Cross Collar Choke: Roger Gracie's Championship Guide

Cross Collar Choke: Roger Gracie’s Unstoppable Submission

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in fundamental gi techniques | Last Updated: January 12, 2026

The cross collar choke (also called X-choke) is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most successful gi submission in competition history—a blood choke executed by gripping your opponent’s opposite collar with both hands, creating an “X” formation that compresses the carotid arteries. What makes this technique legendary is Roger Gracie’s 2009 World Championship performance, where he submitted nine world-class black belts in a single tournament—most with the same cross collar choke from mount that everyone knew was coming but couldn’t stop.

According to BJJ Heroes, Roger Gracie is widely regarded as one of the sport’s Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), with his ten (10) IBJJF World Championship titles as a black belt and a trademark willingness to commit to submissions. His favorite technique? Cross choke from the mount position.

Elite Sports explains the mechanics: The cross-collar choke squeezes the blood supply to the head using the radial bone and ulna to get the choke. However, apart from restricting the blood supply to the head, it may also stimulate the vagus nerve to slow down the heart, creating a dual whammy effect of lessening the supply of oxygen to the head. This is what makes it very hard for some people that they won’t even get a chance to tap out when they get caught in a cross-collar choke.

After coaching hundreds of students and studying Roger Gracie’s competition footage extensively, I’ve found that the cross collar choke represents the pinnacle of “basics done perfectly”—it’s the first choke white belts learn and the last technique black belts master. The difference between knowing the technique and making it work against world champions lies in the invisible details.

Whether you’re a white belt learning your first gi choke or a brown belt refining championship-level details, mastering cross collar mechanics gives you the submission that proved unstoppable at the highest levels of competition.

What Is the Cross Collar Choke?

The cross collar choke is a blood choke where you grip your opponent’s opposite collar with both hands, crossing your arms to create an “X” formation that compresses both carotid arteries simultaneously.

Core Cross Collar Components:

Both hands grip opponent’s OPPOSITE collar (creates X)
First grip deep (four fingers in, thumb out)
Second grip palm down on opposite collar
Radial bones compress carotid arteries
Stimulates vagus nerve (slows heart)
Works from mount, guard, side control, passing
Gi-specific technique
Blood choke with vagus nerve component

Elite Sports emphasizes dual mechanism: Apart from restricting blood supply, it may also stimulate the vagus nerve to slow down the heart, creating a dual whammy effect.

Understanding what is mount in BJJ helps you see why cross collar from mount is so effective—superior position plus unstoppable choke.

Roger Gracie’s Legendary Record

2009 World Championship Dominance

Hidden Jiu-Jitsu describes the achievement: In 2009, at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, Roger Gracie finished nine of the best competitors in the world, one right after the other, with the same outcome: choke from mount. Most of those were the cross collar choke.

2009 Worlds Performance:

Weight Division: 3 submissions (all chokes from mount)
Absolute Division: 3 cross collar chokes from mount
Total: 6 matches, 6 mount chokes in one tournament
Opponents: Rafael Lovato, Claudio Calasans, Romulo Barral (Absolute final)
Everyone Knew It Was Coming: Still couldn’t stop it

IBJJF describes Calasans match: Roger faced jiu-jitsu and judo black belt Claudio Calasans in the open class semifinal. Calasans started with a perfectly timed single leg takedown, scoring two points to take the lead. He could not keep Roger on his back, however, and pulled guard after they reset. Roger opened the guard and nearly passed, but Calasans recovered to butterfly guard. As he attempted to elevate and sweep Roger using his hooks, Roger passed to side control. He then mounted and finished his third cross choke from the mount of the day.

Career Statistics

BJJ Heroes records Roger’s incredible stats:

Championships:

10x IBJJF World Champion (black belt)
2x ADCC Champion (2005: submitted all 8 opponents)
4x World Champion (colored belts)
Never submitted in competition

Submission Record:

76 total wins
62 by submission (82%)
Multiple cross choke finishes against world champions
Submitted: Jacaré, Marcelo Garcia, Terere, Alexandre Ribeiro, Romulo Barral

Favorite Technique: Cross choke from mount position

Saulo Ribeiro’s Quote: 5x World Champion Saulo Ribeiro believed Roger’s success was “the invisible Jiu-Jitsu” —details others couldn’t see.

Executing the Perfect Cross Collar Choke

From Mount (Roger Gracie Method)

Elite Sports teaches Roger’s system: Roger Gracie has one of the highest numbers of cross-collar chokes from the mount.

