EZEKIEL CHOKE FROM BACK

The Ezekiel choke from back is the variation of the canonical ezekiel choke applied from the back-control position. The technique uses the attacker's own sleeve as the structural choking surface — one arm reaches across the opponent's neck and grips the opponent's far-side sleeve, while the other arm threads behind the opponent's neck and grips the opposite sleeve, producing a sleeve-on-sleeve compression that closes both carotids. The technique is one of the most distinctive ezekiel variations and is the easier of the two ezekiel variants to set up cleanly because back control already provides the structural body alignment.

The mechanics begin from established back control with hooks set and seatbelt grip (or harness in the gi). The attacker passes the inside arm (the under-the-armpit arm) across the opponent's neck and grips the opposite-sleeve cuff with the choking arm's hand. The attacker then threads the other arm behind the opponent's neck and grips the choking arm's sleeve at the bicep or forearm. The finish comes from squeezing the elbows together while pulling the gripped sleeves apart, which tightens the sleeve-on-sleeve compression around the opponent's neck and produces blood-choke pressure on both carotids.

The ezekiel choke from back is a favorite of gi-focused competitors at every level. Notable practitioners include Lucas Lepri, Roger Gracie, and various IBJJF Mundial champions. The technique is particularly effective as a follow-up when the rear-naked choke is being defended — the opponent's defensive hand-fighting against the RNC frequently leaves the lapel and sleeve exposed for the ezekiel setup. Defensively the ezekiel from back is escaped by hand-fighting the sleeve grip before it consolidates, by tucking the chin to deny carotid access, or by rolling toward the choking-arm side to disrupt the geometry.