Ezekiel Choke (No-Gi)

What This Is

The Ezekiel choke (no-gi variant) is a vascular choke applied from mount or side control where the attacking arm is inserted under the opponent’s chin and the gripping arm holds the attacking arm’s wrist or forearm from the opposite side of the neck. The compression is created by the attacking forearm against one side of the neck and the bicep or inner arm of the gripping arm against the other side.

In the gi version, the attacking arm uses the gi sleeve as the compression surface and the other arm grips the sleeve. In no-gi, the forearm itself is the compression surface. This makes the no-gi version more dependent on precise arm positioning — there is no sleeve to assist with grip security. The no-gi Ezekiel requires the attacking forearm to be properly seated (bony edge against the carotid) and the elbow to pull tight before the finish is effective.

The Ezekiel is particularly valuable from the mount position because the top player’s weight advantage amplifies the choke. From high mount specifically, the opponent’s arms are compromised and the neck is accessible from an angle that makes insertion easier. The choke also appears from side control when the near arm position creates the insertion window.

The Invariable in Action

The Ezekiel is a bilateral vascular choke despite appearing to insert on one side only. The attacking forearm compresses the near carotid. The gripping arm (which holds the attacking arm’s wrist and is positioned on the far side of the neck) compresses the far carotid with its inner arm or bicep. The neck is trapped between these two surfaces.

This repeats the bilateral principle but emphasises the no-gi specific challenge. Without the gi sleeve to anchor the choke surface, the attacking forearm is secured only by the elbow’s position. A high elbow creates space and allows the forearm to slide out of carotid position. The elbow must drive downward (toward the mat) and inward (toward the opponent’s neck) to maintain the forearm’s position throughout the finish.

The insertion depth determines whether the Ezekiel compresses the carotid or the trachea. A shallow insertion catches the chin or jaw and creates airway pressure — discomforting but slower to complete and easier to defend. A deep insertion past the chin with the forearm against the throat reaches the carotid and creates the vascular compression. In no-gi, without the sleeve’s assistance, getting the arm deep under the chin requires deliberate pressure.

No-Gi Mechanics

The no-gi Ezekiel has different mechanics from the gi version in three specific ways:

The compression surface: In the gi, the opponent grips the sleeve (the fabric becomes the compression surface). In no-gi, the attacking forearm’s inner edge (the radius bone side) is the compression surface against the near carotid. The forearm must be turned so the bony edge is against the neck — not the fleshy forearm surface.

The grip security: The gi sleeve provides grip security — the fabric is held easily. In no-gi, the gripping arm holds the attacking arm’s wrist or forearm. This hold can be broken by the opponent if the elbow is not tight. The elbow-in position is the no-gi equivalent of the sleeve grip — it replaces the fabric’s grip security with a positional lock.

The finish force: In the gi, squeezing the sleeve grip creates the finish. In no-gi, the finish requires the elbow to drive inward (toward the neck) while the gripping arm pulls the wrist, creating a scissors motion that presses both surfaces against the neck simultaneously.

The Grip

The no-gi Ezekiel grip:

The attacking arm: Inserted under the opponent’s chin with the inner forearm against the near side of the neck. The palm faces up or toward the attacker’s own body. The insertion direction is along the mat surface — the arm slides under the chin from the side, not from above. The elbow should be at or below the level of the neck — a high elbow means the arm is not fully inserted.

The gripping arm: Comes around the far side of the opponent’s neck and grips the attacking arm’s wrist. The gripping arm’s inner arm (bicep area) is against the far side of the neck. This positions the gripping arm as the second compression surface.

The connection: The gripping arm’s hand holds the attacking arm’s wrist firmly. The two arms are connected at the wrist on the far side of the neck, with the attacking arm’s forearm on the near side and the gripping arm’s inner arm on the far side.

Elbow position: The attacking arm’s elbow must stay low and inward. This is the critical position requirement for no-gi — the elbow drives the forearm into carotid position and prevents it from sliding out. Practice deliberately checking elbow position during drilling.

The Finish

The no-gi Ezekiel finish:

The scissors motion: The attacking arm’s elbow drives inward and downward (pressing the forearm against the near carotid), while the gripping arm pulls the wrist toward the attacker’s body (pressing the gripping arm’s inner arm against the far carotid). These are opposite directional forces — scissors, not squeeze.

The elbow role: The attacking elbow is the primary force generator on the near side. Driving the elbow toward the opponent’s neck (not upward) is what maintains forearm-to-carotid contact under the finish pressure. If the elbow rises, the forearm slides up and compresses the trachea rather than the carotid.

Body weight contribution: From mount, the body weight can be driven forward over the arms, amplifying the scissors compression. This is particularly effective from high mount where the opponent’s arms are compromised and the weight can be applied without obstruction.

The completion: The Ezekiel completes when both carotids are compressed. From the correct insertion depth with the elbow in and the gripping arm pulling, this compression arrives quickly — faster than the trachea pressure that a shallow insertion produces.

Setup and Entry

From High Mount

The primary entry. From high mount (knees near the armpits), the opponent’s arms are compromised and the neck is accessible. Slide the attacking arm under the chin from one side while the other arm comes around from the far side to grip. The high mount weight advantage amplifies the insertion depth — the opponent cannot create the defensive space needed to prevent insertion.

From Mount (Standard Height)

From standard mount, the Ezekiel is available but the opponent’s arms may be in a position to block or disrupt the insertion. The attacking player must create the insertion opportunity by moving to high mount first, or by catching the chin when the opponent attempts an escape (bridge-and-roll creates a momentary chin exposure).

From Side Control

When the near arm in side control is positioned so the attacking player’s arm can slide under the opponent’s chin from the side control angle, the Ezekiel setup is available. This requires a specific near arm position — the near arm must be above the opponent’s chest level, not controlling the hip. From standard side control, the arm transition to Ezekiel grip requires releasing hip control briefly, which creates a small positional risk.

From the Opponent’s Escape Attempt

Bridge-and-roll and shrimp escapes from mount both create chin exposure moments. The Ezekiel can be inserted during the opponent’s escape motion — the chin comes forward or to the side, and the attacking arm slides under. This requires anticipating the escape and having the attacking arm ready to insert immediately.

Position Requirements

• High Mount — Optimal. Opponent’s arms compromised, neck accessible, weight advantage available.
• Mount (Standard) — Available with correct near arm positioning. Insertion may be contested.
• Side Control — Available with specific arm configuration. Requires temporary hip control release for arm transition.

Defence and Escape

Priority 1 — Tuck the chin immediately: The chin tuck prevents the attacking arm from inserting past the chin to the throat. This is the most effective defence and must happen the moment the attacking arm approaches the chin. A tucked chin means the arm catches the jaw rather than seating under the chin.

Priority 2 — Grip the attacking arm with both hands: Before the gripping arm closes, the defender can use both hands to control the attacking arm and prevent it from seating. This requires quick recognition — once both arms are in position, the wrist grip from both hands is less effective.

Priority 3 — Bridge toward the attacking arm side: Bridging toward the side where the attacking arm is inserted creates space and can disrupt the insertion depth. This must be committed — a half-bridge gives the attacker time to re-seat the arm.

Priority 4 — Protect both sides of the neck: Once the attacking arm is seated and the gripping arm has closed, both sides of the neck are being compressed. The defender cannot address one side without opening the other. At this point, tap — do not wait for the choke to complete.

Common Errors

Drilling Notes

Ability Level Guidance

Ruleset Context

The Ezekiel choke is unrestricted across all standard no-gi rulesets.

Also Known As

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