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Loop Choke: The Sneaky Gi Submission Guide
The loop choke is the silent assassin of the gi game. It looks like a normal grip fight right up until it closes.
What the Loop Choke Is
The loop choke is a gi submission that punishes bad head position. Your opponent lowers their head. You grab their collar, rotate your body, and the choke closes fast. Most people never see it coming.
It's called sneaky for a reason. The setup looks like a normal grip fight right up until the finish.
The Basic Mechanic
- Get a deep collar grip with your top hand, four fingers inside.
- Wait for your opponent to lower their head toward your chest.
- Rotate your body away while pulling the collar across their neck.
- Use your other arm to trap their head, closing the loop.
Rotation finishes the choke, not arm strength. Your body turning is what tightens the collar.
Three Setups
- From closed guard, when they posture down to pass.
- Against a turtled opponent, as they defend on their knees.
- From butterfly guard, catching them as they duck to counter your hooks.
Against Takedown Attempts
If your opponent shoots for a takedown with their head down, the loop choke is right there. This makes it a useful counter in gi competition, similar to how the guillotine works in no-gi.
Common Mistakes
- Shallow collar grip, which gives you nothing to rotate against.
- Trying to muscle the finish instead of turning your body.
- Waiting too long, so they lift their head and clear the danger.
For the no-gi equivalent of this concept, see our guillotine choke guide.
Tagged with:#loop choke#gi#submissions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I not finish my loop choke?
Usually a shallow collar grip, or trying to finish with arm strength. The choke tightens when your body rotates away, not when you pull harder with your arms.
Does the loop choke work in no-gi?
No, it needs a collar to grip. The guillotine choke fills the same tactical role in no-gi, punishing an opponent who lowers their head.
Is the loop choke legal at white belt?
Yes. It is a blood choke rather than a joint lock, so it is legal at every belt level under IBJJF rules.
How do you defend the loop choke?
Keep your head up rather than lowering it toward your opponent's chest, and fight the collar grip before it goes deep, since the choke depends on a full four-finger grip to close.
About the Author
Mohsin AyubBJJ practitioner, 6 years — Gracie Barra
Founder & Editor, BJJ Sportswear
Mohsin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for six years at Gracie Barra and has competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments. He writes about competition, gear, and athlete careers, and founded BJJ Sportswear to help grapplers find equipment and information they can trust.
- Six years training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra
- Competed at IBJJF-affiliated tournaments
- Writes on BJJ competition, gear testing, and athlete careers
This article was last reviewed and updated on 2026-08-01.