As a fundamental aspect of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, chokeholds against an opponent are an extremely common part of the sport. Whether you are executing them or defending against one, understanding different chokes can help improve your skills and understanding of BJJ. From white belts to black, these particular moves can be completed by all athletes. This is a more in-depth look at brabo, loop, and guillotine chokes. 

Brabo Chokes

This chokehold was credited to Leonardo Vieira, founder of the Checkmat Academy. It can be performed by the aggressor in a couple of different positions, including side control and half guard. It focuses on using your opponent’s gi against them. 

1. In side control, you grab your opponent’s lapel with your right hand, move it behind their head and switch hands, grabbing it with your left. This limits the opponent’s range of movement. 

2. From there, you switch hands again and grab the lapel with your right hand. You can pursue a couple of different chokes from that point. 

3. One option is to grab the opponent’s shoulder with your left hand, push down with your arm on their neck, and pull the lapel behind their head. This pressure limits their airway and can force a submission. 

Loop Chokes

Loop Chokes are a more fundamental chokehold that can be practiced earlier on in your training. Similar to the brabo choke, you use your opponent’s gi to submit them. An important part of this choke is the grip. 

1. Looking at your opponent, grab the right side of their collar with your opposite hand (left). The grip needs to be tight and high up on their neck. 

2. With your other hand (right), pull their head into your armpit and elbow of your choking hand (left). This will lock their head in that position and prevent their escape. 

3. Finish by rotating your hands away from each other and apply pressure. This will complete the submission.

Guillotine Chokes

This choke, while sounding very intimidating, is actually fairly simple to perform. It’s used widely across the sport by athletes from all levels and can be done in multiple different positions. Named after the torture device, this move resembles it by putting your opponent’s head in a similar position. 

1. Pull your opponent’s head into your armpit, resembling a headlock essentially, and grab their collar with one arm. Be careful of any trips or defense they might take against you. 

2. Wrap your arm around their neck and grab your other hand’s wrist. From there you can sit down, bring your opponent to the ground, and close your guard.

3. Squeeze your elbows together and apply pressure, finishing the submission by cutting off their airway. 

These are only a few ways to choke your opponent via submission. Over the years, athletes and instructors have developed and created new chokeholds within mixed martial arts. Having a basic understanding of these moves will certainly improve your offense and game.