The clock choke is a high-percentage gi submission applied from the top when the opponent is in turtle. It uses a lapel grip and body rotation to create a powerful strangle, often catching opponents who are defending guard passes or escapes.
Start
Top of opponent in turtle
End
Submission
Prerequisites: Cross-face control · Establishing a collar grip · Sprawling to prevent sit-outs · Maintaining top turtle pressure
Steps
1
Secure the far-side collar grip
With your left hand, reach under the opponent’s chin and grip deep into their far-side lapel (palm up), aiming for four fingers inside and thumb outside, keeping your wrist straight for maximum pressure.
2
Anchor your chest and sprawl
Drop your chest heavy onto their upper back, sprawling your legs back to prevent them from rolling or sitting out, while maintaining tight hip contact.
3
Block the near-side arm
With your right hand, post on the mat beside their near-side arm or hook their elbow to prevent them from turning into you or defending the choke.
4
Walk your body around the head
Keeping your chest pressure constant, walk your hips in a clockwise arc around their head (if your left hand is choking), driving your weight forward and pulling their collar taut.
5
Drop your hips and extend legs
As you walk, slide your hips away from their body and extend your legs back, creating maximum tension on the collar by using your bodyweight rather than just your arms.
6
Finish the choke
Continue rotating your body and pulling the collar until their chin is forced down and the lapel closes off both sides of their neck, maintaining chest pressure to prevent escapes.
Key details most people miss
The deeper your collar grip, the less space for their chin and the tighter the choke—aim for your knuckles to touch the far-side of their neck.
Walking your hips in a wide arc, rather than just circling close to their body, maximizes leverage and choke pressure.
Keep your choking arm’s elbow tight to their chest to prevent them from stripping your grip or rolling out.
Do not rely on arm strength—use your bodyweight and hip movement to tighten the choke.
Common mistakes
If you grip shallow on the collar, the opponent can tuck their chin and survive the choke.
Failing to block the near-side arm allows them to turn in and escape or defend the lapel.
If you circle too close to their body, you lose leverage and the choke becomes a neck crank instead of a strangle.
Lifting your hips instead of dropping them reduces collar tension and gives space for the opponent to defend.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent grabs your choking wrist and peels it off their neck
You do: Switch to a one-arm clock choke by reinforcing your grip with your head or transition to a bow-and-arrow choke if they expose their back.
They try: Opponent rolls toward you to escape
You do: Follow the roll, maintaining collar grip, and transition to back control with seatbelt if the choke loosens.
They try: Opponent tucks chin and blocks collar access
You do: Use your free hand to lift their chin or bait them to reach with their near arm, then re-shoot the collar grip deeper.
They try: Opponent posts their leg to block your walk-around
You do: Switch your walking angle or trap their leg with your own to continue circling and finish the choke.
Drill prescription
6 rounds × 2 min; 50% resistance; goal: 4 clean tap finishes per round, with partner actively defending the collar and rolling.
How the masters teach it
Saulo Ribeiro
Emphasizes deep collar grip and wide hip walk for maximum leverage and control.
WorldMartialArts
Roger Gracie
Focuses on chest pressure and using minimal grip strength, relying on bodyweight for the finish.