Japanese Necktie

Submission

The Japanese Necktie is a choke that combines elements of a D'Arce and a guillotine, applied by threading an arm around the opponent's neck and through their far armpit while using leg pressure across the back to create a crushing strangle. It is most commonly available when the opponent is turtled or in a front headlock position, and finishes from a sprawled or side-lying position.

Quick Reference

Key principles

· The choking arm threads around the neck and exits through the far armpit, creating a figure-four lock on the neck similar to a D'Arce configuration.
· Sprawling the legs back and driving hip pressure across the opponent's upper back amplifies the choke by preventing posture recovery.
· Swinging the leg on the choking-arm side over the opponent's back acts as a lever that drives the head down and tightens the strangle.
· Clasping a gable grip or palm-to-palm grip behind the opponent's shoulder line ensures the lock stays sealed against defensive hitchhiker escapes.
· Anticipate the opponent rolling through by maintaining heavy top pressure and adjusting your leg position to follow their movement.

Execution

1 From front headlock or turtle top, secure a deep overhook-style grip with your choking arm around the neck, threading it through the opponent's far armpit.
2 Lock a gable grip with your free hand, ensuring the forearm blade is tight against the side of the neck.
3 Sprawl your hips back and walk toward the choking-arm side to increase angle and pressure on the neck.
4 Swing the leg on the choking-arm side over the opponent's back, placing it across their spine or shoulder blades.
5 Drop your hips to the mat on the non-choking side while squeezing your elbows together and driving your chest down to finish the strangle.

Common mistakes

× Failing to thread the choking arm deep enough through the far armpit results in a loose crank rather than a blood choke, allowing the opponent to endure and escape.
× Not swinging the leg over the back removes the critical downward lever, making the choke easy to posture out of.
× Keeping hips too high instead of dropping them to the mat reduces finishing pressure and gives the opponent space to roll or reguard.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Japanese Necktie shows up.

Combat Base Defensive Position

5 less common

Front Headlock Scramble Position Turtle Top Kesa Gatame Top Standing Position