North-South Choke: Marcelo Garcia's Pressure Guide

North-South Choke: Marcelo Garcia’s Pressure Masterclass

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

The north-south choke is a blood choke executed from the north-south position where you thread your arm under your opponent’s neck, compress both carotid arteries using your shoulder and forearm, and finish with body weight pressure instead of arm strength. What makes this technique legendary is Marcelo Garcia’s mastery—the 5x World Champion and 4x ADCC Champion who used perfect body positioning to submit opponents twice his size, proving this “big man’s move” works with technique over strength.

According to BJJ Fanatics, the north south choke is all about your body positioning, shutting off the arteries and getting the submission, and for a long time people thought this was a move for big strong fighters. Marcelo came along and changed all of that, using this choke when he was the much smaller fighter and still putting people to sleep. That’s because he has flawless technique with his body positioning and adjustments.

Roll Bliss explains the mechanism: The North-South choke is a blood choke that compresses both carotid arteries using your shoulder and arm while you are positioned above your opponent’s head.

After coaching hundreds of students and studying Marcelo Garcia’s ADCC footage extensively, I’ve found that the north-south choke represents the ultimate pressure-based submission—it requires perfect positioning, not strength, and works from one of grappling’s most dominant but underutilized positions. When executed correctly, opponents cannot escape even when they know it’s coming.

Whether you’re a white belt learning positional control or a brown belt refining top game submissions, mastering north-south choke mechanics gives you the weapon that finishes from dominant position with minimal risk.

What Is the North-South Choke?

The north-south choke is a blood choke applied from the north-south position (also called 100kg or reverse scarf hold in Judo) where your body is aligned opposite to your opponent’s—your head near their hips, their head near your hips.

Core North-South Choke Components:

Applied from north-south position (heads in opposite directions)
Thread arm under opponent’s neck
Bicep on one side of neck, forearm on other
Shoulder creates primary choking pressure
Gable grip (palm to palm) connection
Sprawl hips back and drop shoulder
Compress DOWN and IN (not lift up)
Works gi and no-gi
Blood choke targeting both carotid arteries

Elite Sports describes position: In the BJJ north-south position, the fighter stays on top of the opponent, placing the torso over the opponent’s upper body. The arms are wrapped around the face, which makes breathing difficult for the opponent.

Understanding BJJ positions helps you see why north-south is powerful—full top control with multiple submission options.

Marcelo Garcia’s Legendary Record

ADCC Dominance

FloGrappling chronicles Marcelo’s career: Marcelo Garcia burst onto the grappling scene in 2003 ADCC World Championships, winning three out of four matches by rear naked choke on the way to the gold medal.

ADCC Statistics:

Overall Record: 27-5 at ADCC
Submission Rate: 23 of 27 wins (85% of victories!)
Total Submissions: 23 of 32 opponents (72% overall)
Championships: 4x Gold (2003, 2005, 2007, 2011)
North-South Choke Finishes: 2 documented victories

BJJ Heroes documents specific victories:

2007 ADCC: Pablo Popovitch (77kg final) – North south choke
2007 ADCC: Mario Miranda (Absolute R1) – North south choke

Championship Mindset

FloGrappling emphasizes style: Not content to just score and grind out a match winning by points, Marcelo incredibly submitted 23 out of 32 opponents in his career at ADCC.

Marcelo’s Approach:

5x IBJJF World Champion
4x ADCC Champion
Competed against much larger opponents
Sometimes fought opponents 2x his size
Used technique, not strength
Changed perception of north-south choke

Executing the Perfect North-South Choke

Step-by-Step Setup

Roll Bliss provides detailed breakdown:

1. Establish Strong Side Control

Start in solid side control with:

Hips low and knees connected
Deep underhook
Full chest-to-chest pressure
No gaps between bodies

Pro Tip: If opponent defends tightly, threaten americana or kimura to get them to turn or expose the neck.

2. Transition to North-South

Shift hips and rotate around opponent’s head
Your chest now over their face/neck
Body aligned in opposite direction (heads opposite)
Keep base low and wide to avoid being rolled

Key Detail: Control the far hip with your arm or body to prevent them from following or re-guarding.

