Loop Choke: BJJ’s Sneakiest Submission

Loop Choke: BJJ’s Sneakiest Submission

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

The loop choke is one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most underrated and versatile blood chokes—a gi submission where you grab your opponent’s collar, pull it across their chin, and loop your arm around their neck to compress the carotid arteries. What makes this technique dangerous is its sneaky application from multiple positions: closed guard, half guard, side control, during guard passing, and even as a counter to takedown attempts.​

According to Evolve MMA, the loop choke is an underrated yet one of the most dangerous chokes in all of BJJ. It is a submission that is usually applied in transition and is typically seen as a technique to counter takedowns. The loop choke is a highly versatile technique and can be used in different positions, including side control, half guard, guard passes, or when defending against a takedown.​

Elite Sports emphasizes versatility: Loop chokes are some of the most compelling submissions from several positions, such as guard passes, half-guard, side control, and while defending against a takedown.​

After coaching hundreds of students and integrating loop choke into gi game plans, I’ve found that it represents the opportunistic submission—appearing when opponents focus on passing, defending, or attacking. They rarely expect a choke from positions where they feel safe, making the loop choke one of grappling’s most surprising finishes.

Whether you’re a white belt learning fundamental gi chokes or a brown belt refining transitional attacks, mastering loop choke mechanics gives you the submission that works from more positions than almost any other gi technique.

What Is the Loop Choke?

The loop choke is a blood choke where you grab your opponent’s collar with one hand, pull it across their chin, and “loop” your arm around their neck while your other hand connects behind their head to create a tight circle that compresses both carotid arteries.​

Core Loop Choke Components:

• Deep cross-collar grip (four fingers inside)
• Pull collar across opponent’s chin
• Loop arm around their neck
• Other hand connects behind head
• Creates tight circle around neck
• Compresses carotid arteries (not windpipe!)
• Works from guard, half guard, passing, side control
• Gi-specific technique
• Blood choke mechanism

Evolve MMA describes mechanism: It is a submission performed by grabbing the opponent’s collar and pulling it across their chin as you loop your hand to the opposite side and around their neck. This motion blocks the blood flow to the brain, thus forcing them to tap.​

Understanding closed guard fundamentals helps you see why loop choke is so effective—opponents don’t expect chokes when they’re the ones passing.

Loop Choke History and Specialists

Alexandre “Cafe” Vieira: The Loop Choke Legend

FloGrappling features Cafe: Fabricio visits Brazilian Top Team in California and spars with Alexandre Vieira, the legendary loop choke specialist.​

Loop Choke Specialists:

• Alexandre “Cafe” Vieira: Legendary practitioner
• Xande Ribeiro: 5x World Champion uses loop choke
• Jean Jacques Machado: Master of half guard loop choke
• Thomas Lisboa: IBJJF World Champion specialist

Why Underrated:

• Doesn’t look flashy
• Requires subtle setup
• Opponents don’t see it coming
• Works in transition
• Highly effective when mastered

Executing the Perfect Loop Choke

From Closed Guard (Basic Setup)

Evolve MMA teaches fundamentals:​

Step-by-Step:

1. Establish Cross-Collar Grip

• Start from closed guard
• Reach across to opponent’s opposite collar
• Four fingers INSIDE collar (critical!)
• Thumb stays outside
• Use LOOSE grip (not tight)
• Deep penetration needed

Why Loose Grip: Evolve MMA explains: When applying the cross collar grip, it is best to use a loose grip so that you can pull your arm all the way around the opponent’s head.​

2. Pull Collar Across Chin

• Pull collar material across their chin
• Loop your arm around side of their neck
• Flex your wrist as it crosses
• Target CAROTID (side of neck, not windpipe!)
• Critical detail for proper finish

3. Shoot Other Hand Behind Head

• Opposite hand shoots behind their neck
• Reach until you connect to choking arm’s wrist
• Creates frame that pushes head down
• Tight connection critical

4. Snap Down and Finish

• Pull choking arm tight
• Push with back hand
• Snap head down into choke
• Compress carotids
• Opponent taps

Evolve MMA emphasizes target: It is critical to flex your wrist as it goes across the neck. One mistake when applying the loop choke is that grapplers apply the pressure on the windpipe instead of the carotid arteries on the side.

