North-South Choke

  • BJJ
  • Front Headlock Chokes
  • advanced
  • North-south
  • 3 steps

From the north-south position, wrap under the chin and drop your shoulder to compress the neck. Also known as the NS choke. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    North-south position

    Settle into north-south with your chest over their head and shoulders.

    North-South Choke step 1 of 3: North-south position
  2. 02

    Wrap under the chin

    Slide your near arm under their neck, cinch the crook of your elbow under the chin and clamp it to your side.

    North-South Choke step 2 of 3: Wrap under the chin
  3. 03

    Drop the shoulder & finish

    Lower your shoulder and chest, walk your hips toward their head and squeeze to compress the neck.

    North-South Choke step 3 of 3: Drop the shoulder & finish

Key details

  • Get the crook of the elbow under the chin, not across the face.
  • Clamp the arm to your ribs and use shoulder pressure, not just the arm.
  • Walk your hips toward their head to tighten.

Common mistakes

  • Wrapping across the jaw instead of under the chin.
  • Squeezing with the arm alone.
  • Leaving space so they turn their chin in.

Related techniques

See it animated in DARCE

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