Cross Collar Choke Submission

The Cross Collar Choke is one of the most iconic and effective submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). It utilizes the gi collar to apply pressure on both sides of the opponent’s neck, leading to a blood choke that forces a tap. This versatile submission is highly effective across various skill levels, from beginners learning the basics to advanced practitioners refining their game. In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals, advanced details, and strategies for mastering the cross collar choke.

What is the Cross Collar Choke?

The Cross Collar Choke is a gi-based blood choke that disrupts blood flow to the brain by compressing the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck. It is executed by gripping the opponent’s collar in a cross formation and applying downward pressure with the arms.

How It Works

The cross collar choke is performed by gripping the opponent’s gi collar in a cross pattern, with each hand controlling one side of the collar. The mechanics of the choke rely on:

• Leverage: Your arms and the gi collar work together to create pressure on the neck.
• Angles: Proper body positioning enhances the effectiveness of the choke, ensuring maximum pressure is applied to the arteries.
• Tight Grips: Securing a snug grip deep inside the collar is key to controlling your opponent and completing the choke.

Versatility Across Positions

One of the greatest strengths of the cross collar choke is its adaptability. It can be performed from a variety of positions, including:

• Guard (Closed or Open): Ideal for controlling and submitting an opponent from the bottom.
• Mount: A dominant position where the choke is harder for the opponent to escape.
• Back Control: Allows you to secure the choke while maintaining complete control of your opponent.

This versatility ensures that practitioners can apply the choke from multiple scenarios, making it a staple of both gi-focused BJJ and competition.

Teaching Key Principles

The cross collar choke isn’t just a submission; it’s also a valuable tool for learning critical BJJ concepts like:

• Grip Fighting: Controlling your opponent’s gi is crucial for both offense and defense.
• Pressure Application: Understanding how to apply steady, precise pressure is essential for effective submissions.
• Angle Creation: Adjusting your hips and body to create optimal angles improves leverage and control.

This submission is a fundamental part of any BJJ practitioner’s game, teaching key principles of leverage, pressure, and control.

Cross Collar Choke Stats Worth Knowing

The Cross Collar Choke is a fundamental and highly effective submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Here are three key statistics highlighting its significance:

1. Historical Effectiveness: Helio Gracie, one of BJJ’s founding figures, achieved 50% of his professional victories via the cross collar choke, including his notable 1951 win over Yukio Kato at Maracanã Stadium.¹
2. Versatility Across Positions: this choke can be executed from multiple positions, such as mount, guard, and back control, making it a versatile tool in a practitioner’s arsenal.²
3. Adoption by High-Level Competitors: Renowned BJJ athletes, including Roger Gracie, have effectively utilized the cross collar choke in high-level competitions, underscoring its efficacy at the elite level.³

These statistics underscore the cross collar choke’s enduring relevance and effectiveness in both historical and contemporary BJJ practice.

Why is the Cross Collar Choke Important in BJJ?

The Cross Collar Choke holds significant value in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for several reasons:

• Universal Applicability: It works effectively against opponents of all sizes and skill levels, relying on technique rather than brute strength.
• Teaching Tool for Beginners: The choke helps beginners learn essential concepts like grip control, posture breaking, and pressure application.
• Advanced Versatility: For advanced players, the cross collar choke offers opportunities for advanced setups, baiting defenses, and chaining submissions.
• High Percentage Submission: Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a reliable option in both training and competition.

Whether you’re just starting your BJJ journey or competing at a high level, this choke is an indispensable tool in your arsenal.

Who is the Cross Collar Choke Submission Recommended For?

The Cross Collar Choke Submission is one of the most versatile techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making it suitable for a wide range of practitioners. Whether you’re just starting your BJJ journey or competing at an elite level, this submission has something to offer.

Beginners

• The cross collar choke is a foundational technique that teaches key BJJ principles such as grip control, posture breaking, and pressure application.
• It’s straightforward to learn and execute, making it a great starting point for new practitioners looking to build confidence and skill in submissions.

Smaller or Lighter Practitioners

• This submission relies on leverage, positioning, and precision rather than strength, making it highly effective for smaller or lighter practitioners against larger opponents.
• Proper grip technique and body mechanics allow lighter practitioners to neutralize size and strength disadvantages.

Practitioners Focused on Gi Training

• The cross collar choke is a gi-specific technique, utilizing the collar for both control and pressure. It’s ideal for practitioners who enjoy the technical depth and opportunities provided by gi-focused training.

Advanced Practitioners

• For more experienced practitioners, the cross collar choke offers opportunities for advanced setups, transitions, and combination attacks. It pairs well with sweeps, arm bars, and baiting strategies to create a layered offensive game.

