How Many Chokes Are There In BJJ? (Helpful List)

Chokes are among the most common BJJ submissions that result in a tap-out. Therefore, they are excellent weapons for submitting your opponent, even in the most competitive jiu-jitsu competitions.

You can set up a choke submission from the closed guard, mount, back mount, side control, half guard, and other positions. Choking techniques in BJJ or MMA leave your opponent with few options for escaping and put you far away from winning the fight.

Whether performed with or without the gi, Brazilian jiu-jitsu chokes are typically well-executed when done correctly. Continue reading to explore a comprehensive list of BJJ chokes, including the triangle choke, cross choke, Ezekiel choke, etc.

List of BJJ Chokes

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art that focuses on ground fighting and grappling. It has gained popularity due to its effectiveness in various techniques, with chokes among the most impactful.

Applying chokes requires precise setup and a deep understanding of human anatomy. Here are some essential chokes that you should know:

Triangle Choke

Source: Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

The triangle choke is one of the essential choke submissions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA. The good news is that you can get a triangle choke from almost every position, including the guard, mount, back mount, etc.

It is derived from the Judo martial art and is one of the most savage and practical submissions.

An attacker will get a triangle submission when he arrives to wrap his legs over the opponent’s neck and places one of the opponent’s arms inside his legs.

Aside from that, The triangle hold submission is among those blood chokes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. It creates a significant pressure level over the opponent’s neck, which causes blood flow to become disrupted.

Because of this, the opponent has few options other than to either tap out or go to sleep.

Cross Choke

Source: Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

The cross choke (the X-choke) is a strong collar choke submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It is one of the most compelling submissions in BJJ martial arts due to its efficiency.

As a result, various competitors, like Roger Gracie, had used this choke type in the top competitions.

The cross-choke mechanism relies on applying enough pressure on the opponent’s carotid arteries on both sides. It is a blood choke that will put the opponent to sleep unless he taps out first.

Moreover, this type of choke can be done from several Brazilian jiu-jitsu positions, including the guard mount, side control, etc. But, the cross choke’s position with the highest percentage is most likely the mount position.

Ezekiel Choke

Source: The Grappling Academy

The Ezekiel choke is among the most enthralling submissions in jiu-jitsu gi/no-gi, self-defense, and mixed martial arts. It’s practical and likely unpredictable, but many practitioners struggle to master this submission.

This is an airflow choke that, in rare instances, may also be a blood choke. Regardless, it is one of the most exciting submissions in combat sports, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu (Gi and No-Gi), mixed martial arts (MMA), Judo, and other disciplines.

Moreover, this type of BJJ choke can be accomplished practically anywhere, including the full mount, closed guard, side control, half guard, etc. However, the full mount is likely the best position to perform the Ezekiel choke in BJJ or MMA.

Arm Triangle Choke

Source: Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

The arm triangle choke is one of the most potent choke submissions. It is one of the most effective head-arm chokes you should learn from your early days on the mat.

This choke technique is identical to the traditional BJJ triangle, except the attacker utilizes his arms rather than his legs to complete the submission. It is among those blood chokes that put massive pressure on the opponent’s carotid arteries.

You can achieve an arm-triangle choke from various positions, including side control, full mount, north-south, half guard, standing position, etc. But, the side control is more likely the best place to finish an arm triangle in jiu-jitsu or MMA.

Related: Arm Triangle Choke Tips And Tricks You Need To Know

Guillotine Choke

Source: Knight Jiu-Jitsu

The guillotine choke is one of the best choke variations in BJJ grappling and mixed martial arts championships. It is one of the most effective attacks you should learn and apply.

This excellent submission can be applied from the front of the opponent’s body while standing and from the ground. And it necessitates using one or two arms around the opponent’s neck like a guillotine.

Aside from that, this type of jiu-jitsu choke puts undesirable pressure on the opponent’s blood vessels that provide oxygenated blood to the large front region of the brain. Consequently, the opponent will go unconscious unless he taps out.

Related article: Guillotine Choke Tips And Tricks You Need To Know

Loop Choke

Source: Chewjitsu

The loop choke is one of the fundamental Brazilian jiu-jitsu Gi chokes out there. You can learn from your early training days. It’s an effective collar choke and easy to understand and apply against any BJJ opponent.