Step-by-Step Setup:

1. Establish High Mount

Get mount position
Walk knees HIGH (into armpits, not on ribs)
Chest toward their face (not their abdomen)
Heavy hips on their chest
Control their ability to bridge

2. Distribute Weight for First Grip

Elite Sports: He first set things up by getting heavy on the opponent’s hip, needing both his hands to prevent the rival from doing a reversal
Choose one side for first grip
Move your head to that side
Get heavy on that side
This prevents bridge/reversal

3. First Grip (CRITICAL!)

Reach across to OPPOSITE collar
Four fingers INSIDE collar
Thumb stays OUTSIDE
Get DEEP (knuckles should touch mat)
Radial bone against their neck
This is the choking hand

4. Post Against Bridge

Free hand posts FAR to opposite side
Prevents them bridging
Maintains your balance
Critical Roger Gracie detail

5. Second Grip

Elite Sports: Getting the second grip from mount is just as tricky as getting the second grip when playing closed guard
Good way: palm DOWN on opposite collar
Grip at shoulder level
“Cut” opponent’s head to other side (makes space)
Creates X formation

6. Finish the Choke

Bring elbows TIGHT to your body (not flared)
Fall FORWARD with your weight
Pull hands in opposite directions
Compress both carotids with radial bones
Very little movement needed when grips are deep
Opponent taps or sleeps

From Closed Guard

Elite Sports emphasizes posture break: It is very important to break the posture of your opponent and set up the cross-collar choke from a closed guard.

Guard Setup:

1. Break Posture

Pull opponent down (break upright posture)
Use grips, legs, arms
Keep them from sitting up
Critical first step

2. First Grip

Four fingers inside opposite collar
Get DEEP (thumb behind their head)
Radial bone contacts neck
Actively fight for this grip

3. Prevent Posture Recovery

Use guard to control
Keep them broken down
Don’t let them sit up
Grip fight aggressively

4. Second Grip

Palm down on opposite collar
Grab material at shoulder area
Creates X formation
Several finishing variations available

5. Finish

Pull hands in opposite directions
Use guard to prevent posture
Squeeze elbows in
Pull down into guard

From Knee Slice Pass

Elite Sports describes modern variation: One more new technique to perform a cross-collar choke is with a knee slice. Leandro Lo and Romulo Barral made submissions with the cross choke from the knee slide guard pass.

Knee Slice Application:

1. Opponent Defends Knee Slice

They turn to their side
Try to squeeze your leg
Face you while defending
Creates cross choke opportunity

2. Get First Grip

When they turn to side, collar opens
Get first choking hand DEEP
Four fingers in, thumb out
Quick application

3. Second Grip and Finish

Palm down on opposite collar
Can shave and squeeze quickly
Better: post on knee and crunch
Highly effective modern variation

Critical Cross Collar Details

Depth of First Grip (The Invisible Detail)

Key Principle:

First grip must be DEEP (knuckles touch mat)
Shallow grips don’t finish
This is what separates levels
Roger Gracie’s secret

YouTube mechanics detail: Making sure that when I get my grips my hands are already touching his neck. That way once I start to apply pressure all of that pressure immediately affects him and it immediately goes into his neck.

Weight Distribution, Not Arm Strength

Common Mistake:

Trying to squeeze with arm strength
Exhausts you, doesn’t finish

Correct Method:

Use WEIGHT falling forward
Let gravity do the work
Elbows tight to body
Very little movement needed

High Mount Position

Position Matters:

Mount chest (not abdomen)
Knees in armpits (not on ribs)
Face toward their face
Higher = harder to bridge

Posting Against Bridge

Roger’s System:

Free hand posts FAR to opposite side
If they bridge, you can let them roll
You stay mounted during roll
Finish on other side

Cross Collar Variations

Palm Up vs. Palm Down Second Grip

Traditional (Palm Up):

Second hand palm UP under first arm
Deep on opposite collar
Classic finish
Both palms face you

Modern (Palm Down):

Second hand palm DOWN
Grips at shoulder area
Creates different angle
Roger Gracie preference

One-Handed Cross Choke

Advanced Variation:

Single deep collar grip
Use head pressure
Trap their defensive hand
Finish with one grip

Defending the Cross Collar Choke

From Top (Inside Guard)

Elite Sports teaches defense: This is exclusive to top positions, as it includes posturing up.

