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North-South Choke

Quick Introduction​

The north-south choke uses your arms to compress both carotids while your full body weight pins the opponent. Threading deep under their neck from north-south creates a vice that's nearly invisible to the person on bottom — they can't see you coming. Works gi and no-gi.

Position Overview​

From: North-South (primary), transition from Side Control | Finish: Dual-arm compression on carotid arteries

Classic North-South Choke (Arm-In)​

  1. Establish solid north-south position with chest pressure
  2. Trap their near arm between your bodies
  3. Thread near arm deep under their neck toward far side
  4. Far arm wraps over their neck from opposite side
  5. Lock hands together (gable grip or S-grip)
  6. Squeeze elbows toward each other
  7. Drive shoulder pressure into their face
  8. Walk legs toward their head to increase angle
  9. Expand chest while maintaining squeeze

Key detail: Threading depth determines everything. Your hand should reach their far shoulder — anything less and the choke won't finish.

North-South Kimura Hybrid​

  1. North-south position with their near arm isolated
  2. Figure-4 kimura grip on their arm
  3. Bottom arm threads under their neck (choke pressure)
  4. Top arm controls wrist (shoulder lock pressure)
  5. Dual threat — they must defend both simultaneously

Key detail: This hybrid is devastating because they can't defend the choke and the kimura at the same time. Feel which is tighter and commit.

Core Principles​

  1. Deep threading — shallow position equals no pressure
  2. Shoulder pressure — drive into their face for control, not just arms
  3. Elbows squeeze together — creates compression from both sides
  4. Walk legs for angle — foot position adjusts the finishing angle
  5. Weight keeps them flat — chest-to-chest pressure throughout

Common Mistakes​

MistakeFix
Not threading deep enoughHand must reach their far shoulder
Elbows flaringSqueeze together — this IS the choke
Lifting head/sitting upStay low, shoulder pressure into face
Static positionWalk legs toward their head for angle

Next Steps​

  1. Side Control - Transition to north-south from here
  2. Kimura - Standalone shoulder lock from similar position
  3. Armbar - When they extend arms defending