How is the Ezekiel choke from back set up?

From established back control with hooks and a seatbelt grip, the attacker passes the inside arm across the opponent's neck to grip the opposite sleeve cuff. The other arm then threads behind the neck to grip the choking arm's sleeve, allowing the attacker to squeeze elbows together while pulling the sleeves apart.

What are common mistakes when attempting this choke?

Common errors include establishing the choke without back-control hooks set, failing to grip the sleeve deeply enough at the cuff, squeezing without pulling the sleeves, and releasing position control to set up the submission.

How can an opponent defend against the Ezekiel choke from back?

Defensive options include hand-fighting the sleeve grip before it consolidates, tucking the chin to deny carotid access, or rolling toward the choking-arm side to disrupt the geometry.

Why is the Ezekiel choke from back considered effective?

It is one of the easier Ezekiel variants to set up cleanly because back control provides structural body alignment. It is also effective as a follow-up when the rear-naked choke is defended, as the opponent's hand-fighting often leaves the lapel and sleeve exposed.

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EZEKIEL CHOKE FROM BACK

Estrangulamento Ezequiel das Costas

In Short

The Ezekiel choke from back is a BJJ submission applied from back control, using a sleeve-on-sleeve compression to close both carotids. It is often used as a follow-up when the rear-naked choke is defended and is considered easier to set up due to the structural alignment provided by back control.

Also known as: Sode Guruma Jime from Back, Sleeve 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.

KEY POINTS

01Establish back control with hooks and seatbelt grip.
02Pass the inside arm across the opponent's neck.
03Grip the opposite sleeve cuff with the choking hand.
04Thread the other arm behind the neck and grip the choking arm's sleeve.
05Squeeze elbows together while pulling sleeves apart.

COMMON MISTAKES

✕Establishing the choke without back-control hooks set.
✕Failing to grip the sleeve deeply enough — must be at the cuff.
✕Squeezing without simultaneously pulling the sleeves.
✕Releasing position control to set up the choke.
✕Choosing this choke over RNC when the RNC angle is available.

TRAINING DRILLS

→Sleeve-grip setup drill from back control.
→Slow ezekiel from back reps (50 each side).
→Choke against progressive resistance.
→RNC-to-ezekiel chain drill (transition when RNC is defended).
→Live rolling from back control with ezekiel as primary submission.

Frequently Asked

How is the Ezekiel choke from back set up?: From established back control with hooks and a seatbelt grip, the attacker passes the inside arm across the opponent's neck to grip the opposite sleeve cuff. The other arm then threads behind the neck to grip the choking arm's sleeve, allowing the attacker to squeeze elbows together while pulling the sleeves apart.
What are common mistakes when attempting this choke?: Common errors include establishing the choke without back-control hooks set, failing to grip the sleeve deeply enough at the cuff, squeezing without pulling the sleeves, and releasing position control to set up the submission.
How can an opponent defend against the Ezekiel choke from back?: Defensive options include hand-fighting the sleeve grip before it consolidates, tucking the chin to deny carotid access, or rolling toward the choking-arm side to disrupt the geometry.
Why is the Ezekiel choke from back considered effective?: It is one of the easier Ezekiel variants to set up cleanly because back control provides structural body alignment. It is also effective as a follow-up when the rear-naked choke is defended, as the opponent's hand-fighting often leaves the lapel and sleeve exposed.