But, it is one of the most challenging chokes because it demands a good understanding of choking fundamentals.

The loop choke requires that you use your hand to grip your opponent’s collar and loop it under his chin. Consequently, the loop choke comes under blood chokes in BJJ martial arts.

As a result, it prevents oxygen from reaching the brain by squeezing the blood vessels in the neck.

Aside from that, this type of BJJ choke can be executed from various positions, including the closed guard, side control, half guard, turtle, and so on. However, the ideal BJJ positions for the loop choke are most likely the bottom closed guard, bottom half guard, and open guard.

In this article, you may read and learn more about the loop choke submission: Loop Choke Tips and Tricks You Should Know.

Bow And Arrow Choke

Source: ROYDEAN

The bow and arrow choke is one of the most effective BJJ choke submissions in competitions. Therefore, various savage competitors in major grappling events used this high percentage choke in their game plan to tap the most dangerous fighters.

This choke type necessitates using the opponent’s gi collar. According to the study, the bow and arrow choke will put tremendous pressure on the opponent’s carotid arteries.

Consequently, it falls into the same category as other gi jiu-jitsu chokes, known as blood chokes.

Qside from that, you can complete the bow and arrow choke from any position that offers access to the opponent’s collar, including the back mount, turtle, side control, etc. But, the famous one is, without doubt, the back mount. 

Learn more about finishing a bow and arrow choke in this article: Bow and Arrow Choke Tips and Tricks You Should Know.

Baseball Bat Choke

Source: Chewjitsu

The baseball bat choke is one of the most devastating submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gi and No-Gi. It’s a fantastic choke trusted by various savage competitors in major grappling events because it’s effective, fast, and often unpredictable.

This is a blood and air choke that provokes massive pressure on the opponent’s carotid arteries, forcing him to tap out or go to sleep.

Aside from that, The baseball choke is a BJJ performed from several positions, including the guard, side control, knee ride, etc. However, the most suitable position to achieve this choke variation is, without doubt, the knee on the belly (knee ride).

Learn more about the baseball bat choke in this article: Baseball Bat Choke Tips and Tricks You Should Know.

Paper Cutter Choke

Source: Chewjitsu

The paper cutter choke is among the most dangerous and difficult Brazilian jiu-jitsu. You can perform this choke submission in both gi and no-gi from several positions, including the mount, side control, etc.

As a result, as a beginner or advanced practitioner, you will enjoy executing a paper cutter choke since your early days on the mats.

This choke type necessitates the use of the opponent’s collar and a careful distribution of your weight.

Aside from that, the paper cutter choke is included in the blood and air chokes category for jiu-jitsu grappling.

Recommended: The Ultimate Guide to Side Control Chokes

North-South Choke

The north-south choke is a fantastic submission in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.

As crucial as the guillotine, triangle, and other BJJ moves, the north-south choke is one of the most successful BJJ attacks and deserves to be included in your attacking game.

Therefore, to succeed as a fighter, you must study and practice this submission technique from the beginning of your career.

Moreover, the north-south choke is a superb Brazilian jiu-jitsu choke submission that can be performed with and without a gi.

Many fighters cannot resist or predict it is a terrific choke technique. However, it is underestimated by many practitioners.

Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the north-south choke is the application of sufficient pressure on the opponent’s neck.

As a result, this choke submission comes under blood chokes, which will send the opponent to sleep if he does not tap out at the appropriate moment.

Anaconda Choke

The anaconda choke is a strong submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. It is one of the most efficient attacks in ground combat alongside the guillotine, d’arce choke, arm triangle, and other similar techniques.

This is a powerful BJJ choke technique that produces intense pressure on an opponent’s head and arm. It is among those blood chokes in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA.

Aside from that, The anaconda choke is one of the best chokes in jiu-jitsu that you can achieve from numerous positions like the turtle, side control, etc. But the best and most famous position is, without a doubt, the turtle position

You’ll learn more about the anaconda choke in this article: Anaconda choke submission tips and tricks.

D’Arce Choke

The d’arce choke is a powerful submission in BJJ and mixed martial arts. It is one of the most efficient attacks in the world-renowned ground-fighting championships.

