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 leverages the perpendicular body alignment to create a devastating collar-based blood choke that capitalizes on the attacker’s existing crossface position. From side control, the practitioner transitions their crossface grip into a deep collar penetration on the far side, then establishes a secondary lapel grip to form the loop configuration. The finishing mechanics rely on sprawling the hips back while driving shoulder pressure forward, creating a vice-like compression on the carotid arteries. This technique is uniquely suited to side control because the bottom player’s most common escape attempts—turning in, shrimping, and inserting frames—can inadvertently deepen the collar grip and accelerate the choke. The loop choke integrates naturally into the side control submission chain, serving as both a primary attack and a transition threat that opens pathways to arm triangles, Americanas, and kimuras when defended. The subtlety of converting a controlling crossface into a submission grip makes this one of the most deceptive attacks available from side control.
From Position: Side Control (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Loop Choke from Side Control?
- Convert the crossface grip seamlessly into deep collar penetration without telegraphing the submission attempt
- Maintain heavy chest pressure throughout setup to prevent escape and disguise the transition from control to attack
- The sprawl-based finish generates horizontal choking force that differs fundamentally from mount-based gravity finishes
- Opponent escape attempts create opportunities - turning deepens the collar, shrimping exposes the neck angle
- The loop configuration creates a self-tightening mechanism where resistance accelerates compression
- Hip control must be maintained throughout setup to prevent guard recovery before the choke is established
- Chain the loop choke threat with arm attacks to create unsolvable defensive dilemmas
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Loop Choke from Side Control?
- Establish solid side control with crossface pressure driving opponent’s head away from you
- Control opponent’s near-side hip with your bottom hand to prevent guard recovery during grip transitions
- Ensure opponent’s far collar is accessible and not trapped under their body or tucked under their chin
- Pin opponent’s near-side arm or limit their framing ability before transitioning the crossface grip to collar
- Maintain chest-to-chest connection with weight distributed across opponent’s upper body throughout setup
- Confirm your hips are low and heavy, providing base stability for the grip transition phase
Execution Steps
How do you execute Loop Choke from Side Control step by step?
- Consolidate side control and establish dominant crossface: From solid side control, drive your crossface forearm firmly across the opponent’s jaw and neck, turning their head away from you. Your bottom hand controls their far hip to prevent knee insertion. Distribute your weight through your chest onto their upper torso, keeping your hips low and heavy. This control phase ensures the opponent is pinned and reactive before you begin converting the position into a submission threat. (Timing: 3-5 seconds)
- Transition crossface hand to deep far-collar grip: While maintaining chest pressure and hip control, slide your crossface hand from across their jaw directly into their far collar, feeding four fingers deep past the trachea toward the back of their neck. The key is making this transition fluid—your forearm pressure across their neck is maintained by the collar fabric itself as your hand slides inside. Use your chest weight to compensate for the momentary loss of active crossface pressure during the grip change. The deeper you penetrate, the more effective the eventual choke. (Timing: 2-3 seconds)
- 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. This creates the loop configuration—one hand deep in the far collar, the other controlling the near lapel. The two grips now form opposing anchor points that will create the choking mechanism. Immediately re-establish hip control by shifting your knee or thigh to block their near hip, compensating for the lost hand control. The transition must be quick to prevent guard recovery. (Timing: 1-2 seconds)
- 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 lapel across their throat. Your forearm should now lie diagonally across the front of their neck with the collar fabric creating a constricting band on both sides. The collar itself becomes the choking mechanism—your forearm serves as the fulcrum that presses the fabric into both carotid arteries simultaneously. Adjust your elbow angle so the forearm bone sits across the centerline of their neck. (Timing: 2-3 seconds)
- Begin sprawling hips back to generate horizontal tension: Start moving your hips away from the opponent by sprawling backward while keeping your chest and shoulder pressure driving forward into their upper body. This creates opposing forces—your upper body drives toward their head while your hips pull away, stretching the collar tight across their neck. The sprawl should be gradual and controlled, not explosive. Your knees stay on the mat for stability as your hips extend. This horizontal tension is the primary choking force from side control, replacing the gravitational pressure used from mount. (Timing: 2-3 seconds)
- 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 neck toward your opposite shoulder. This creates crossing diagonal forces that tighten the collar loop symmetrically around both sides of the neck. Your forearms form an X-pattern across their throat, with the collar fabric compressing the carotid arteries bilaterally. The combination of diagonal grip tension and horizontal sprawl pressure creates a compound strangling mechanism that is extremely difficult to escape once fully applied. (Timing: 2-3 seconds)
- Apply controlled finishing pressure with shoulder drive: Gradually increase choking pressure by continuing the hip sprawl while driving your shoulder into their jaw or neck. The choke should tighten progressively over 3-5 seconds. Monitor your partner closely for tap signals—hand taps, foot taps, verbal submission, or any loss of resistance. A properly applied loop choke attacks the carotid arteries bilaterally and produces a rapid tapping response. If no tap occurs within 5-6 seconds of committed pressure, the grip positioning is likely incorrect. Release pressure, reset your grips, and re-attempt rather than forcing an improperly positioned choke. (Timing: 3-5 seconds)
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 55% |
| Failure | Side Control | 30% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 15% |
Opponent Defenses
How might your opponent defend against Loop Choke from Side Control?
- Defender strips the near lapel grip before the loop configuration is established using two-on-one grip breaking (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: This is the most dangerous defense when executed early. If they focus on the lapel grip, their arms are extended and exposed—immediately transition to Americana on the stripping arm or switch to an arm triangle by clamping their extended arm against their neck. The grip-stripping motion creates arm isolation opportunities. → Leads to Side Control
- Defender tucks chin aggressively and frames against your hips to prevent collar deepening (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: If the chin blocks collar access, use your chest pressure to force their head sideways while walking your collar grip deeper around the side of their neck. Alternatively, threaten Americana or kimura on their framing arm to force them to retract the frames, reopening collar access. Their chin tuck becomes less effective once the grip is already past the trachea. → Leads to Side Control
- Defender shrimps away explosively to create distance and recover guard before choke is locked (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow their hip escape by maintaining collar grip and driving your shoulder forward. Their shrimping motion can actually tighten the collar around their neck if you maintain grip depth. If they create significant distance, use the collar grip as an anchor to pull yourself back into chest-to-chest contact. The collar grip gives you a tether that makes their shrimp less effective than against standard side control. → Leads to Closed Guard
- Defender turns into you attempting to go to turtle position to escape the collar pressure (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: The turning motion is advantageous for you—it deepens the collar grip and wraps the fabric tighter around their neck. Follow their turn by sprawling your hips and maintaining the collar tension. You can finish the loop choke as they turn, or transition to a clock choke or back take if the loop fails. Their turning motion accelerates the choking mechanism. → Leads to Side Control