Submission: Ezekiel Choke

The Ezekiel Choke is a versatile and effective submission that can be executed with or without the gi, targeting the opponent’s airway by compressing the trachea. This choke can be applied from various positions, such as mount, side control, and even from within the opponent’s guard.

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The key aspects of the Ezekiel Choke

  1. Grips and Hand Positioning: In the gi variation, the Ezekiel Choke relies on securing a grip on one of your own sleeves, typically with your dominant hand. The non-dominant hand is then placed behind the opponent’s head, with your forearm pressing against their throat. For the no-gi variation, you can simply use an S-grip or gable grip instead of the sleeve grip. The key to the Ezekiel Choke is to maintain a strong and stable grip while positioning your forearm directly against the opponent’s trachea.
  2. Control and Connection: Maintaining control of your opponent’s posture and position is crucial when setting up the Ezekiel Choke. Whether you’re applying the choke from mount, side control, or within the opponent’s guard, it’s important to keep your chest connected to your opponent and prevent them from creating space or escaping the position. Establishing a strong base and maintaining pressure will help ensure the choke’s effectiveness.
  3. Choke Mechanics: The mechanics of the Ezekiel Choke involve using the forearm to compress the opponent’s trachea while simultaneously applying pressure with the other hand behind their head. To finish the choke, extend both arms and apply direct pressure to the trachea, cutting off the opponent’s airflow. The key to a successful Ezekiel Choke is to maintain constant pressure and prevent your opponent from alleviating the choke by creating space.
  4. Setups and Transitions: The Ezekiel Choke can be set up from various positions, and developing a fluid and adaptable approach to setting up the choke is essential. Common setups include transitioning from an attempted cross collar choke, using the Ezekiel Choke as a counter to an opponent’s escape attempt, or setting it up as a surprise attack when an opponent is focused on defending other submissions.
  5. Defense and Counters: As with any submission, it’s important to be aware of your opponent’s potential defenses and counters. Common defenses against the Ezekiel Choke include grip breaks, tucking the chin, creating space, and transitioning to a more advantageous position. Developing a deep understanding of the choke mechanics and common defenses will enable you to anticipate and counter these defenses, leading to higher submission success rates.

 

In summary, the Ezekiel Choke is a versatile and effective submission that targets the opponent’s airway. By understanding and applying the principles of grip and hand positioning, control and connection, choke mechanics, setups and transitions, and defense and counters, you can develop a formidable Ezekiel Choke game that will challenge your opponents and lead to more submission victories. Always remember to approach the Ezekiel Choke with a systematic and methodical mindset, constantly refining your technique and exploring new variations and setups.