The North-South Choke is a devastating blood choke executed from the North-South position, targeting both carotid arteries simultaneously through precise arm positioning and chest pressure. This technique exemplifies the principle of using body weight and structural alignment rather than muscular effort to create submission pressure. The choke becomes available when controlling an opponent from North-South, particularly when they focus on defending arm attacks or attempting to create space.
Strategically, the North-South Choke serves as a powerful complement to Kimura and Americana attacks from North-South position. When opponents defend these arm locks by keeping their elbows tight and hands connected, they often expose their neck to the choke setup. This creates a potent submission dilemma where defending one attack opens vulnerability to another. The technique is particularly effective in no-gi grappling where the lack of collar grips makes traditional chokes difficult.
The key mechanical principle involves threading your choking arm deep under the opponent’s neck while your chest drops onto their face, sealing the choke on both sides simultaneously. Unlike collar chokes that can stall or allow breathing, a properly applied North-South Choke produces unconsciousness within seconds due to bilateral carotid compression. This makes it one of the most efficient blood chokes in grappling when executed correctly.
From Position: North-South (Top) Success Rate: 55%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 55% |
| Failure | North-South | 30% |
| Counter | Half Guard | 15% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Thread choking arm deep under opponent’s neck before droppin… | Prevent the choking arm from threading under your neck by ma… |
| Options | 6 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Thread choking arm deep under opponent’s neck before dropping chest weight to ensure bilateral compression
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Use chest pressure on opponent’s face to seal the far-side carotid artery while bicep closes the near-side
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Keep hips low and sprawled to prevent opponent from creating space or bridging into escape
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Squeeze elbows together using structural alignment rather than pulling with arm strength alone
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Position your ear against opponent’s chest to maximize choking arm depth and compression angle
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Maintain constant downward pressure throughout the submission attempt without lifting to readjust
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Recognize when opponent is defending arms tightly as the ideal entry window for the choke
Execution Steps
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Establish North-South control: From side control or Kesa Gatame, transition to North-South by walking your body toward opponent’s h…
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Control opponent’s arms: Pin opponent’s near arm with your hip or trap it against your body. Their far arm should be controll…
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Thread choking arm under neck: Slide your choking arm deep under opponent’s neck from the side, threading until your bicep is posit…
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Drop ear to opponent’s chest: Lower your ear to opponent’s chest on the choking arm side. This positioning maximizes the depth of …
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Seal with chest pressure: Drop your chest weight onto opponent’s face and upper chest. Your sternum should press against their…
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Sprawl hips and squeeze elbows: Drive your hips to the mat in a full sprawl while squeezing your elbows together. The compression co…
Common Mistakes
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Threading choking arm before establishing proper North-South control
- Consequence: Opponent escapes easily because there is no weight holding them in place during the setup
- Correction: Establish heavy chest pressure and control opponent’s arms before beginning the choke sequence
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Keeping hips too high during the choke attempt
- Consequence: Opponent can bridge, create space, and either escape or recover guard
- Correction: Sprawl your hips low to the mat throughout the entire submission attempt
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Relying on arm strength rather than structural squeeze
- Consequence: Fatigue sets in quickly and the choke lacks sufficient pressure to finish
- Correction: Focus on squeezing elbows together and using chest weight rather than pulling with biceps
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Prevent the choking arm from threading under your neck by maintaining chin tuck and active frames against attacker’s chest
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Recognize the choke setup early during the arm-threading phase when defense is still possible, not after the squeeze begins
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Create frames with forearms against attacker’s chest to maintain space and prevent the sternum-to-face seal that closes the far-side carotid
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Use hip escape and bridging to create space before the attacker’s hips sprawl and anchor their weight
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Keep elbows tight to prevent arm isolation that would expose the neck and eliminate your framing ability
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Time your explosive escape attempts during the attacker’s weight shifts as they transition from control to choke setup
Recognition Cues
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Attacker begins sliding one arm under your neck from the side while maintaining North-South chest pressure, indicating the threading phase has started
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Attacker drops their head toward your chest on one side, positioning their ear against you to maximize arm depth under your neck
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Attacker’s non-choking hand moves to control or pin your far arm, clearing the path for chest seal on your face
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Attacker’s hips suddenly sprawl lower as they commit to the choke, increasing downward pressure and restricting your hip movement
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You feel increasing pressure on one side of your neck combined with chest weight on your face or jaw, indicating both compression points are being established
Defensive Options
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Frame against attacker’s chest with both forearms and bridge to create space before arm threads deep - When: As soon as you feel the attacker begin sliding their arm under your neck during the initial threading phase
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Hip escape toward the choking arm side while framing against attacker’s shoulder to create angle and recover guard - When: When the attacker commits weight to one side during the choke setup, creating a momentary gap on the choking arm side
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Tuck chin tight and fight the threading arm with both hands, stripping the grip before it seats under your neck - When: Early in the setup when the attacker’s arm is not yet deep under your neck and you can still access it with your hands
Position Integration
The North-South Choke integrates into the North-South control system as a primary submission threat that complements arm attacks. From side control or Kesa Gatame, transitioning to North-South opens the submission dilemma between Kimura, Americana, and the North-South Choke. Opponents who successfully defend must expend significant energy, and their defensive reactions often open alternative attacks. When the choke fails, you maintain North-South control and can continue attacking arms or transition to other dominant positions like mount via knee-on-belly. The position also connects to front headlock attacks if opponent turns into you during escape attempts.