Also known as: X-Choke · Cross Choke · Juji Jime · Collar Choke
The oldest gi strangle in the book: two deep, crossed collar grips and a curl of the wrists that closes both carotids. Helio Gracie finished with it into his 80s; Roger Gracie finished world finals with it.
Submission · Strangle (blood choke) · Gi only · Difficulty 2/5 · Usually learned at White belt
Starts from Closed Guard as the guard player → ends the match (submission).
The details that make it work
The FIRST grip is everything: palm up, four fingers deep behind the neck, knuckles touching the spine-side of the collar.
Second hand crosses under or over to the opposite collar; elbows then drop to your ribs.
Finish by pulling them down and curling your wrists like revving a motorcycle — blades of the wrists to the carotids.
Where it goes wrong
Shallow first grip at the collarbone, which chokes nothing and burns your forearms.
Flaring elbows outward instead of dropping them to your sides.
How opponents counter it
Posture with stacked hands on the sternum before the second grip lands
Strip the first grip immediately — one grip is a threat, two is a finish
Is the Cross Collar 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.