingly desperate escape attempts where each defensive reaction exposes a new vulnerability.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and jugular veins Starting Position: Side Control From Position: Side Control (Top) Success Rate: 55%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness from bilateral carotid artery compression | High | Immediate with proper release, potential for confusion lasting 30-60 seconds |
| Trachea damage from improper collar placement or crushing across the windpipe | Medium | 3-7 days for minor bruising, weeks for significant damage |
| Neck strain from defensive bridging or turning against a locked collar grip | 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 disengage to neutral position
- 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 | 55% |
| Failure | Side Control | 30% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Convert the crossface grip seamlessly into deep collar penet… | Prevent the deep collar grip from being established—once fou… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Convert the crossface grip seamlessly into deep collar penetration without telegraphing the submission attempt
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Maintain heavy chest pressure throughout setup to prevent escape and disguise the transition from control to attack
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The sprawl-based finish generates horizontal choking force that differs fundamentally from mount-based gravity finishes
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Opponent escape attempts create opportunities - turning deepens the collar, shrimping exposes the neck angle
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The loop configuration creates a self-tightening mechanism where resistance accelerates compression
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Hip control must be maintained throughout setup to prevent guard recovery before the choke is established
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Chain the loop choke threat with arm attacks to create unsolvable defensive dilemmas
Execution Steps
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Consolidate side control and establish dominant crossface: From solid side control, drive your crossface forearm firmly across the opponent’s jaw and neck, tur…
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Transition crossface hand to deep far-collar grip: While maintaining chest pressure and hip control, slide your crossface hand from across their jaw di…
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Secure near-side lapel grip to form the loop configuration: Release your hip control hand and grab the opponent’s near-side lapel or collar near their shoulder…
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Thread choking forearm across the neck using collar tension: With both grips established, begin walking your deep collar grip hand outward while pulling the near…
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Begin sprawling hips back to generate horizontal tension: Start moving your hips away from the opponent by sprawling backward while keeping your chest and sho…
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Create diagonal pulling vectors for bilateral compression: Pull your deep collar grip toward your same-side hip while drawing the near lapel grip across their …
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Apply controlled finishing pressure with shoulder drive: Gradually increase choking pressure by continuing the hip sprawl while driving your shoulder into th…
Common Mistakes
-
Telegraphing the collar grip by removing crossface pressure before establishing the collar penetration
- Consequence: Opponent recognizes the submission attempt immediately and frames against the collar entry, tucking their chin to block insertion entirely
- Correction: The crossface-to-collar transition must be seamless. Keep forearm pressure on their neck as you slide your hand into the collar—the fabric maintains the pressure your forearm was providing. Never lift your arm away from their neck to reach for the collar.
-
Shallow collar grip that only reaches the front of the neck rather than past the trachea
- Consequence: Creates an air choke on the windpipe that is ineffective, uncomfortable, and increases tracheal injury risk without producing a blood choke
- Correction: Feed the grip deep enough that four fingers pass the trachea and reach toward the back of the neck. Use your chest pressure to create slack in the collar, giving your hand room to penetrate deeper before the fabric tightens.
-
Releasing hip control too early when reaching for the lapel grip, creating a guard recovery window
- Consequence: Opponent inserts a knee or recovers half guard before the loop is established, losing side control for a failed submission attempt
- Correction: Before releasing the hip-control hand for the lapel grip, shift your knee or thigh to block their near hip as a replacement barrier. Only release the hand once your leg has taken over hip control responsibilities.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Prevent the deep collar grip from being established—once four fingers pass the trachea from the crossface position, defensive options diminish dramatically
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Monitor the crossface hand constantly for any sliding motion toward the collar, as this is the primary entry point for the choke from side control
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Keep chin tucked and near-side hand actively defending the collar opening to physically 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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Time bridge and shrimp escapes to the moment the attacker releases hip control to reach for the lapel grip
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Never extend both arms simultaneously to push the attacker away, as this exposes them to Americana and kimura attacks
Recognition Cues
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The attacker’s crossface hand begins sliding deeper into your collar rather than maintaining standard forearm pressure across your jaw—you feel fingers entering the collar fabric
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The attacker releases their hip control hand and reaches toward your near-side lapel or collar while maintaining chest pressure
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You feel the collar fabric tightening around both sides of your neck simultaneously rather than just crossface pressure across one side
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The attacker begins sprawling their hips back while driving their shoulder forward into your neck or jaw, creating stretching tension through the collar
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Your breathing becomes more difficult as collar pressure wraps around the circumference of your neck rather than pressing across one direction
Escape Paths
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Block the collar insertion early with chin tuck and near hand, then execute a standard elbow escape or hip escape to recover half guard while the attacker has no submission threat established
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Bridge explosively when the attacker reaches for the secondary lapel grip, timing the upa to the moment their hip-control hand is occupied, and shrimp to recover closed guard or half guard
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Strip the lapel grip using two-on-one control, then immediately insert a knee shield to recover half guard before the attacker can re-establish the loop configuration
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Loop Choke from Side Control leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.