​

From Half Guard (Top Position)

Jean Jacques Machado teaches: A great aspect of half guard is that you don’t have to pass, you can end the game right there and then.​

Half Guard Setup:

1. Establish Top Half Guard

• Control from top half guard
• Opponent has your leg trapped
• You have cross-face or underhook
• Get collar grip

2. Deep Collar Grip

• Four fingers deep in opposite collar
• Tighter collar grip than guard version
• Less space means less penetration needed
• Critical positioning

3. Thread Arm Around Neck

• Pull collar tight across chin
• Thread arm around their neck
• Drive pressure into their neck
• Seal tightly

4. Lock and Finish

• Connect hands behind head
• Drive neck into choke
• No space for head to escape
• Finish without passing

Jean Jacques Machado detail: The tighter you are on the collar the less penetration you’re going to get with the arm but this is what’s going to seal it driving his neck into the choke there’s no space for his head to come back.​

From Front Headlock (Sprawl Defense)

Evolve MMA teaches takedown defense: Using the loop choke to defend against takedowns is one of the most common ways to apply the submission.​

Sprawl to Loop Choke:

1. Sprawl on Takedown

• Opponent shoots takedown
• You sprawl
• Land in front headlock position
• Perfect loop choke setup

2. Open Collar and Grip

• Use one hand to open their collar
• Other hand gets deep cross-collar grip
• Four fingers inside gi
• Thread deep

3. Swim Under and Roll

• Swim other hand under their arm
• Reach behind their neck
• Roll to your side (choking arm side)
• Stick your head on their lat

4. Hip Escape and Finish

• Hip escape to create angle
• Turn body away
• Pull collar and straighten arm
• Extremely tight finish

Evolve MMA describes angle: As you land, perform a hip escape to your left to create space and turn your body at an angle. Pull the opponent’s collar and straighten your arm to tighten and finish the choke.​

Fireman’s Carry Variation (Advanced)

Evolve MMA shows dynamic finish: The video below is an example of how brutal the loop choke can be.​

Standing Finish:

1. Secure Collar Grip from Guard

• Opponent pressure passing
• Get cross-collar grip
• Wrap hand across chin and behind head
• Block carotid arteries

2. Pop Head Inside

• Instead of second hand behind head
• Pop YOUR head inside
• Swim through their defense
• Grab their leg (fireman’s carry grip)

3. Stand Up and Finish

• Hold leg with one hand
• Maintain choke with other
• Stand up while keeping grips
• Choke tightens as you stand
• Brutal finish

Evolve MMA warns: Your opponent might also go out as you stand up, so always be on the lookout.

​

Critical Loop Choke Details

Target Carotid Arteries, Not Windpipe

Evolve MMA emphasizes: One mistake when applying the loop choke is that grapplers apply the pressure on the windpipe instead of the carotid arteries on the side.​

Proper Targeting:

• Flex wrist across neck
• Blade of forearm on carotid
• NOT crushing windpipe
• Blood choke, not air choke
• Faster tap, safer technique

Loose Initial Grip

Critical Principle:

• Start with LOOSE cross-collar grip
• Allows arm to travel around head
• Tight grip prevents full penetration
• Once around, THEN tighten

Four Fingers Inside Collar

Grip Detail:

• Four fingers deep in collar
• Thumb stays outside
• Deep penetration critical
• Shallow grips won’t finish

Hip and Body Angle

Elite Sports teaches positioning: Shifting your position and angling your core or body weight can also increase the density of the choke.​

Body Mechanics:

• Create angle with hips
• Turn body away from choke
• Uses entire body weight
• Not just arm strength
• Angle tightens loop

Loop Choke Variations

From Closed Guard

Standard Application:

• Cross-collar grip
• Pull across chin
• Connect behind head
• Snap down to finish

From Half Guard Top

Without Passing:

• Control from top half
• Deep collar grip
• Drive into choke
• Finish without passing
• Jean Jacques Machado specialty

From Side Control

Transitional Attack:

• Establish side control
• Opponent tries escaping
• Collar opens during movement
• Attack loop choke
• High-percentage timing

From Guard Passing Defense

Counter Attack:

• Opponent pressure passing
• Get collar grip early
• As they pass, loop choke
• Counter submission
• Fireman’s carry finish option

Common Mistakes and Fixes

Mistake #1: Windpipe Pressure

Problem:

• Crushing windpipe instead of carotids
• Uncomfortable but doesn’t finish
• Opponent can defend longer

Fix:

• Flex wrist across neck
• Target SIDES of neck
• Blade of forearm position
• Blood choke mechanism

Mistake #2: Tight Initial Grip

Problem:

• Gripping collar too tight initially
• Arm can’t travel around head
• Can’t complete loop

Fix:

• Start with LOOSE grip
• Allow arm mobility
• Tighten AFTER loop completes
• Then finish hard

Mistake #3: Shallow Collar Grip

Problem:

• Not getting four fingers deep
• Insufficient material
• Can’t create tight loop

Fix:

• Force four fingers inside
• Get DEEP in collar
• More material = tighter choke
• Critical for finish

Defending the Loop Choke

Early Prevention

Recognition:

• Feel deep cross-collar grip
• Recognize posture break
• Don’t let arm around head
• Fight grips early

Hand Fighting:

• Strip collar grips immediately
• Keep posture strong
• Don’t lean forward
• Prevent deep penetration

Escape After Setup

If Caught:

1. Posture Up Hard

• Explosive posture up
• Create space at neck
• May break grip
• Must be FAST

2. Turn Into Choke

• Turn toward choking arm
• Relieves carotid pressure
• Creates escape angle
• Bridge and turn

3. Strip Grip

• Use both hands
• Grab their choking wrist
• Pull out of collar
• Escape before connection

Reality: Once fully locked with angle, very difficult to escape—prevention critical.

