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.
When to use it
Use the north-south choke when you move to north-south from side control and the opponent frames on your hip or chest. The frame lifts their head off the mat, so slide the near arm under the neck and clamp the elbow under the chin. Keep your chest heavy so they cannot turn away.
Step by step
- 01
North-south position
Settle into north-south with your chest over their head and shoulders.
- 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.
- 03
Drop the shoulder & finish
Lower your shoulder and chest, walk your hips toward their head and squeeze to compress the neck.
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.
Common counters
Opponents turn the chin in, push your shoulder away, or shrimp out from under you. If you squeeze with the arm alone, they slip free. Drop the shoulder and walk your hips toward their head.
How to drill it
From side control, walk to north-south, slide the arm under the neck and finish slowly, ten reps on each side. Then do three rounds of one minute where your partner tries to turn and escape.
Related techniques
Train it with the AI coach