Baseball Bat Choke: The Turtle Position Killer
By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts | Last Updated: February 1, 2026
The Baseball Bat Choke is the ultimate “gotcha” move in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Most submissions require you to be in a dominant position. The Baseball Bat Choke is one of the few attacks that can finish a fight even as your opponent passes your guard. Made famous by Magid Hage, who used it to choke out high-level black belts who thought they were winning, this technique relies on deceptive grips and sudden movement.
In this guide, we break down how to swing for the fences with the Baseball Bat Choke.
Table of Contents
What is the Baseball Bat Choke?
The Baseball Bat Choke is a lapel choke that uses your forearms to compress the opponent’s carotid arteries.
- The Grip: You hold the opponent’s collar like a baseball bat—one hand palm up, one hand palm down.
- The Mechanics: Your hands stay close together, but your elbows scissor. When you rotate your body, your forearms close like a vice.
- The Finish: It can be applied from Top (Knee on Belly/Side Control) or Bottom (Guard).
As Digitsu explains, the beauty of this choke is that it often feels harmless until you start spinning.
The Magid Hage Setup (The Bait)
Normally, letting someone pass your guard is bad. But for the Baseball Bat Choke, it is part of the trap.
- Set the Grips: From Butterfly Guard or Knee Shield, secure your baseball bat grips deep in their collar.
- The Bait: Relax your legs and allow them to pass to Side Control.
- The Spin: As they settle their weight, spin your body away from them (North-South direction).
- The Squeeze: The rotation tightens the collar instantly. They will usually go to sleep before they realize they are in danger.
Top Side Control Setup
You don’t have to be on the bottom. It works great from the top.
- Knee on Belly: Start in Knee on Belly to open up their collar.
- Insert Grips: Slide your thumbs inside the collar.
- North-South: Spin your body toward their head (North-South) while dropping your elbow to the mat.
How to Perform the Baseball Choke
Can You Do It No-Gi?
Yes! The No-Gi Baseball Bat Choke is tricky but effective.
- The Grip: Instead of a collar, use a Gable Grip (palm-to-palm) or S-Grip.
- The Setup: Clamp your hands together around their head and arm (like an Arm Triangle setup) and rotate your body to compress the neck.
Baseball Choke From Top Position
Troubleshooting: Why It Fails
Mistake #1: Hands Too Far Apart
If there is a gap between your hands, the choke will be loose.
The Fix: Your hands must be touching. Think of holding a real bat.
Mistake #2: Not Spinning Enough
If you stay parallel to them, there is no pressure.
The Fix: You must spin until you are perpendicular (T-shape) or even parallel in the other direction (North-South).
Mistake #3: Getting Armbarred
If you hang out with straight arms, they will armbar you.
The Fix: Keep your elbows bent and tight to your body until you are ready to spin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this choke dangerous?
Yes. Because it uses the body’s rotation, it gets tight very fast. Opponents often pass out (go to sleep) before they have time to tap. Be careful with training partners.
How do I defend it?
If you see the grips, do not pass. Back away or attack the arms. If you are already stuck, you must spin with them to unravel the choke.
Conclusion
The Baseball Bat Choke is a weapon of surprise. It teaches you that position isn’t everything—leverage is.
Start by practicing the grip from Knee on Belly. Once you trust the choke, try the “Magid Hage” bait from the bottom.