Head and Arm Choke 101 – BJJ Guide

Learning the Head and Arm Choke in BJJ—is a wise decision. You’ll be able to apply immense neck pressure on your opponents to the point where they’ll be forced to tap out and give up. This is what BJJ teaches us, or at least, some of what it teaches us.

The Head and Arm Choke utilizes trapping the opponent’s, well, head and arm together in a position where your opponent’s shoulder pressures his neck. That’s one of the primary reasons it’s such a successful and effective submission.

But that’s not all. You’ll be able to utilize different positions and moves to trap your opponent even more than you think. That’s what I’ll focus on in this article: I’ll try to give you as many tools and dive as deeply as possible into this choke. Eventually, you’ll be able to perform it better than you currently think.

Constant learning is one of my major beliefs in life. I always say that you should always begin any interaction with an open mind, even with people who are less experienced than you.

So a learning mindset is something you definitely want to adopt, as it has helped me and countless other people, in all realms of life, progress quicker. Without further ado, let’s dive into the 1st section.

What Is the Head and Arm Choke?

There’s nothing more satisfying in BJJ than to force your opponent to submit, at least it’s that way for me. That’s why I love learning new submissions, as they allow me to continuously learn about ways to do so. The Head and Arm choke is no different. Let’s see what it is.

The Head and Arm Choke is a submission, typically taught in BJJ, which utilizes trapping the opponent’s head and arm to cause immense neck pressure and force a tap out. It’s effective because it allows you to limit his movement and maneuverability, especially when performed correctly.

One of the mechanisms it utilizes is causing more neck pressure by forcing the opponent’s shoulder on his neck. Yes, you will be pushing one of his body parts on his neck to create more pressure, doesn’t that sound just lovely?

There’s something about this choke that makes me wonder how someone invented it in the first place. I find this submission extremely effective whenever I use it and from all positions.

But it will be ineffective if you perform it incorrectly, and it’s easier to do so than you think. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying that most grapplers will never know how to perform it in a way that will allow them to submit their opponents 99% of the time.

Here’s how you can do it.

How to Perform the Head and Arm Choke

It can be easy to make mistakes when performing the Head and Arm Choke, especially in No-Gi. So this is what this section will be about. However, you can execute it from numerous positions, such as Mount and Kesa-Gatame.

What we’ll focus on in this section is the Head and Arm Choke from the Mount position. I’ve learned this variation from many coaches, including Roger Gracie, which you want to familiarize yourself with; such a wise grappler!

So without further intro, let’s review the steps to perform the Head and Arm Choke from the Full Mount position:

You first want to start in low Mount and hook your right arm around your opponent’s neck. The next step is to push your opponent’s right shoulder toward his head with your left arm. Finally, you lock your hands with a Gable Grip while transitioning to the right side and squeezing your arms.

This should be enough to get the tap. I believe a visual aid will only do good here. So here’s the instructional video from Roger Gracie I mentioned earlier in this section.

Head and Arm Choke Variations

Let’s now dive into the last section of this article. This, in my eyes, is the most valuable one, as I’ll be focusing on 3 variations you want to familiarize yourself with.

I like to compare BJJ with Chess. Both are sports that require you to think about your options. And to have more options you must learn as much as possible. So both Chess and BJJ are similar in the fact that you must learn as much as possible in them.

Indeed, the more options you have, the more dynamic you’ll be, which is always a positive thing.

So let’s make you more dynamic by reviewing 3 Head and Arm Choke variations you want to know about.

Head and Arm Choke From Kesa-Gatame

The first variation we’ll look at is from the Kesa-Gatame position. If you’re unfamiliar with it, I wrote an entire guide on the Kesa-Gatame position and how to finish from it. Definitely give it a read if you want to expand your options and become a better grappler.

Here are the steps to perform it correctly:

1. Start in Kesa-Gatame
2. Your opponent pushes your head
3. Grab his triceps
4. Move your head until it touches his head
5. Trap his right arm with your head
6. Your right hand’s palm faces down
7. Lock a Gable Grip
8. Kick your left leg forward
9. Your left leg should be in line with his spine
10. Lift his head with your hands
11. Extend your arms
12. Finish by squeezing and moving your hands around his head
13. Get the tap

This variation is one of my favorites because it almost guarantees a tap. You’ll be able to cause so much neck pressure that your opponent will have no other option than to give up and give you the victory.

And again, follow the link earlier in this section to learn about the Kesa-Gatame position and how to finish using it more often.

Head and Arm Choke From Mount

The Mounted Head and Arm Choke is a variant we already mentioned, so I’ll skip the basics. If you’re unfamiliar with the Full Mount position, you can follow the first link. Likewise, if you desire to learn more submissions once in it, you can follow the 2nd link!

The Mount is a position you want to get comfortable with since you’ll spend a lot of time in it. And once you’re able to attain it, you’re more than likely to submit the opponent and cause a tap out. But that’s not what this article is about. Follow the first link in the previous paragraph to learn to use the Mount position more effectively.

Anyways, here’s how to perform the Mounted Head and Arm Choke:

1. Start in Mount
2. Wrap your right arm around the opponent’s neck
3. Drive his right shoulder up using your left arm
4. Use a forward motion with your left arm to drive it easily
5. Lock your hands with a Gable Grip
6. Move off the Mount and to the side
7. Maintain your hand grip
8. Squeeze your arms
9. Place your head on his right ear
10. Push your head into his neck
11. Get the tap

This is quite simple to learn and to execute submission. That’s why it can be more than beneficial to learn it, as it’ll help you get more taps, even when you’re a white or blue belt.

And now, let’s move on to the last variation we’ll review, which will be from the infamous Guard position!

Head and Arm Choke From Closed Guard

Alright. The last variation we’ll review is from the Closed Guard position. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s when you’re on your back and have your legs wrapped around the opponent’s back. It’s a perfect position to break the opponent’s posture and attack with a submission.

You’ll be able to submit the opponent with an endless set of options. Here’s one option you have once you attain this position. Oh, and by the way, if you want to learn to use the Closed Guard position more effectively and finish more fights from it, follow the link.

1. Start in Closed Guard
2. Hold the opponent’s head
3. Grab his right arm
4. The opponent stands up
5. Wrap your right arm around his head
6. Bend your left arm and grab your head
7. Grab your left biceps
8. Squeeze your arms
9. Get the tap

Final Words

This was the Head and Arm Choke. You’re now capable of practicing all the variations I presented in this article, so you can expand your options and become a better grappler.

It’s important to keep constant learning on your priority list, especially if progressing faster is one of your goals. Your next step is to get on the mat and gain actual experience, which can only come when you’re rolling with a partner.

Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:

Kesa-Gatame 101 – Attacks & Escapes (BJJ)

The 5 Best North-South Attacks in BJJ (And Tips!)

BJJ 101: North-South Position – Basics & Attacks & Tips

9 Knee on Belly Submissions – Attacking Manual (BJJ)

The 10 Top BJJ Chokes You Need to Maste