3. Thread Your Arm Under the Neck

Roll Bliss emphasizes depth: Use your near-side arm to thread under your opponent’s neck, deep enough that your bicep is under one side of their neck and your forearm is snug to the other.

Thread arm DEEP under neck
Bicep contacts one carotid
Forearm contacts opposite carotid
Elbow near their shoulder/ribs
This arm creates choking pressure

4. Drop Your Shoulder and Sprawl

Roll Bliss describes mechanics: Drop your choking-side shoulder toward their neck and sprawl your hips back to increase pressure.

Drop choking shoulder toward their neck
Sprawl hips backward
Body forms frame over theirs
Weight centered (not too far forward)
Shoulder creates primary pressure

5. Gable Grip and Squeeze

Connect hands with Gable grip (palm-to-palm, no thumbs)
Non-choking arm supports structure
Pull elbows in slightly
Drop shoulder even deeper
Maintain chest pressure

Roll Bliss emphasizes direction: Avoid lifting or arching—this loosens the choke. Instead, think of compressing in and down.

6. Finish the Choke

Compress DOWN and IN (not up)
Shoulder pressure on neck
Sprawl hips for weight
Very little arm squeezing needed
Opponent taps or sleeps

Isolating the Neck (Critical Detail)

Evolve MMA teaches key principle: After wrapping the opponent’s head with your arm, you may now move to the north-south position as you drop your body weight to the mat while sprawling your legs. A key detail in setting up the choke is to pin the opponent’s arm using your chest as you drop their arm farther from the neck.

Neck Isolation:

Pin opponent’s near arm with your chest
Drop their arm away from neck
Lower body weight onto far hand
Forces elbows to ground
Hands far from neck = defenseless neck
Critical for finishing

Critical North-South Choke Details

Body Position Over Strength

BJJ Fanatics explains Marcelo’s secret: He has flawless technique with his body positioning and adjustments, and now you can learn his style of north south choke that anyone can use.

Key Principles:

Use body weight, not arm strength
Compress DOWN into mat (not lift UP)
Shoulder creates choking pressure
Sprawl hips for maximum weight
Stay low and heavy

Direction of Pressure

Common Mistake:

Trying to lift opponent’s head up
Using arm strength to squeeze
Arching back

Correct Method:

Compress DOWN and IN
Drive shoulder into neck
Sprawl hips backward
Let gravity do the work
Minimal arm squeezing

Preventing Escape During Transition

Evolve MMA emphasizes control: Isolating and trapping the opponent’s hands while in side control is crucial.

Transition Control:

Trap near arm with chest
Control far hip during rotation
Don’t give space to turn
Maintain pressure throughout
No gaps = no escape

North-South Choke Variations

Standard Two-Arm Version

Most Common:

Thread one arm under neck
Gable grip with both hands
Drop shoulder for pressure
Sprawl hips back
Compress down

One-Arm North-South Choke

Advanced Variation:

Single arm under neck
Use head to trap opposite side
More shoulder pressure
Less arm involvement
Highly effective

From Kimura Attempt

Natural Transition:

Opponent defends kimura
Their arm position opens neck
Thread arm during kimura battle
Transition to north-south
Finish choke

Defending the North-South Choke

YouTube defense tutorial emphasizes timing: As he moves from side control to north and south he uncovers this shoulder here I can turn to my side there is no weight on top of his shoulder.

Prevention (Most Important)

Early Defense:

1. Turn to Your Side During Transition

As they move from side control to north-south
Turn shoulder toward them
No choke possible from side position
Bridge or shrimp to create space

2. Protect Your Neck

Keep chin tucked
Hands near neck
Don’t let arm thread deep
Fight early, not late

3. Control Their Transition

Don’t let them rotate smoothly
Keep them in side control
Prevent north-south position
Move as they move

Escape After Setup

If Choke Is Locked:

1. Turn Into Choking Arm

Turn your body toward their choking arm
Relieves pressure on carotids
Creates escape angle
Bridge to create space

2. Hand Fight

Get hands between their arms
Push on their elbows
Create space at neck
Frame and escape

3. Bridge and Turn

Explosive bridge
Turn to side
Escape hips
Recover guard or escape

Reality: Once deep, very difficult to escape—prevention is key.

