The Cross Collar Choke from High Mount is one of the most fundamental and high-percentage gi submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Executed from the dominant high mount position, this blood choke applies bilateral pressure to the carotid arteries using the opponent’s own lapels, creating unconsciousness in seconds when applied correctly. The technique requires precise grip placement and understanding of collar mechanics rather than raw strength.
Strategically, the Cross Collar Choke serves as a primary finishing option from mount that creates immediate threat requiring defensive reaction. When the opponent defends the choke by bringing their arms up to fight the grips, they expose themselves to armbar attacks, creating a powerful submission chain. This dynamic makes the Cross Collar Choke valuable both as a finishing technique and as a positional control tool that limits defensive options.
The choke’s effectiveness stems from its direct attack on blood flow rather than airway compression. The crossed grips on the collar create a scissoring action that closes both carotid arteries simultaneously, causing rapid loss of consciousness if the opponent fails to defend or tap. This mechanism makes the technique extremely efficient against resisting opponents who cannot simply power through the submission.
From Position: High Mount (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
- Establish the first grip deep in the collar, thumb inside, with knuckles pressing against the neck below the ear
- Maintain forward pressure and head control to prevent opponent from creating defensive frames
- The second grip must cross under the first hand, creating the scissoring mechanism essential for blood flow restriction
- Elbows drive down toward opponent’s hips while wrists rotate inward to maximize choking pressure
- Keep weight distributed forward over opponent’s chest to prevent bridging escapes during the finish
- Patience in grip establishment is more important than speed—rushed grips are shallow grips
Prerequisites
- High mount position established with knees positioned near opponent’s armpits
- Opponent’s posture broken with their shoulders flat on the mat
- At least one hand free to begin establishing the first collar grip
- Gi collar accessible and not overly tight or tucked
- Forward weight distribution preventing effective bridge attempts
Execution Steps
- Establish first grip: With your dominant hand, reach across to the opposite side collar. Insert your thumb inside the collar as deep as possible, ideally behind the neck seam, with your knuckles pressing firmly against the side of the neck below the ear.
- Secure head control: Use your gripping arm’s elbow to control the opponent’s head, preventing them from turning away or creating defensive angles. Your forearm should rest against the side of their face, keeping their head centered and immobile.
- Clear defensive hands: Use your free hand to strip any defensive grips the opponent establishes on your choking arm. Push their defending hand toward their hip or pin it under your knee if possible, creating space for the second grip entry.
- Insert second grip: Slide your second hand under your first arm, reaching to the opposite collar with thumb inside. The second grip should be equally deep, with knuckles positioned against the other side of the neck. Your arms now form an X across the throat.
- Position elbows: Draw both elbows down toward the opponent’s hips while keeping your hands in place. This creates the scissoring action essential for the choke. Your forearms should now be pressing against both sides of the neck, not the front of the throat.
- Apply finishing pressure: Rotate your wrists inward while pulling your elbows toward each other and down toward your own hips. Lower your chest toward the opponent’s face to add upper body weight to the choke. Maintain steady, increasing pressure until the tap or unconsciousness occurs.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 58% |
| Failure | High Mount | 30% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 12% |
Opponent Counters
- Two-on-one grip fighting on the first hand (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Maintain elbow pressure against their head to prevent stripping, or switch to armbar attack on their extended defending arm → Leads to High Mount
- Bridge and roll escape attempt during grip establishment (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Base out with your free hand, ride the bridge, and continue pursuing grips once they settle. Their bridge commits their hips, preventing effective grip defense → Leads to Closed Guard
- Tucking chin to block collar access (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use cross-face pressure to turn their head, creating space for grip entry, or threaten Ezekiel choke to force chin elevation → Leads to High Mount
- Framing on biceps to prevent elbow movement (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Once both grips are established, their frames cannot prevent the scissoring action. Ignore the frames and apply finishing pressure → Leads to game-over
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary mechanical goal of the Cross Collar Choke? A: The primary goal is to apply bilateral compression to both carotid arteries simultaneously, restricting blood flow to the brain and causing unconsciousness within seconds. This blood choke is distinct from airway chokes and works by creating a scissoring action with crossed grips on the collar rather than crushing the windpipe.
