SAFETY: Short Choke from Back Control targets the Carotid arteries. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to loss of consciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Short Choke from Back Control is a gi-based blood choke that leverages the attacker’s dominant position behind the opponent to establish deep cross-collar grips targeting both carotid arteries. Unlike the Rear Naked Choke which relies on forearm-to-bicep compression, this technique uses the opponent’s own gi collar fabric to create a tight cinching mechanism around the neck. The attacker feeds one hand deep into the far-side collar from behind, then grips the near-side collar with the other hand, keeping the distance between grips minimal for maximum choking pressure.
What makes this choke particularly dangerous from back control is the defender’s inability to see the grips being established. The natural seatbelt position provides direct collar access, and the transition from harness control to collar grips can happen before the defender recognizes the threat. Once both grips are set, the short distance between hands means the choke reaches full arterial compression rapidly, leaving a narrow defensive window. The hooks or body triangle maintain positional control throughout the finishing sequence, preventing escape during choke application.
Strategically, the Short Choke serves as a high-percentage complement to the Rear Naked Choke from back control. When defenders focus hand fighting on preventing the RNC by protecting below the chin, they often leave collar access exposed along the neck. This creates a systematic attacking dilemma where defending one choking threat opens vulnerability to the other. The gi collar provides a mechanical advantage that bare hands cannot replicate, producing a choke that is extremely difficult to strip once the cross-collar grip achieves proper depth past the centerline of the neck.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries Starting Position: Back Control From Position: Back Control (Top) Success Rate: 58%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Carotid artery compression leading to loss of consciousness | High | Immediate recovery if released promptly; potential for confusion lasting 30-60 seconds |
| Trachea compression if technique is misapplied | Medium | 1-3 days of throat soreness; seek medical attention if breathing difficulty persists |
| Neck strain from rotational pressure | Low | 2-5 days with rest |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum in training
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap or verbal signal
- Physical hand tap on partner or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any distress signal including body going limp
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release lapel grip and remove all pressure from neck
- Remove your weight from opponent’s torso to allow breathing
- Check partner’s consciousness and breathing status
- If partner is unconscious, elevate legs and monitor airway
- Never apply the choke again in the same training session if unconsciousness occurred
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply sudden jerking motions with the lapel
- Never continue pressure after tap signal
- Never practice on partners with neck injuries or medical conditions
- Always ensure partner can tap with at least one hand
- Never use competition speed during initial learning phases
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 58% |
| Failure | Back Control | 27% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Establish first collar grip to full depth past the neck cent… | Defend collar grip insertion before it achieves depth past t… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 3 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Establish first collar grip to full depth past the neck centerline before transitioning the second hand
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Maintain hooks or body triangle throughout the entire choke sequence to prevent positional escape
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Use chest expansion and elbow retraction to finish rather than isolated arm squeezing for stronger compression
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Keep constant chest-to-back pressure during grip transitions to prevent opponent from creating defensive space
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Treat collar grip depth as non-negotiable: a shallow grip wastes energy and alerts the defender without producing a finish
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Create attacking dilemmas by threatening both RNC and collar choke, forcing the defender to choose which to defend
Execution Steps
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Secure positional base: Confirm both hooks are deep inside opponent’s thighs with your heels driving inward, or body triangl…
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Threaten RNC to occupy hands: Begin hand fighting toward the RNC position by walking your over-the-shoulder hand toward the chin. …
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Insert first collar grip: Redirect your over-the-shoulder hand from the RNC threat to the far-side gi collar. Feed four finger…
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Consolidate first grip depth: Before moving your second hand, test grip depth by applying slight inward pressure with the collar h…
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Transition second hand to collar: Release the underhook hand from the seatbelt and immediately grip the near-side collar close to your…
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Apply finishing pressure: With both collar grips set, expand your chest forward into the opponent’s back while simultaneously …
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Monitor and adjust: If the choke is not producing a tap, micro-adjust by walking your dominant grip slightly deeper or s…
Common Mistakes
-
Inserting first collar grip too shallow without reaching past the centerline of the neck
- Consequence: Creates a loose collar configuration that produces only tracheal pressure instead of arterial compression, causing discomfort without effective blood choke and allowing the defender time to strip grips
- Correction: Use finger-walking technique to incrementally deepen grip, confirming knuckles have passed the neck centerline before transitioning the second hand
-
Releasing seatbelt control before establishing the first collar grip
- Consequence: Loses upper body control during the transition window, allowing the defender to initiate escape sequences or strip the collar grip attempt with both free hands
- Correction: Maintain seatbelt grip with underhook hand while the over-the-shoulder hand establishes collar grip first, only releasing seatbelt after first grip is confirmed deep
-
Neglecting hook control during choke application by focusing entirely on collar grips
- Consequence: Defender strips hooks and escapes back control entirely, negating the choke attempt and losing the dominant position
- Correction: Drive heels inward with active hook pressure throughout the choke attempt, or establish body triangle before committing to collar grip transitions
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Defend collar grip insertion before it achieves depth past the neck centerline, as early intervention is exponentially more effective than late defense
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Use two-on-one grip control on the entering hand to strip or block collar access rather than fighting both hands simultaneously
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Maintain chin tuck and shoulder shrug to create a physical barrier against collar depth while hand fighting
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Recognize the transition from seatbelt to collar grip as the primary defensive window when attacker control temporarily weakens
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Tap early and decisively once bilateral collar compression is established with proper depth, as this choke reaches full effect rapidly
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Combine grip defense with active escape attempts rather than purely reactive hand fighting that only delays the finish
Recognition Cues
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Feeling the attacker’s over-the-shoulder hand release from seatbelt position and redirect toward your collar rather than under your chin
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Fingers entering the gi collar fabric near the side of your neck, often with a distinctive pulling or gathering sensation of the collar material
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Collar tightening progressively around your neck as the attacker walks their grip deeper using finger-walking technique
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Attacker’s second hand releasing from underhook seatbelt position, indicating they are committing to dual collar grips for the choke
Escape Paths
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Strip collar grip with two-on-one control and immediately initiate back escape sequence through hip escape to half guard before attacker re-establishes grips
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Turn toward choking side while driving hooks off with hip movement, transitioning through turtle to half guard or closed guard recovery
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Short Choke from Back Control leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.