North-South Choke

The north-south choke is a submission applied from the north-south position, where the attacker is positioned head-to-head with the opponent (belly-to-belly, facing opposite directions). The attacker wraps an arm around the opponent's neck and uses their shoulder and chest pressure to compress the carotid arteries. Popularized by Marcelo Garcia, the north-south choke is effective in both gi and no-gi competition because it relies on body positioning rather than grips.

The north-south choke is legal at all belt levels and age divisions across IBJJF, NAGA, AGF, JJWL, and Grappling Industries. In competition, it typically appears as a follow-up when an opponent defends side control by turning into the attacker — the attacker transitions to north-south and locks up the choke. It is considered an advanced technique because the positioning and pressure required to finish are subtle, but when properly applied, the choke is extremely tight and difficult to escape.

For youth competitors, the north-south choke is legal but less commonly seen at younger age groups because it requires a level of body awareness and pressure that takes time to develop. The technique is safe — there is no cranking or twisting involved, just steady chest-to-chest pressure combined with the arm wrap. As young athletes progress to more advanced levels, the north-south choke becomes an effective addition to their top-pressure game.