Q2: What position prerequisites must exist before attempting the Cross Collar Choke? A: This technique starts from High Mount Top position, where your knees are positioned near the opponent’s armpits or shoulders. The opponent’s posture must be broken with shoulders flat on the mat, you need at least one hand free for the first grip, the gi collar must be accessible, and you must maintain forward weight distribution to prevent bridge escapes during grip establishment.
Q3: What specific grip configuration creates the choking mechanism? A: Two deep collar grips with thumbs inside the collar are required. The first grip reaches across to the opposite collar with knuckles pressing against the carotid below the ear. The second grip threads under the first arm to the other collar, creating the essential X-pattern across the throat that enables the scissoring mechanism for bilateral arterial compression.
Q4: Your opponent frames on your biceps as you try to drive elbows down - how do you adjust? A: If both grips are already established deep in the collar, their bicep frames cannot prevent the scissoring action. Drop your chest low toward their face to add body weight, then focus on rotating your wrists inward while pulling elbows toward each other rather than straight down. The scissoring comes from the wrist rotation combined with elbow adduction, not purely downward elbow movement.
Q5: What distinguishes a blood choke from an airway choke in Cross Collar technique? A: A blood choke compresses the carotid arteries on the sides of the neck, causing unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds. An airway choke crushes the windpipe, which is painful but takes much longer to cause submission. The Cross Collar Choke is properly applied as a blood choke—elbows driving down toward the hips creates lateral pressure on arteries, while flared elbows create frontal pressure on the airway.
Q6: Your opponent defends by grip fighting your first hand with both their hands - what attack does this open? A: When both their hands are committed to fighting your choking grip, their arms are extended and away from their body. This creates an armbar opportunity—release the collar grip and immediately attack the armbar on either extended arm. The choke threat becomes a setup for the armbar, creating the chain attack that makes mount so dangerous.
Q7: Why must the second grip go under rather than over the first arm? A: The under-position creates the scissoring mechanism essential for bilateral carotid compression. When arms cross with the second underneath, driving elbows down creates opposing diagonal forces that squeeze inward on both sides of the neck. If the second grip goes over, both arms push in the same direction, eliminating the scissoring effect and reducing the choke to ineffective frontal pressure.
Q8: When is the optimal timing window to begin establishing the first collar grip? A: The optimal time is when the opponent’s hands are occupied or pinned, such as after they fail a bridge attempt or when you have trapped one arm under your knee. Attacking during their defensive recovery windows, when their hands are transitioning between defensive positions, also provides grip establishment opportunities. Avoid initiating when both their hands are free and positioned to fight your grip.
Q9: How does the Cross Collar Choke integrate with other high mount attacks to create dilemmas? A: The Cross Collar Choke creates a submission chain where defending the choke exposes armbar opportunities, and defending the armbar re-exposes the collar. Combined with Ezekiel Choke when the opponent tucks their chin and Americana threats when they keep bent arms tight, the Cross Collar Choke is part of the high mount submission web that forces opponents to choose which attack to defend, inevitably leaving another attack open.
Q10: Your first grip is deep but the opponent is actively turning their head away from your choking arm - what adjustment maintains your attack? A: When the opponent turns their head, they actually expose the far side of their neck more, which can benefit your second grip entry. Use your elbow and forearm of the first gripping arm to cross-face and redirect their head back to center. If they persist in turning, follow their rotation by walking your knees to the same side, maintaining mount while using the head turn to create more collar slack on the exposed side for your second grip insertion.
Safety Considerations
The Cross Collar Choke is a blood choke that can cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds when applied correctly. Training partners must tap early and clearly—verbal taps are acceptable. The applying practitioner must release immediately upon tap or when unconsciousness is evident. Never apply full pressure during drilling; save 100% application for controlled sparring with trusted partners. If a training partner loses consciousness, release immediately, position them on their side, and they should recover within 10-15 seconds. Avoid training this technique if you have carotid artery issues, have recently had neck injury, or have blood pressure concerns. Always inform training partners of any neck sensitivity before mount sparring.