The Short Choke Attack is a highly efficient strangle executed from the Gift Wrap position that capitalizes on the opponent’s compromised defensive capability. With one arm already trapped across their body, the defender has severely limited ability to protect their neck, making this choke significantly higher percentage than standard rear naked choke attempts from back control.
The mechanics of the Short Choke differ from traditional rear naked chokes in that you use the opponent’s own trapped arm as part of the choking structure. Your free arm slides under the chin and connects to your bicep or forearm of the Gift Wrap controlling arm, creating a figure-four configuration that compresses both sides of the neck. This structure requires less space to establish than a standard RNC because you’re not threading a second arm behind the head.
Strategically, the Short Choke represents the most direct submission threat from Gift Wrap and should be viewed as the primary attack from this position. When the opponent defends the Short Choke by tucking their chin or using their free hand, this creates openings for secondary attacks including armbar on the free arm, transition to crucifix, or advancement to mounted positions. Understanding this attack tree transforms the Gift Wrap into a systematic submission hunting position rather than a static control.
From Position: Gift Wrap (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
- Use opponent’s trapped arm as integral part of choking structure rather than ignoring it
- Chin-to-chest connection prevents choke entry - create angle to bypass chin
- Figure-four grip configuration maximizes compression with minimal space requirement
- Gift Wrap arm position must remain high across chest to support choke mechanics
- Patience in grip setting prevents telegraphing and opponent defensive preparation
- Free arm defense by opponent opens secondary attacks - maintain threat to keep options
- Chest-to-back pressure flattens opponent and reduces their defensive mobility
Prerequisites
- Gift Wrap control fully established with opponent’s arm trapped high across their chest
- Back control maintained with hooks in or body triangle secured
- Opponent’s chin is exposed or accessible through angle manipulation
- Free arm positioning allows you to slide under opponent’s chin without obstruction
- Chest-to-back connection maintained to prevent opponent from creating defensive space
Execution Steps
- Consolidate Gift Wrap: Ensure the trapped arm is pulled high across opponent’s chest toward their opposite shoulder. Verify your threading arm maintains wrist or forearm control with elbow tight to their body.
- Flatten opponent: Drive your hips forward into opponent’s lower back while pulling their trapped arm tight. This flattens them toward the mat and compromises their ability to create defensive angles or use explosive bridging.
- Clear chin access: If opponent’s chin is tucked, use your free hand to push against their forehead or use skull friction to tilt the head. Create angle by rotating your body slightly to access the space under their chin from the side.
- Thread choking arm: Slide your free arm under opponent’s chin from the side closest to their trapped arm. Your forearm should contact the front of their throat with your elbow positioned directly under their chin for maximum choking leverage.
- Connect figure-four: Grip your Gift Wrap controlling arm’s bicep or forearm with your choking hand. The exact grip depends on arm length and positioning, but the connection should create a closed loop around opponent’s neck using their own trapped arm as part of the structure.
- Apply finishing pressure: Squeeze elbows together while expanding your chest and arching slightly backward. The compression comes from all directions simultaneously - your forearm on the front of the neck and the figure-four configuration creating lateral pressure on both carotid arteries.
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 55% |
| Failure | Gift Wrap | 30% |
| Counter | Back Control | 15% |
Opponent Counters
- Chin tuck with shoulder shrug to prevent arm threading under chin (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Use angle changes and forehead pressure to create access; alternatively, switch to armbar attack on the free arm while they focus on chin defense → Leads to Gift Wrap
- Free hand grip fighting to prevent figure-four connection (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain pressure and wait for their grip to fatigue; their free arm defending the choke opens pathways to armbar or transition to crucifix → Leads to Gift Wrap
- Explosive bridge and roll attempt to escape back position entirely (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Absorb the bridge with forward hip pressure; if they roll, follow and maintain back control or transition to mounted Gift Wrap → Leads to Back Control
- Turning toward attacker to face them and reduce choke angle (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Follow rotation and transition to mounted Gift Wrap or technical mount while maintaining arm trap; this actually improves your position → Leads to Gift Wrap
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary goal of Short Choke Attack? A: The primary goal is to achieve a blood choke finish by threading your free arm under the opponent’s chin and connecting to your Gift Wrap controlling arm in a figure-four configuration. The trapped arm becomes part of the choking structure, creating compression on both carotid arteries that produces unconsciousness if not released.
