Any time a training partner points out to me that I had an opportunity to sink in a collar choke, I immediately explain that I avoid them like the plague. It’s true – I often won’t go near collar chokes, as I find I have a very difficult time finishing them. That being said, this next technique is one of my favorite lapel chokes. That’s not to say I’m good at it, ’cause I’m not. I simply like setting this one up, even if I can’t finish it. It’s one of those moves where you seem to be giving up control and putting yourself in a bad spot, but if done correctly you will be safe the whole time.
As our post title suggests, this is a choke from half-guard. Top, to be specific. Your partner has your right leg trapped. Her left hand is between your right elbow and your ribs, giving her a an underhook on your right side. If your torso is up near her head, this will give her more leverage with the underhook as she can slide more of her arm through.
To prevent this, slide your body down closer to her wrist, pinning her arm down to her side. This neutralizes the underhook, but the nature of the pin does not leave much room for attack. We will have to raise our body eventually, and what will our partner do as soon as we do? Reassert the underhook, of course.
Knowing the opponent’s next move will allow us to capitalize upon it. As you raise your body, your partner’s hand rises to reclaim the underhook. As this happens, feed her left lapel under her left armpit and to your right hand. Your left forearm now snakes behind her head from her right side, and as you pass the lapel back to your left hand you establish a powerful crossface. It is important to make sure to pull as much material as possible with the lapel so that the gi is tight in your partner’s left armpit and you have enough to make a solid grip at the end.
The next step is where it seems like you are relinquishing control. Place your right arm between yourself and your partner in such a way that your forearm lines up with the right side of the neck, with your thumb pointed towards the back of the neck (as opposed to the floor). Pass the gi lapel (still behind the neck) from your left hand to your right. At this point you have completely exposed your right side to your partner, and therefore it it imperative that you keep your right side tight to your partner’s upper body so there is no space to escape the position.
To finalize the choke, use your free left hand to grab any amount of cloth you can behind your partner’s left shoulder. Bring your forearm down on the neck, then lower your head and chest over it and squeeze to apply the submission.
Your partner, realizing the trouble she is in, may extend her left arm, pushing at your choking arm in an attempt to defend. In fact, she has just made matters worse for herself. Deflect or pull the arm across your body so that it is extended between the two of you. Bring your chest down on it, using your body weight to drive her shoulder into her neck, finishing the choke.