What is the Loop Choke?
The loop choke feeds a deep collar grip, then uses your other arm and head position to close a strangling loop around the neck. It often appears when an opponent postures inside closed or open guard and leaves a collar available.
Setup
- Secure a deep cross-collar grip with fingers inside the lapel behind the neck.
- Break posture so their head drops toward the gripped collar side.
- Bring your free arm over or around the head to close the loop.
Execution
- Pull the collar while wrapping the free arm to trap the head.
- Fall or angle toward the collar side to remove slack.
- Expand your chest and pinch elbows to finish the strangle.
Finishing
- Keep the collar grip deep; shallow grips become neck cranks.
- If they posture hard, switch to a guillotine or back take rather than ripping.
- Release on tap — collar chokes can finish without much drama once the loop closes.
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Safety Note
Shallow loop chokes can crank the neck instead of strangling cleanly. Prioritize collar depth and posture control, and release immediately on tap.
Primary Targets
- Neck
Key Concepts
- Depth on the collar decides whether it is a choke or a crank.
- Posture break first; the loop second.
- Angle toward the grip — fighting square often stalls the finish.
Primary Entries
- Closed guard when they posture with a reachable collar.
- Front headlock or sprawl moments with a loose lapel.
- Scrambles after failed collar-drag entries.
Defenses & Counters
- Expect hand fighting on the collar — retake depth before closing the loop.
- Watch for posture snaps that clear your free arm; re-break posture or abandon.
- If they turn the wrong way, follow to back control instead of forcing the loop.
Follow-Ups
- Cross-collar choke when both lapels become available.
- Guillotine if the collar slips but the neck stays trapped.
- Back take when they turn away from the loop.
Training Drills
- Deep collar inserts from closed guard with posture breaks
- Loop-close reps to a light tap, then reset
- Collar-drag to loop-choke chains
Related Techniques
Deepen your study with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Loop chokes reward collar depth and posture control. Feed the lapel, break their head down, close the loop with your free arm, and finish on an angle — or move on when the grip goes shallow.