Clock Choke

Also known as: Relógio · Clock · Rolling Clock (variation)

The classic gi attack on the turtle: a deep collar grip plus your bodyweight walking around their head like a clock hand until the strangle closes.

Submission · Strangle (blood choke) · Gi only · Difficulty 3/5 · Usually learned at Blue belt

Starts from Turtle as the attacking player → ends the match (submission).

The details that make it work

1. Feed the collar grip deep across the near side of the neck; your other hand controls the far wrist or armpit.
2. Stay heavy — chest on their upper back, hips low, legs sprawled as you walk toward their head.
3. The walk supplies the choke; your grip just keeps what the walk earns.

Where it goes wrong

• Kneeling upright beside the turtle, which lets them sit through into your lap.

How opponents counter it

• Strip the collar grip before the walk starts
• Granby roll toward the choking side

Is the Clock Choke legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Same family: Strangle (blood choke)s

• Guillotine Choke — from Front Headlock
• D’Arce Choke — from Front Headlock
• Anaconda Choke — from Front Headlock
• Ninja Choke — from Front Headlock
• Peruvian Necktie — from Front Headlock
• Pad Thai — from Front Headlock
• Pad Lock — from Front Headlock
• Loop Choke — from Front Headlock
• Triangle Choke — from Closed Guard
• Cross Collar Choke — from Closed Guard
• Arm Triangle Choke — from Side Control
• Paper Cutter Choke — from Side Control
• Von Flue Choke — from Side Control
• Buggy Choke — from Side Control
• North-South Choke — from North-South
• Baseball Bat Choke — from Knee on Belly
• Rear Naked Choke — from Back Control
• Bow and Arrow Choke — from Back Control
• Crucifix Choke — from Crucifix

Related techniques

• Bow and Arrow Choke
• Back Take from Turtle
• Loop Choke
• Crucifix Entry

All moves from Turtle · Back to Grapplepedia