What is the Ezekiel Choke?
The Ezekiel choke uses your own sleeve as a anchor while your forearm and wrist compress the neck. It catches opponents who focus on blocking collar chokes or framing in mount, making it a valuable secondary gi attack.
Setup
- From mount, slide one hand under the head and grab your opposite sleeve at the cuff.
- Place the forearm across the throat with the blade of the wrist on the carotid.
- Pull the sleeve hand toward you while driving the choking forearm down.
Execution
- Keep elbows tight and expand your chest.
- Apply pressure gradually — the choke tightens as you pull the sleeve.
- From inside guard, thread the forearm across the neck before they open the guard.
Finishing
- Do not rely on neck cranking — aim for clean forearm pressure.
- Switch sides if the first angle is blocked by frames.
⚠️
Safety Note
Ezekiel pressure can crank if the forearm rides onto the jaw. Seat the blade on the neck, squeeze progressively, and release immediately on tap.
Primary Targets
- Neck
Key Concepts
- Your sleeve is the pulley — forearm is the blade.
- Works best when the opponent ignores sleeve grips.
- Set up by threatening cross-collar to open the neck line.
Primary Entries
- Mount when opponent focuses on hip frames instead of neck defense.
- Inside closed guard when you need a submission before opening the guard.
- Side control transitions when head control is available.
Defenses & Counters
- Expect frames that block the forearm path — clear the neck line or switch sides before pulling the sleeve.
- Watch for chin tucks and two-on-one sleeve fights that kill depth; re-insert under the head first.
- If they bridge hard from mount, settle your base and keep the sleeve grip rather than chasing a crank.
Follow-Ups
- Cross-collar choke when they lift the chin and open the collar line.
- Arm triangle if they turn toward you under the forearm.
- Settle mount and re-threaten when the first angle is framed off.
- Cross-collar when they lift the chin to defend.
- Arm triangle when they turn toward you.
- Mount stabilization when the choke forces defensive reactions.
Training Drills
- Sleeve grip insertion from mount with partner framing.
- Ezekiel from inside closed guard with timed entries.
- Collar threat to Ezekiel chain drill.
Related Techniques
Deepen your study with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
The Ezekiel is a gi specialist’s surprise attack. Hide the sleeve grip, slide the forearm across the neck, and pull tight — it finishes quietly when setup correctly.