This technique is among the most effective head-arm chokes in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and MMA. And, it’s referred to as the Brabo choke in Gi jiu-jitsu, and it works the same way as the anaconda choke.

The darce choke attacker will utilize his arm as deeply to manipulate and produce massive pressure on the opponent’s neck. As a result, this choke falls under the family of blood chokes.

Aside from that, you can perform this choke technique from various positions, such as the turtle, side control, north-south, half guard, knee ride, and so on. However, the top half guard and the knee ride are often famous for getting a d’arce choke submission.

Learn more about this great submission in this article: How To Do The D’arce Choke?

Rear-Naked Choke

Source: BJJ Fanatics

The rear-naked choke is effective and widely used in BJJ. It involves positioning yourself behind your opponent, securing a grip around their neck, and applying pressure to the carotid arteries. The versatile technique can be used in various positions, making it a staple for practitioners of all levels.

Different Types of Chokes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques utilize chokes as effective methods for gaining control over opponents. These chokes can be categorized into two types: blood chokes and air chokes.

Blood chokes

Blood chokes restrict blood flow to the brain, leading to a loss of consciousness. To ensure effectiveness while minimizing the risk of injury, precise application and control are crucial.

However, if executed improperly, blood chokes can pose significant risks. It is essential for practitioners to understand the physiological effects of blood chokes and the dangers associated with their application.

Air chokes

Air chokes primarily target the airways, leading to a restriction of oxygen supply. Understanding the mechanics of air chokes is necessary for practitioners to use these techniques effectively and responsibly.

Blood Vs Air Chokes

Ssource: David Abbasi, MD

Differentiating between blood and air chokes is critical to comprehend their respective applications and the potential outcomes they yield during combat situations. Knowing the key differences between these two types of chokes can significantly impact their effectiveness in various scenarios.

Final Thoughts

Chokes are among the best submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, self-defense, etc. They are among the most effective attacks since they are so subtle that every practitioner may not notice or fight against them.

To avoid being left behind, you must get familiar with and master some choke techniques as soon as possible.

BJJ chokes add a challenging complexity to the sport of ground fighting. However, it is necessary first to understand the fundamentals and develop the talents required to perform these mind-blowing maneuvers correctly.

I hope this article has been of use to you in getting knowledgeable about some excellent chokes that exist out there in jiu-jitsu martial arts. As a result, you will develop a decisive offensive game with many options.

Related: Discover the most economical and low-cost Jiu-Jitsu gis for budget-conscious practitioners. Whether you’re just starting out or have been training for a while, this article will help you pick a comfortable, durable, and superb cheap gi.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Jiu-Jitsu Chokes Work?

Chokes come in two varieties in Brazilian jiu-jitsu: blood chokes and air chokes.

A blood choke puts tremendous pressure on the carotid arteries of the opponent, forcing him to go unconscious if he does not tap out early.

Alternatively, BJJ air chokes apply pressure on the opponent’s trachea, preventing air from entering the lungs and eventually rendering the opponent unconscious if he does not tap out.

Are BJJ Chokes Dangerous?

BJJ chokes are not dangerous since, in the worst-case situation, they will force the opponent to go unconscious. And in this case, the referee will end the fight.

What Do Collar Chokes Stand for In BJJ?

BJJ collar chokes are submission techniques that involve using the opponent’s collar to complete the submission.

Moreover, these gi chokes are pretty effective in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions. 

How Many Collar Chokes Are In BJJ?

Collar chokes are among the most compelling submissions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including using the opponent’s gi.

Various collar chokes are available in jiu-jitsu, including the cross collar choke, loop choke, baseball bat choke, Ezekiel choke, bow and arrow choke, and others.

How Does a Collar Choke Work?

Collar choke belongs to the blood chokes family that exerts tremendous pressure on the carotid arteries of the opponent.

So, once adequately executed, it will leave the opponent with a couple of options: tap out or fall asleep.

Can You Die If Someone Chokes You?

Chokes will cause you to lose consciousness in seconds and die in minutes if you don’t act quickly.

As a result, the BJJ referee should stop the fight when a combatant becomes unconscious due to a choke or other submission.