Posture Defense:

Posture up immediately
“Punch” throat (light pressure to neck)
Pushes them away
Prevents grip depth
Fight for grip before it gets deep

From Bottom Mount

Elite Sports describes bottom defense: From the bottom mount, the technique used to defend the x-choke is “bridge and roll”.

Bridge and Roll Escape:

1. Trap Gripping Arm

Overhook the arm going for first grip
Trap it early (before second grip)

2. Bridge Toward Trapped Arm

Explosive bridge to that side
Removes space for grip
Can reverse to top guard

3. Timing Is Critical

Must do BEFORE second grip
Once both grips in, very difficult
Experienced grapplers know counter

Problem: Against skilled opponents like Roger, they anticipate this and post to prevent it.

Training Cross Collar by Belt Level

For White Belts: Building Foundations

Start with guard version:

Priorities:

Learn from closed guard first
Practice breaking posture
Understand grip depth importance
Get reps on cooperative partners
Feel the choking mechanism

Resources about first BJJ class help beginners understand fundamentals.

For Blue/Purple Belts: Positional Mastery

Expand to mount:

Development:

Master from mount position
Study Roger Gracie footage
Understand weight distribution
Practice against resistance
Develop submission chains

Exploring blue belt development goals helps structure progression.

For Brown/Black Belts: Invisible Details

Perfect championship level:

Advanced Focus:

Study every Roger Gracie match
Perfect grip depth
Master posting mechanics
Develop fear factor (opponents defend early)
Use as positional control tool
Understand “invisible jiu-jitsu”

Competition Strategy

IBJJF Gi Competition

Highest percentage gi submission:

Strategic Advantages:

Legal at all belt levels
Works from multiple positions
Proven at world championship level
Creates fear (opens other attacks)
First learned, last mastered

Championship Mindset

Roger’s Approach:

Commit to the submission
Accept position to get grip
Be patient for depth
Use weight, not strength
Trust the technique

Creating the “Roger Effect”

Psychological Advantage:

Everyone knows it’s coming
They defend early (opens sweeps/passes)
Fear creates mistakes
Reputation does half the work

Integration with Other Techniques

Mount Attack System

Flow between mount submissions:

Position Hierarchy:

Establish high mount
Threaten cross collar (forces hands up)
If they defend collar, attack Americana
If they defend Americana, re-attack cross collar
Add Ezekiel choke variation

Guard Submission System

From closed guard:

Chain Attacks:

Break posture for cross collar
If they posture, attack triangle
If they defend triangle, re-attack cross collar
If they defend collar, attack armbar
Continuous pressure

Why Cross Collar Works at All Levels

White Belt Success

Reasons:

Simple mechanics
Clear grips
Works on unaware opponents
Fundamental technique

Black Belt Championship Success

Roger Gracie’s Evidence:

Same technique works on world champions
Difference is invisible details
Grip depth matters more than strength
Position and weight beat technique
Commitment to fundamentals

Hidden Jiu-Jitsu insight: How did Roger submit nine world-class competitors with the same choke? Saulo Ribeiro believed it was “the invisible Jiu-Jitsu” —the details others couldn’t see.

The Cross Collar Legacy

From white belt fundamentals to Roger Gracie’s ten World Championships and legendary 2009 performance, the cross collar choke represents Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most successful gi submission. What makes it extraordinary is that everyone knows it’s coming, studies the defense extensively, and still can’t stop it when executed with Roger’s invisible details.

The cross collar proves a fundamental BJJ truth: basics done perfectly beat complicated techniques. While flashy submissions come and go, Roger Gracie submitted the best grapplers in history—Jacaré, Marcelo Garcia, Alexandre Ribeiro, Romulo Barral—with the first choke taught to white belts. The difference lies not in secret techniques but in grip depth, weight distribution, positioning, and unwavering commitment to fundamentals.

Whether you’re learning your first gi choke or chasing championship gold, the cross collar choke provides the foundation that works at every level—from your first day in a gi to finishing world champions on the biggest stages.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Roger Gracie competition footage (2004-2010), BJJ Heroes statistical analysis, contemporary cross collar specialists’ instruction, and IBJJF World Championship documentation. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts using cross collar in gi tournament settings. Historical information verified through Gracie lineage documentation and championship records. Strategic applications based on elite-level competition analysis.

Sources Referenced:

BJJ Heroes (Roger Gracie biography and statistics)
Elite Sports cross collar mechanics
Hidden Jiu-Jitsu (2009 Worlds analysis)
IBJJF official championship records
Roger Gracie instructional content

Last Updated: January 12, 2026