The cross collar choke, juji-jime (十字絞), is a gi strangle where your hands grip deep in both collars and your crossed forearms close on the throat. Judo lists three versions under juji-jime (十字絞), the cross strangle.
- Japanese names: nami-juji-jime (並十字絞), both thumbs inside; gyaku-juji-jime (逆十字絞), both sets of fingers inside; kata-juji-jime (片十字絞), one of each.
- Kodokan classification: shime-waza, a choking technique.
- In BJJ: a basic attack from mount and closed guard; BJJ Heroes says Helio Gracie finished four of his eight submission wins with it.
What are the three Kodokan versions?
The Kodokan defines nami-juji-jime as gripping both side collars with the thumbs inside and pushing both hands; gyaku-juji-jime as gripping with four fingers of both hands inside and tightening the arms; and kata-juji-jime as one hand with four fingers inside and the other with the thumb inside, pulling the first and pushing the second. In every case the wrists cross in front of the neck.
BJJ Heroes traces the cross choke to the Kodokan shime-waza list by way of Mitsuyo Maeda, and names Roger Gracie's 2009 double gold at the Worlds as the best known run of cross chokes from mount.
How do you do the cross collar choke?
The steps follow kata-juji-jime from mount, the version most BJJ schools teach first.
- First grip deep. Open the collar with one hand and slide the other hand in, four fingers inside, palm up, as far as the back of the neck.
- Second grip over the top. Cross the second hand over the first wrist and grip the other collar with the thumb inside, as deep as the first.
- Elbows in. Bring both elbows toward each other so the blades of your wrists sit on the sides of the neck.
- Pull and push. Pull the first hand toward you and push the second hand across, as the definition says, turning your palms toward you.
- Drop your head. Lower your head to the mat beside theirs so the squeeze comes from your chest and shoulders, slowly, until they tap.
The common mistake is a shallow second grip; the choke then presses the windpipe and feels like a crank. Both hands go deep, the wrists cross close to the neck, and the finish comes from bringing the elbows together, slowly.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
Is the cross collar choke legal?
In BJJ the IBJJF Rules Book's table of illegal moves does not list it; for children under 16 the table bans chokes combined with a spinal lock. In judo, collar chokes are legal and a tap scores ippon; the IJF Sport and Organisation Rules penalise with shido a choke made with the belt, the bottom of the jacket or the fingers alone.
Can you do cross collar choke from the guard?
The same grips work from closed guard, with your partner's posture broken down over you. Our BJJ training gear is rash guards and spats for rounds with and without the gi.
Sources
- Kodokan defines nami-juji-jime, Kodokan Judo Institute
- BJJ Heroes traces the cross choke, BJJ Heroes
- IJF Sport and Organisation Rules, International Judo Federation
- IBJJF Rules Book, IBJJF
Related terms
Mount, Closed guard, Ezekiel choke, Sliding collar choke, Chokes, Gi.