Training North-South Choke by Belt Level

For White Belts: Position First

Learn the position before submission:

Priorities:

Understand north-south control
Practice transitioning from side control
Feel pressure mechanics
Drill on cooperative partners
Focus on body positioning

Resources about what is BJJ help beginners understand positional hierarchy.

For Blue/Purple Belts: Submission Development

Refine finishing details:

Development:

Perfect arm threading depth
Study Marcelo Garcia footage
Understand shoulder pressure
Practice against resistance
Develop from different setups

Exploring blue belt goals helps structure north-south integration.

For Brown/Black Belts: Championship Level

Master invisible details:

Advanced Focus:

Study every Marcelo Garcia finish
Perfect neck isolation
Master weight distribution
Use as transitional weapon
Finish larger opponents
Understand pressure physics

Competition Strategy

IBJJF and No-Gi Competition

Low-risk submission from dominant position:

Strategic Advantages:

Legal at all belt levels
Works gi and no-gi
From dominant top position
Low risk of reversal
Natural after passing
Proven at highest levels

Elite Sports notes preference: North-south choke is usually used in the Nogi tournaments.

ADCC and Submission Grappling

Marcelo’s Success:

2 documented ADCC finishes
Beat world-class opponents
Used against larger grapplers
High-percentage when mastered
Creates fear factor

Integration with Top Game

Natural Transitions:

After side control passing
When opponent turns away
Failed kimura/americana
From knee on belly
During scrambles

Integration with Other Techniques

Side Control System

Roll Bliss teaches setup: If your opponent is defending tightly, threaten an americana or kimura to get them to turn or expose the neck.

Attack Chain:

Secure side control
Threaten americana or kimura
Opponent defends/turns
Thread arm for north-south choke
Continuous pressure

Top Position Choke System

Complete top control submissions:

Positional Chokes:

Mount: Cross collar, Ezekiel
Back: RNC, Bow and Arrow
North-South: North-south choke
Front Headlock: Guillotine, Darce, Anaconda

Why North-South Choke Works

Marcelo Garcia’s Proof

Body Positioning Over Strength:

Competed at 77kg (170 lbs)
Beat opponents 2x his size
Used perfect technique
Body mechanics, not strength
Changed perception forever

Mechanical Advantages

Physics of the Choke:

Entire body weight on neck
Shoulder creates pressure
Both carotids compressed
Opponent can’t escape sideways
Minimal energy expenditure

Psychological Factor

Creates Fear:

Opponent knows it’s coming
Can’t stop perfect technique
Defends early (opens other attacks)
Low-risk high-reward position

The North-South Choke Legacy

From Judo’s kuzure kami shiho gatame to Marcelo Garcia’s ADCC dominance, the north-south choke represents grappling’s ultimate pressure-based submission. What makes it legendary is Marcelo’s proof that this “big man’s move” works with perfect body positioning—he submitted opponents twice his size, won four ADCC championships, and revolutionized how grapplers view technique versus strength.

The north-south choke proves a fundamental grappling truth: proper body mechanics beat size and strength. While heavier grapplers used brute force, Marcelo Garcia showed that precise positioning, shoulder pressure, and weight distribution create an unstoppable choke—finishing world champions at the highest levels of competition.

Whether you’re controlling from side control or transitioning after passing, the north-south choke provides the submission that works from dominant position with minimal risk—creating the pressure-based finish that made Marcelo Garcia a legend.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Marcelo Garcia instructional content, ADCC competition footage (2003-2011), BJJ Heroes statistical documentation, and contemporary north-south specialists. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts using north-south choke in gi and no-gi tournaments. Historical information verified through ADCC official records and Marcelo Garcia’s documented victories. Strategic applications based on elite-level competition analysis.

Sources Referenced:

BJJ Fanatics (Marcelo Garcia course)
FloGrappling (ADCC career analysis)
BJJ Heroes (competition records)
Elite Sports (mechanics guide)
Roll Bliss (technical breakdown)
Evolve MMA (positioning details)

Last Updated: January 12, 2026