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Ezekiel Choke

Quick Introduction​

The Ezekiel Choke is a unique gi submission that uses your own sleeve as a weapon. Applicable from top positions like mount and surprisingly even from inside someone's guard, this versatile choke catches opponents off guard with its unconventional setup.

Technique Overview​

Type: Strangulation (blood choke - carotid arteries)

Station: Submissions - Mount and guard positions

Available from: Mount (primary), inside closed guard, side control, transition scrambles

Finish: Forearm blade across throat while other hand (gripping own sleeve) provides leverage behind neck

Leads to: Armbar and cross collar choke combinations when defended

Ezekiel Choke Variations (3 Main Applications)​

🎯 From Mount (Classic Application)​

Setup Position

Mounted position with chest-to-chest control over opponent

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Establish solid mount position (not too high, mid-chest level)
  2. Slide one hand deep into your own opposite gi sleeve (4+ inches deep)
  3. Keep this arm bent at elbow, don't extend yet
  4. Circle hand around/behind their neck (blade of forearm toward their throat)
  5. Free hand slides behind their head/neck
  6. Grab your own gi sleeve (the one your first hand inserted into)
  7. Pull with outside hand while driving forearm across their throat
  8. Bring elbows together (squeeze motion)
  9. Drive chest weight forward
  10. Maintain pressure until tap

Critical Details

  • Insert hand into sleeve BEFORE attacking neck (don't telegraph)
  • Blade of wrist/forearm crosses throat (not point of elbow)
  • Outside hand provides the pulling power
  • Inside forearm provides the choking surface
  • Head stays low (near their head) for control
  • Chest pressure prevents their movement
  • Elbows come together in squeezing motion
  • Your grip is on your own sleeve, not theirs

Tactical Advantage

Unexpected attack; works when collar grips are defended; requires only your own gi; effective from dominant position; minimal telegraphing

⚔️ From Inside Guard (Aggressive Option)​

Setup Position

Inside opponent's closed guard (you are in their guard)

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Establish posture inside their closed guard
  2. One hand grips deep into your own opposite sleeve
  3. Posting hand (or both initially) maintains base
  4. Snake sleeved arm around their neck
  5. Blade of forearm across their throat
  6. Free hand goes behind their head
  7. Grab your own sleeve behind their neck
  8. Posture up while pulling sleeve
  9. Drive choking forearm down across throat
  10. Expand chest and squeeze until tap

Critical Details

  • Controversial position (you're attacking from bottom)
  • Requires excellent posture and base
  • Works when they're not threatening you
  • Surprising because you're in "their" position
  • Must maintain balance throughout
  • Their guard can help trap them if they don't open it
  • Quick finish or abandon and recover posture

Tactical Advantage

Psychological advantage; unexpected from guard bottom; forces them to open guard; creates passing opportunities; high surprise factor

🔄 Reverse Ezekiel (Alternative Angle)​

Setup Position

Mount or controlling position with alternative angle opportunity

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Have mount or dominant position
  2. Hand goes into your own sleeve (same as standard)
  3. Instead of going around front of neck
  4. Circle behind their head more deeply
  5. Come across throat from opposite angle
  6. Outside hand reinforces from different side
  7. Pull and squeeze with same mechanics
  8. Creates different pressure angle
  9. Finishes with similar structure

Critical Details

  • Mirror image of standard technique
  • Useful when standard angle is blocked
  • Same mechanical principles apply
  • Less common so catches people off guard
  • Requires spatial awareness

Tactical Advantage

Alternative when standard is defended; adds unpredictability to mount attacks; keeps opponent guessing

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Your sleeve is the tool - Not their gi, yours
  2. 💪 Blade of forearm - Not elbow point; proper surface critical
  3. ⏱️ Position before submission - Especially from mount
  4. 🔄 Pull-push mechanics - Outside hand pulls while inside arm drives
  5. 🎮 Position selection - Choose based on situation:
    • Mount → Safest and highest percentage
    • Inside guard → Aggressive but risky
    • Reverse → When standard angle blocked

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Gi Utilization: Uses your own equipment as weapon
  • Leverage: Outside hand pulling creates mechanical advantage
  • Two-Way Action: Push-pull creates compression
  • Weight Distribution: From mount, body weight amplifies choke
  • Positional Control: Dominant position enables technique
  • Surprise Element: Unconventional attack disrupts opponent's defense patterns

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Not getting deep enough into own sleeve - Shallow grip = weak finish

⚠️ Telegraphing the attack - Grip sleeve before positioning near neck

⚠️ Using elbow point instead of forearm blade - Ineffective and painful

⚠️ Losing mount while attempting - Don't overcommit; maintain position first

⚠️ From guard: Losing posture and balance - Get stacked or swept easily

⚠️ Pulling apart instead of squeezing together - Elbows must come together

⚠️ Not using chest weight from mount - Drive forward to amplify pressure

🎓 Training Progressions​

Solo Drills​

  1. Sleeve Grip Practice (5 minutes daily)

    • Practice gripping your own sleeve deeply
    • Both sides
    • Build comfort with the grip
    • Develop speed of entry
    • Train muscle memory