Training Loop Choke by Belt Level

For White Belts: Basic Mechanics

Start simple:

Priorities:

• Learn from closed guard first
• Understand cross-collar grip
• Practice loose-to-tight grip transition
• Feel difference between windpipe and carotid
• Drill on cooperative partners

Resources about first gi class help beginners understand gi grips.

For Blue/Purple Belts: Positional Expansion

Add variations:

Development:

• Master from half guard top
• Learn front headlock version
• Practice during passing
• Develop from side control
• Study Alexandre Cafe Vieira

Exploring blue belt goals helps structure loop choke integration.

For Brown/Black Belts: Opportunistic Mastery

Perfect timing:

Advanced Focus:

• See openings in transition
• Use as passing counter
• Develop from scrambles
• Create setups from everywhere
• Finish standing (fireman’s carry)
• Make it invisible

Competition Strategy

IBJJF Gi Competition

Sneaky weapon:

Strategic Advantages:

• Legal at all belt levels
• Opponents don’t expect it
• Works during scrambles
• Counter to passing attempts
• Low energy expenditure
• High surprise factor

Integration with Guard Game

Attack Chains:

• Threaten loop choke from guard
• If they defend, sweep
• If they posture, triangle
• Continuous pressure
• Multiple threats

Reddit user shares strategy: I actually use loop chokes this way to follow them to mount far more often than I finish them. I’ll often get a loop that isn’t fully locked up but it scares them enough to frantically pull away and it’s usually enough for me to chase them up and scramble on top of them, usually into mount.​

Integration with Other Techniques

Closed Guard System

Complete Attack Chain:

• Loop choke (when they lean forward)
• Triangle (when they posture)
• Armbar (from triangle)
• Omoplata (when they defend triangle)
• Continuous offensive pressure

Half Guard Top System

Without Passing:

• Control top half guard
• Threaten loop choke
• If defended, pass
• If they turn away, take back
• Multi-layered attack

Takedown Defense

Counter System:

• Opponent shoots
• Sprawl to front headlock
• Loop choke counter
• Finish before they score
• Submission from defense

Why Loop Choke Works

The Sneaky Factor

Psychological Advantage:

• Opponents focus on passing
• Don’t expect chokes
• Grip seems harmless
• Finishes quickly
• Element of surprise

Positional Versatility

Works Everywhere:

• Closed guard
• Half guard (top and bottom)
• Side control
• During passes
• Front headlock
• Scrambles

Low Energy Investment

Efficiency:

• Uses collar as weapon
• Body angle creates pressure
• Not strength-dependent
• Smaller grapplers can finish bigger opponents
• Technical over physical

The Loop Choke Legacy

From Alexandre “Cafe” Vieira’s legendary mastery to Xande Ribeiro’s championship applications and Jean Jacques Machado’s half guard variations, the loop choke represents gi BJJ’s most underrated and versatile submission. What makes it special is the ability to attack from positions where opponents feel safe—during their passing attempts, from bottom half guard, or even as a counter to takedowns.

The loop choke proves a fundamental grappling truth: the most dangerous attacks are the ones opponents don’t see coming. While they defend cross collars, triangles, and armbars, the loop choke appears from transitions and scrambles—finishing before they realize the danger.

Whether you’re playing closed guard, controlling half guard, or defending takedowns, the loop choke provides the opportunistic submission that works when others don’t—creating the sneaky finish that defines technical gi grappling.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Alexandre Vieira footage, Jean Jacques Machado instructional content, IBJJF competition analysis, and contemporary loop choke specialists. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts using loop choke in gi tournament settings. Positional applications verified through closed guard, half guard, and transitional grappling documentation. Strategic applications based on gi competition analysis (2000-2025).

Sources Referenced:

• Evolve MMA (loop choke mechanics)
• Elite Sports (technical breakdown)
• Jean Jacques Machado (half guard variation)
• Alexandre “Cafe” Vieira (specialist footage)
• Reddit BJJ community (practical applications)

Last Updated: January 12, 2026