This choke Submission is a valuable tool for any Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, regardless of their skill level or size. Its versatility, effectiveness, and simplicity make it a staple in the arsenal of BJJ players worldwide.

Step-by-Step Guide to Executing the Cross Collar Choke

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even though the cross collar choke is straightforward, common mistakes can reduce its effectiveness. Here’s how to overcome them:

1. Shallow Grips:
   • Problem: Loose grips reduce pressure on the neck.
   • Solution: Ensure your first grip is deep into the collar, close to the back of their neck.
2. Poor Angle:
   • Problem: Staying too square limits leverage.
   • Solution: Adjust your hips or body to create an optimal angle for the choke.
3. Lack of Patience:
   • Problem: Rushing the choke leads to sloppy execution.
   • Solution: Focus on securing tight grips and steady pressure before finishing the choke.

Drills to Improve Your Cross Collar Choke

Incorporate these drills into your training routine to develop a strong position:

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Defending Against the Cross Collar Choke

The Cross Collar Choke is a powerful submission that requires proper awareness and quick responses to neutralize. Successful defense against this choke hinges on recognizing the setup early, maintaining good posture, and proactively disrupting your opponent’s grip and positioning. Below is an in-depth guide to defending against the cross collar choke at different stages of its execution.

Early Prevention: Recognizing the Setup

The most effective defense against the cross collar choke starts before your opponent has fully established their grips. Pay close attention to their movements and intent.

• Posture is Key:
  • Keep your back straight and your head upright, especially when in their guard or under mount.
  • Avoid leaning forward or exposing your neck, as this makes it easier for them to establish deep grips on your collar.
• Hand Awareness:
  • Monitor their hand placement. If they begin to slide a hand into your collar, intercept it before they can secure a deep grip.
  • Use your own hands to block or push their arms away from your collar.

Breaking Their Grips

Once they have established grips on your collar, it’s crucial to disrupt their control before they can apply the choke.

• Two-on-One Grip Break:
  • Use both of your hands to grab their choking hand (the hand placed deeper in your collar).
  • Pull their hand outward and away from your neck, disrupting the angle required to complete the choke.
• Push on the Elbow:
  • If their second hand is moving into position, push on their elbow to prevent the grip from being fully established.
• Circle Your Head:
  • Rotate your head in the direction of the grip to relieve pressure and escape the choke setup.

Maintaining Space

Creating space between your neck and their grips can make it significantly harder for them to finish the choke.

• Frame Against Their Chest:
  • Use your hands or forearms to frame against their chest, preventing them from pulling you downward and tightening the choke.
• Hip Bridge and Shrimp:
  • If in mount, use a hip bridge to create upward pressure, followed by a shrimp movement to escape the position and disrupt their balance.

Escape Techniques

If the choke is already in progress, escaping becomes a matter of reducing pressure and breaking their grip.

• Stack and Drive:
  • From guard, posture up and stack your opponent by driving your weight forward onto them. This limits their ability to pull downward and apply choking pressure.
• Turn Toward the Grip:
  • Rotate your body toward the arm with the deeper collar grip. This weakens their angle and creates an opportunity to free your neck.
• Leg Trap in Mount:
  • If you’re under mount, trap one of their legs with your own and bridge explosively to roll them off balance. This interrupts the choke and allows you to escape to a more neutral position.

Advanced Defenses

For more experienced practitioners, counter-attacking during the defense is a viable option.

• Transition to a Guard Pass:
  • While defending the choke in guard, use their focus on the choke to initiate a guard pass, such as a knee-cut pass or stack pass.
• Submission Counters:
  • During their choke setup, you can transition into submissions like a wrist lock or an arm bar if they overcommit their grip positioning.

When to Transition to Offense

Once you’ve successfully defended against the cross collar choke, it’s important to capitalize on your opponent’s overcommitment to the submission.

• From Guard:
  • Transition into a guard pass or establish dominant grips to control your opponent.
• From Mount:
  • Exploit their unbalanced position to roll them or regain guard.

The Cross Collar Choke in Competition

The Cross Collar Choke has been a decisive technique in many high-level matches:

• Roger Gracie’s Mastery: Roger Gracie is renowned for his use of the cross collar choke, often finishing opponents from mount with precision and control.
• Quotes from Experts: As Helio Gracie famously said, “Leverage defeats strength.” The cross collar choke epitomizes this principle.

These moments highlight the choke’s importance in both gi competitions and as a foundational submission.

Conclusion

The Cross Collar Choke Submission is a must-learn technique for any Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Its versatility, effectiveness, and adaptability make it a valuable tool for both beginners and advanced players. By mastering its mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and practicing targeted drills, you’ll elevate your game to new heights.

Ready to take your game to the next level? Check out our other guides on advanced submission techniques. Happy training!

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