  2. Forearm Positioning (10 reps each side)

    • Practice blade of forearm position on your own leg
    • Feel the correct surface
    • Distinguish from elbow point
    • Build awareness of correct contact

  3. Mount Simulation (Against dummy/pillow)

    • Practice full sequence from mount
    • Focus on maintaining base
    • Sleeve grip to neck circle to finish
    • 10 slow reps each side

Partner Drills​

Level 1: Cooperative (No Resistance)

  • Partner gives you mount or allows guard position
  • Practice full ezekiel sequence 10 times each side
  • Focus: Sleeve grip depth, blade position, proper mechanics
  • Stop at light pressure (safety critical)

Level 2: Light Resistance (25%)

  • Partner makes basic defenses (turning head, hand blocking)
  • Practice maintaining position while setting up
  • Focus: Speed of setup, position maintenance
  • Don't force choke; feel the mechanics

Level 3: Positional Sparring (50%)

  • Start from mount with ezekiel as goal
  • Partner actively defends but stays in position
  • Focus: Timing, disguising setup, recognizing opportunities
  • Maintain mount even if choke unavailable

Level 4: Live Application (100%)

  • Full rolling, hunt ezekiel from achieved positions
  • Focus: Position first, then submission
  • Combine with other mount attacks
  • From guard: Only attempt if truly safe
  • Tap early for safety (blood choke)

Common Setup Drills​

Drill 1: Mount Control to Ezekiel

  1. Achieve mount position
  2. Stabilize position (3 seconds)
  3. Grip own sleeve (non-telegraphed)
  4. Attack ezekiel
  5. Partner defends
  6. Reset and repeat
  7. 10 reps each side

See mount control

Drill 2: Ezekiel to Armbar Flow

  1. Setup ezekiel from mount
  2. Partner defends by grabbing your arms
  3. Abandon ezekiel
  4. Transition to armbar
  5. Partner defends armbar
  6. Return to mount
  7. Continuous flow for 5 minutes

Drill 3: Guard Ezekiel Entry (Advanced)

  1. Establish posture in their guard
  2. Grip sleeve
  3. Attack ezekiel
  4. If defended, use to pass guard
  5. Partner learns to defend
  6. Flow drill for 3 minutes
  7. Only for intermediate+ students

Progression Timeline​

Following training methods:

  • Week 1-2: Learn basic mechanics from mount (no resistance)
  • Week 3-4: Add light resistance, grip fighting
  • Week 5-8: Positional drilling with combinations
  • Month 3-6: Live application from mount consistently
  • Month 6+: Add inside guard variation (controversial), teaching others

🔧 Troubleshooting Guide​

Problem: Can't Get Hand Deep Enough Into Own Sleeve​

Solutions:

  1. Make sure your gi sleeves aren't too tight
  2. Practice the grip during warm-up
  3. Use your fingers to widen sleeve opening first
  4. Insert hand earlier before attempting technique
  5. Some gis work better than others for ezekiel
  6. Legal gi sleeves should accommodate this

Problem: Opponent Turns Head and Defends​

Solutions:

  1. Speed up your setup (less telegraphing)
  2. Grip sleeve before they realize what you're doing
  3. Use other attacks to distract (collar choke threat)
  4. Be more patient - wait for opening
  5. Control their head with your chest position
  6. Attack when they're focused elsewhere

Problem: Choke Feels Weak​

Solutions:

  1. Verify blade of forearm (not elbow point) on throat
  2. Check grip depth in your own sleeve (4+ inches)
  3. Pull harder with outside hand (this creates the pressure)
  4. Squeeze elbows together (don't pull apart)
  5. From mount, drive chest weight forward
  6. Ensure proper positioning behind their neck

Problem: Losing Mount While Setting Up​

Solutions:

  1. Don't overcommit if position isn't stable
  2. Establish solid mount first
  3. Keep weight distributed properly
  4. Don't sit up too high while attacking
  5. Abandon choke if losing position
  6. Use base legs to maintain mount
  7. Position always before submission

Problem: From Guard - Getting Swept or Submitted​

Solutions:

  1. Only attempt with excellent posture
  2. Maintain strong base throughout
  3. If they threaten you, abandon immediately
  4. This variation is risky - know when not to attempt
  5. Against good guards, stick to mount version
  6. Don't force it from bottom position

Problem: Can't Reach Behind Their Neck​

Solutions:

  1. Ensure you're not too high in mount
  2. Circle your arm wider around their head
  3. May need to adjust angle slightly
  4. Their head position affects this - control it
  5. Some body types make this harder
  6. Consider alternative techniques if consistently failing

🔄 Attack Chains & Combinations​

Ezekiel → Armbar Flow​

When they defend ezekiel:

  1. They grab your arms to prevent choke
  2. Their arms are extended upward
  3. Abandon ezekiel setup
  4. Capture extended arm
  5. Transition to armbar from mount
  6. High percentage combination

Learn armbar technique

Mount → Cross Collar → Ezekiel → Armbar​

Complete mount attack system:

  1. Threaten cross collar choke
  2. They defend collar grips
  3. Switch to ezekiel (uses your sleeve, not theirs)
  4. They defend by grabbing your arms
  5. Finish armbar
  6. Continuous pressure creates opening

Learn cross collar choke

From Guard → Ezekiel Threat → Pass​

From inside closed guard:

  1. Establish posture
  2. Begin ezekiel setup
  3. They defend by opening guard or adjusting
  4. Use their reaction to pass guard
  5. Establish mount or side control
  6. Technique becomes passing tool

Ezekiel → Triangle Defense​

If they counter from guard:

  1. You attempt ezekiel from inside their guard
  2. They attack triangle
  3. Your arms are already in defensive position
  4. Use ezekiel grip structure to defend triangle
  5. Extract and pass or reset

💡 Advanced Concepts​

Historical Context​

Judo Origin:

  • Developed in judo (Sode Guruma Jime)
  • Named after judoka who used it in Brazil
  • Adapted to BJJ over time
  • Works gi and technically no-gi (harder without sleeve)

Cultural Impact:

  • Sometimes called "Shime" in judo circles
  • Known as disrespectful to attempt from inside guard
  • Psychological warfare tool
  • Shows dominance when finished from bottom

From Different Positions​

From Side Control

  • Modified angle required
  • Less common but available
  • Combines with shoulder pressure
  • Lower percentage but surprise factor

From Mount Variations

  • High mount ezekiel (harder)
  • Low mount ezekiel (standard)
  • S-mount ezekiel (advanced)
  • Each offers different angles

From North-South

  • Very tight position
  • Modified grip angles
  • Advanced application
  • Rarely seen but effective

Gi Requirements and Legality​

Competition Legal:

  • Legal in all major gi competitions
  • Using own sleeve is allowed
  • Must wear legal gi
  • Sleeve length regulations matter

Gi Specifications:

  • Sleeves must extend to wrist
  • Can't be too tight (rule enforcement)
  • Some gis better suited (traditional cut)
  • Check competition gi requirements

No-Gi Adaptation​

Limited Application:

  • Technically possible without sleeve
  • Much harder to execute
  • Gable grip behind neck alternative
  • Not common in no-gi
  • Better techniques available without gi

When Relevant:

  • MMA with rash guard grip
  • No-gi with proper hand position
  • Modified mechanics required
  • Gi version much more reliable

Controversy: From Inside Guard​

Arguments Against:

  • Considered "disrespectful" by some
  • You're in disadvantaged position
  • Risky against good guard players
  • Can be seen as stalling

Arguments For:

  • Legal technique
  • Effective when it works
  • Psychological impact
  • Forces guard opening

Recommendation:

  • Master from mount first
  • Use guard version sparingly
  • Know your opponent's skill level
  • In competition, judge risk vs reward
  • Training: Ask partners if they mind

🎯 Belt-Level Expectations​

White Belt Goals​

Referenced in Beginner's Journey:

  • Understand ezekiel mechanics (Month 5-6)
  • Execute from mount with cooperative partner
  • Learn proper sleeve grip and forearm position
  • Differentiate blade vs elbow point
  • Safe application
  • Only attempt from mount initially

Blue Belt Development​

Referenced in Skill Progression:

  • Ezekiel from mount becomes reliable
  • Combination with other mount attacks
  • Understanding of appropriate timing
  • Begin experimenting with inside guard variation
  • Finish rate improves
  • Integration into mount attack system

Purple Belt Mastery​

  • Ezekiel is part of complete mount game
  • Comfortable with all variations
  • Teaching ability
  • Strategic use of guard version
  • High finish rate from mount
  • Combinations flow naturally
  • Competition application
  • Understanding of psychological aspects

🎯 Next Steps​

After understanding ezekiel fundamentals:

  1. Perfect mount version first → Safest and most reliable application
  2. Master sleeve grip → Practice daily until automatic
  3. Learn combinations → Ezekiel to armbar flow essential
  4. Study mount control → Mount position enables technique
  5. Practice blade position → Critical detail for effectiveness
  6. Add to mount system → Works with cross collar choke

🔗 Related Resources​

Position Prerequisites​

Combination Techniques​

Theoretical Foundation​

Progress Tracking​