The Ezekiel choke from bottom closed guard is a gi-based submission where you use your own sleeve and forearm to strangle an opponent from your back. It is an unexpected attack that can catch top players off guard, especially when they focus on passing rather than defending their neck.
Start
Bottom closed guard
End
Submission
Prerequisites: Breaking opponent posture · Cross-collar grip · Sleeve feeding · Hip movement from closed guard
Steps
1
Establish Sleeve Grip
With your right hand, reach across and grab your own left sleeve at the wrist or forearm, forming a pocket with your left sleeve for your choking hand.
2
Feed Choking Arm Across Neck
Slide your left hand (palm down, fingers extended) across the opponent’s throat, aiming to place your forearm as deep as possible under their chin, with your left elbow flared slightly to maximize contact.
3
Break Opponent’s Posture
Pull down with your legs and use your right sleeve grip to drag the opponent’s head forward, bringing their chin closer to your chest and exposing their neck.
4
Lock the Choke
With your left hand deep under the chin, close your left fingers into your right sleeve, forming a tight loop around the opponent’s neck with your forearm and sleeve.
5
Anchor and Angle
Use your right hand to reinforce the sleeve grip and keep your right elbow tight to your side, while angling your body slightly to your left to increase leverage and prevent your arm from being pushed off.
6
Apply Pressure
Flex your left wrist and drive your left forearm across the trachea, simultaneously pulling with your right hand on the sleeve and squeezing your elbows together to compress both sides of the neck.
7
Finish the Choke
Maintain closed guard with your legs to prevent posture escape, and continue pulling and squeezing until you get the tap, keeping your head close to the opponent’s head to prevent them from posturing up.
Key details most people miss
The deeper the choking hand enters under the chin, the more effective the strangle; aim to reach past the opponent’s ear if possible.
Keep your elbows tight and close together during the finish to maximize pressure and prevent space for escape.
Use your legs actively to break posture and pull the opponent’s head down at the moment you lock the choke.
Flex your choking wrist and use the blade of your forearm, not just the sleeve, to maximize discomfort and pressure.
Common mistakes
If you fail to break the opponent’s posture first, they can easily posture up and nullify the choke.
If your choking hand is shallow (not deep under the chin), the opponent can block your forearm or tuck their chin to defend.
If you leave your elbows wide, the opponent can create space and slip their head free.
If you don’t maintain closed guard with your legs, the opponent can stand or pass while you’re attacking.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent postures up hard to break your grip.
You do: Use your legs to pull them back down and angle your body to the side to maintain head control and re-establish the choke.
They try: Opponent blocks your choking forearm with their hand.
You do: Circle your choking arm in a windshield-wiper motion to clear their hand, then re-insert deep under the chin.
They try: Opponent stands up to open your guard and relieve pressure.
You do: Use your legs to climb higher on their back, breaking their balance forward and re-tightening the choke.
They try: Opponent turns their head and tucks their chin.
You do: Angle your body to the side, use your sleeve grip to pull their face back into position, and re-thread your choking arm deeper.
Drill prescription
5 rounds × 3 minutes, alternating roles; 50% resistance; goal: 5 clean Ezekiel finishes per round with partner attempting posture and hand blocks.
How the masters teach it
Roger Gracie
Emphasizes deep hand entry and posture control, using the Ezekiel from various guard positions including closed guard.
Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics
Saulo Ribeiro
Focuses on breaking posture and using the Ezekiel as a threat to open up sweeps and back attacks from closed guard.