Choke
White

Ezekiel Choke: A White Belt's Biomechanical Guide

Q: How can I effectively use the Ezekiel Choke against a much larger opponent from closed guard?

Against a larger opponent, leverage is paramount. Focus on a deep posture break by pulling their head down and keeping your hips tight. Ensure your choking arm is fully extended into their collar, and use your entire body weight to drive the choke, rather than just arm strength. A solid grip on your own wrist is crucial for leverage.

The Ezekiel Choke is primarily applied from Closed Guard, aiming to secure a submission by constricting the carotid arteries. It can also be initiated from side control or mount.

White belts often struggle due to poor grip strength, incorrect body positioning, and a tendency to rely on brute force rather than leverage. This leads to ineffective attempts and potential injury.

The key mechanical insight is using your forearm as a blade and your opponent's gi sleeve as a fulcrum to create leverage and pressure.

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Contents

Grips & Mechanics

Grip: Right hand enters opponent's right collar with palm facing up, thumb inside. Left hand grips own right wrist with palm facing down (like shaking hands with yourself).
Position: From closed guard, establish a strong posture break by pulling opponent's head down and forward.
Frame: Ensure your hips are tight against their hips, preventing them from posturing up or creating space.
Initiation: Slide your right forearm deep into their collar, ensuring your elbow is slightly lower than their chin.
Leverage Point: Your left hand grips your right wrist, creating a rigid structure. This is your primary control point.
Pressure Application: Rotate your left forearm outwards (away from your body) while simultaneously driving your right forearm inwards towards their throat.
Body Alignment: Keep your back relatively straight, driving your hips slightly forward to increase the choking pressure.
Completion: Maintain steady pressure until submission or until you need to transition.

⚠️ White Belt Warnings

Incorrect Grip & Force: Grabbing the gi sleeve too loosely with the non-choking hand and attempting to 'pull hard' can lead to ulnar collateral ligament (elbow) strain or hyperextension.
Over-Arching Back: Arching your lower back excessively to generate power puts undue stress on the lumbar spine, risking disc compression or facet joint injury.
Neck Crank Attempt: Trying to force the choke by driving your head into their neck instead of focusing on the forearm pressure can lead to cervical spine hyperextension or facet joint impingement.

Drill Progressions

Solo Grip Practice: Practice forming the Ezekiel Choke grip (right hand in collar, left hand on right wrist) 20 times, focusing on the hand placement and wrist lock.
Static Closed Guard Practice: From closed guard, practice breaking posture and sliding the choking arm in, holding the grip for 5 seconds, 15 reps. 0% resistance.
Controlled Movement Drill: Partner allows you to secure the grips and apply static pressure without resisting the choke. Hold for 5 seconds, 10 reps. 25% resistance.
Assisted Choke Drill: Partner actively tries to defend minimally (e.g., slight frame with arms) while you execute the choke. Hold until they tap or you release. 10 reps. 50% resistance.
Situational Choke Drill: Start from closed guard with partner postured. Execute the choke. Partner defends more actively. 10 reps. 75% resistance.
Live Rolling (Ezekiel Focus): Attempt the Ezekiel Choke from closed guard during rolling. Focus on correct setup and execution, not necessarily completion. 5-minute rounds, 3 rounds. 90-100% resistance.

When to Use & Counters

WHEN TO ATTEMPT:
From closed guard, when opponent attempts to posture up or create space.
From side control, when opponent tries to shrimp away and create a gap.
From mount, when opponent tries to bridge or frame with their hands.
PRIMARY COUNTERS:
Elbow Escape: If the choking arm is not deep enough, the opponent can bring their elbow to their chin, creating a frame and blocking the choke.
Posture Up & Frame: Opponent can regain posture by lifting their head and using their free arm to frame against your shoulder, creating space to disengage.
Spin Under: If the choke is loose, the opponent can spin their hips underneath you and attempt to escape to a better position.

Common BJJ Problems & FAQ

Q: Why does my wrist hurt when I try the Ezekiel Choke from guard?

Wrist pain often occurs because you're gripping your own wrist with excessive flexion or extension, or using too much radial deviation. Ensure your left hand grips your right wrist in a neutral, handshake-like position, and focus on rotating your forearm for pressure, not bending your wrist forcefully.

Q: How can I effectively use the Ezekiel Choke against a much larger opponent from closed guard?

Against a larger opponent, leverage is paraMount. Focus on a deep posture break by pulling their head down and keeping your hips tight. Ensure your choking arm is fully extended into their collar, and use your entire body weight to drive the choke, rather than just arm strength. A solid grip on your own wrist is crucial for leverage.

Q: I keep getting my Ezekiel Choke defended easily, what am I doing wrong?

Defenses are often successful because the setup is too slow or the choke is applied without sufficient tightness. Ensure you break posture effectively before entering the choke. When applying pressure, think of 'squeezing' with your forearms and rotating your body, rather than just pulling. A quick, decisive entry is key.

🥋 Related Techniques

Rear Naked Choke Triangle Choke Guillotine Choke Bow and Arrow Choke D'Arce Choke

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Techniques that connect with Ezekiel Choke

Closed Guard →Lapel Choke →Armbar →