Q2: What position do you start Short Choke Attack from? A: This technique starts from Gift Wrap Top position, where you have back control established and one of the opponent’s arms is trapped across their body. The trapped arm is controlled by threading your arm under their armpit and gripping their wrist or forearm on the opposite side.
Q3: What are the key grips needed for Short Choke Attack? A: The Short Choke requires maintaining your Gift Wrap control grip (threading arm controlling opponent’s trapped wrist/forearm) while your free arm threads under the chin and connects in a figure-four configuration to your Gift Wrap arm’s bicep or forearm. The combination creates a closed loop using the opponent’s own arm as part of the structure.
Q4: How do you counter an opponent who tucks their chin tightly to prevent the Short Choke entry? A: Create angle by rotating your body slightly to bypass the chin from the side rather than directly from behind. Apply forehead pressure with your free hand to tilt their head. Alternatively, accept the chin defense and switch to armbar attack on their free arm, which is now exposed because they’re using it to supplement chin defense.
Q5: When is the best time to attempt Short Choke Attack? A: Attempt the Short Choke when Gift Wrap control is fully consolidated with the trapped arm high across the chest, when the opponent is flattened by your hip pressure reducing their defensive mobility, and when their free arm is occupied with grip fighting or trapped in your hooks. The ideal window opens when they exhaust defensive options and momentarily relax.
Q6: Your opponent starts using their free hand to block your choking arm from threading under their chin. How do you respond? A: Maintain pressure and let their arm fatigue from the constant defensive effort. Their free arm blocking the choke opens pathways to armbar attack since that arm is now isolated and extended. You can also threaten the armbar to force them to retract the hand, then immediately thread the choke. The key is recognizing this as opportunity rather than obstacle.
Q7: What mechanical details make the Short Choke more efficient than a standard rear naked choke from Gift Wrap? A: The Short Choke uses the opponent’s own trapped arm as part of the choking structure, eliminating the need to thread a second arm behind their head. This requires less space to establish and works with their compromised defensive position. The figure-four configuration creates compression from multiple angles with the forearm on the throat and the arm loop providing lateral pressure.
Q8: If the Short Choke fails and the opponent defends successfully, what are your immediate chain attack options? A: Chain options include: armbar on the free arm (especially effective if they used it to defend the choke), transition to crucifix by controlling their free arm with your leg, advancement to technical mount while maintaining Gift Wrap, or reset to rear naked choke attempt if they’ve exhausted energy defending. The Gift Wrap position provides multiple branching attack paths.
Q9: Your opponent explosively bridges and rolls while you are mid-choke attempt. What is the critical adjustment? A: Drive your hips forward into their lower back to absorb the bridge energy before it generates momentum. Keep your chest glued to their back and tighten your hooks or body triangle. If they complete the roll, follow the rotation and transition to mounted Gift Wrap, which actually improves your attacking position. Never abandon the arm trap during their bridge attempt.
Q10: What is the correct direction of force when applying the finishing squeeze on the Short Choke? A: Squeeze your elbows together toward the centerline while simultaneously expanding your chest and arching slightly backward. The forearm compresses the front of the neck while the figure-four loop creates bilateral pressure on both carotid arteries. Force must compress inward from all sides rather than pulling backward, which would create a crank rather than a clean blood choke.
Safety Considerations
The Short Choke Attack is a blood choke that compresses the carotid arteries and can produce unconsciousness within seconds when properly applied. Training partners must tap immediately when they feel the choke tighten. Attackers must release pressure instantly upon feeling a tap or verbal submission. Never hold a choke after the tap, and never apply the choke explosively or with cranking neck pressure. In drilling, apply the choke slowly to allow partners time to recognize and tap to the submission. Be especially careful with newer training partners who may not recognize the sensation of a blood choke versus an air choke. If a training partner loses consciousness, release immediately and position them in recovery position. The Short Choke should only be practiced under qualified instruction with attentive training partners.