North-South Choke BJJ: White Belt Guide

1. From North-South position, establish a cross-collar grip with your right hand on the opponent's left lapel (deeply into the collarbone).
2. Place your left hand on the opponent's right lapel, gripping it firmly near the collarbone.
3. Drive your left shoulder into the opponent's upper chest/sternum, creating downward pressure.
4. Rotate your hips so your left hip is closer to the opponent's head than your right hip.
5. Simultaneously, drive your right hip forward, towards the opponent's feet.
6. Tuck your chin and engage your core, creating a strong base.
7. Apply pressure by arching your back slightly and squeezing your elbows inwards, constricting the carotid arteries.
8. Maintain head-to-head contact to prevent the opponent from turning their head away.

• Attempting to push the opponent's head down with your shoulder instead of driving your hip forward: This can strain your rotator cuff and shoulder ligaments, leading to a tear, as you're using a weaker, less stable joint action. Correct by driving your hip forward and using your shoulder for downward chest pressure.
• Gripping the lapel too shallowly: This reduces the choking surface area and can lead to the grip slipping, causing frustration and potential wrist strain from over-gripping. Correct by reaching deep into the collarbone area for maximum surface contact.
• Allowing the opponent to turn their head: This compromises the choke and can lead to neck strain or hyperextension if you continue to apply pressure incorrectly. Correct by maintaining head-to-head contact and driving your hip into their head.

1. Solo drilling: Practice the grip placement and hip rotation in the air. (50 reps, 0% resistance).
2. Partner drilling (no resistance): With a compliant partner, practice establishing the grips and executing the hip and shoulder drive. (20 reps per side, 0% resistance).
3. Partner drilling (light resistance): Partner resists slightly by trying to bridge or shrimp. Focus on maintaining control and completing the choke mechanics. (15 reps per side, 25% resistance).
4. Controlled drilling with defense: Partner actively defends the choke. Focus on maintaining position and adjusting grips. (10 reps per side, 50% resistance).
5. Positional sparring: Start from North-South position and work towards securing the choke. Partner may attempt to escape. (5 rounds, 75% resistance).
6. Live rolling: Integrate the North-South Choke attempt into your rolling. Focus on recognizing opportunities and executing the technique under pressure. (3 rounds, 90-100% resistance).

• WHEN TO ATTEMPT:
• When your opponent is turtled and you have established North-South control.
• When your opponent attempts to shrimp out of side control and you transition to North-South.
• When your opponent is flat on their back and you are in a dominant North-South position.

• PRIMARY COUNTERS:
• Head and Arm Escape: The opponent tucks their chin and attempts to roll their body towards your choking arm, creating space to relieve pressure. This requires them to rotate their hips and shoulders away from your dominant hip.
• Hip Escape (Shrimping): The opponent attempts to shrimp their hips away to create space, often by driving their feet into the mat and pushing their hips back.
• Grip Release and Frame: The opponent actively fights the collar grips by prying them open with their hands or creating a frame with their forearm between their neck and your shoulder.

Watch step-by-step breakdowns from black belt instructors: