Neckties in BJJ are incredibly effective. They allow you to finish a fight quickly and effectively, utilizing neck pressure. But there are so many that you can learn, and each one you’ll learn will add another tool to your toolbox, making you a better grappler.
This article will be about BJJ’s best neckties that you want to learn and understand. These will skyrocket your grappling abilities if you perform them correctly. And this is another thing that this article will do: it’ll demonstrate how you can perform these correctly.
Of course, the more of them you know, the more options you’ll have. And the more options you have, the more unexpected you’ll be in your BJJ fights. Therefore, it’ll be best if you learn as many of these as possible, which is one of my aims with this article.
So you want to start learning and practicing neckties. That’s excellent because these allow you to attack and create openings from different positions, such as front headlock, Turtle Position, and sprawl.
I want you to start learning already. So without further ado, let’s dive into the first one!
Caveman Necktie
| Necktie | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caveman | 7 | 7 | 7/10 |
The first necktie we’ll review is the Caveman Necktie. This one is best used from the front headlock position. If unfamiliar with it, it’s when you control the opponent’s head by locking it with both hands. You slide both your arms under the opponent’s chest and isolate his arm and head. This is the starting position.
Here’s how to perform the Caveman Necktie from the front headlock position:
- Start in a front headlock
- Your opponent defends his ear
- Step to the side
- Change your attacking angle until you’re perpendicular
- Drop your shin to your opponent’s neck
- Keep your knee below your armpit
- Sit back
- Squeeze your arms
- Hook your leg around his leg
- Wait for the tap
This necktie is extremely effective for a few reasons. The first is that it’s simple to learn and execute. It won’t be long before you start seeing real results using this choke, especially if you take your training seriously.
Furthermore, it allows you to apply tons of neck pressure, especially if you lock your arm with your knee. After stepping to the side (the same side as your choking arm), you want to ensure a firm lock between your knee, armpit, and arm.
This is a ninja tip that’ll help you finish the Caveman Necktie more often. It’ll allow you to start getting results and keeping yourself motivated, as the more taps you get, the fuller your motivation will be.
So start experimenting with this necktie. See how it feels, and if you feel like it, add it to your submission toolbox.
Learn more about the Caveman Necktie and how to perform it flawlessly—by following this link.
Japanese Necktie
| Necktie | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 7 | 8 | 8/10 |
The Japanese Necktie is my favorite out of all the neckties on this list. It’s a tool you’ll be able to use practically in many situations and get the tap. That’s why I’m a big fan of it. Likewise, many grapplers have no clue how to defend against it, so you’ll be able to slide in and create an opening rather easily.
One of my favorite variations of the Japanese Necktie is from the top Half Guard. Here’s how to perform it:
- Start in the top Half Guard
- Block the opponent’s hips with your hand
- Wait for the opponent to underhook
- Wrap your left arm around the opponent’s head (clockwise)
- Shift to the side
- Land on your elbow
- Slide your right hand through the opponent’s belly
- The opponent defends the Guillotine Choke
- Keep his head bent toward you
- Push the opponent’s head with your left hand
- Wrap your hands around his head
- Lift your chest
- Drop down to the side
- Squeeze
- Wait for the tap
It’s quite a lengthy execution. However, throughout the steps, you’ll gain plenty of control over the opponent, which will make you more likely to get the tap. Of course, you can transition to other submissions, such as the Guillotine Choke, which is a part of this execution.
This variant might take more time to get comfortable with. However, once you’ll understand how it works and build muscle memory, you’ll be good to use it fiercely.
Learn more about the Japanese Necktie, including from other positions, such as Turtle, by following this link
Nelson Necktie
| Necktie | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson | 8 | 6 | 7/10 |
The Nelson Necktie is definitely one of the most powerful chokes BJJ has to offer. It allows you to apply tons of neck pressure by manipulating the opponent’s position and maneuvering yourself.
Many grapplers think of the Nelson Necktie as difficult to learn. However, I would argue otherwise. Once you understand its basics, you’ll start to use it effectively. It, like most other neckties, will start from the front headlock position.
Here’s how to execute it:
- Start in a front headlock
- Lock a 3-fingers grip
- Turn to the side
- Lean toward the opponent’s feet
- Bring your knee between your arms
- Lean back
- Shoot your other foot over the opponent’s back
- Squeeze your forearms around his neck
- Use your legs to apply more neck pressure
- Wait for the tap
Really, it’s one of these chokes you must learn. It’s both fancy looking and simple to learn, making it highly attractive to white, blue, purple, brown, and black belts as one. So don’t hesitate to get on the mat and begin to practice it.
You’ll soon find yourself using it efficiently and getting your first taps with it.
If you want to perform the Nelson Necktie flawlessly and read about common mistakes grapplers make with it, follow this link!
German Necktie
| Necktie | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| German | 6 | 8 | 6/10 |
Next up is the German Necktie. This is a variation from the Side Control position. If you’re unfamiliar with Side Control, it’ll be best to get comfortable with it before you begin learning it. Essentially, it’s when you’re perpendicular to the opponent and control either his head, arms, shoulders, or hips. All of them would be best.
If you want to get comfortable with the Side Control position, follow this link.
Anyways, this is going to be the German Necktie from Side Control:
- Start in Side Control
- Overhook the opponent’s arm
- Slide the same arm onto his neck
- Hook your other arm around his neck (like the Guillotine)
- Grab your wrist with the 2nd hand
- Slide your hands across his neck
- Go to a 3-finger grip
- Step on the opponent’s leg (with your leg)
- Step up
- Squeeze your hands
- Stand up
- Wait for the tap
As you can see, this is a less risky version of the Japanese Necktie. Now that you know how both work, you can experiment with both of these to see which one you like best. You can, of course, learn both of them to boost your grappling game even further.
I encourage you to watch the video above together with the steps I’ve listed to ensure you understand how this works. You can start by practicing this on a grappling dummy. If you don’t own one yet, here are the best grappling dummies for your money. Follow the link to see which are the best ones.
There’s so much more to learn about this submission. If you want to learn more about the German Necktie, including another variation, follow this link!
Peruvian Necktie
| Necktie | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peruvian | 8 | 8 | 8/10 |
The Peruvian Necktie is next up on our list. This one is one of my personal favorites because of one reason: it utilizes all your limbs to pressure the opponent’s neck. I hope you understand why that’s so powerful.
You can pressure the opponent’s neck in many ways. However, few are the ways that allow you to pressure his neck with all your limbs. You’ll be applying contrary pressure both with your arms and legs to boost the amount of pressure and physical pain you inflict on the opponent.
Like most other neckties, it’ll begin from the front headlock position. Here are the steps to performing it properly:
- Start in the front headlock position
- Sprawl to free your leg
- Trap the opponent’s head and arm with a Gable Grip
- Lean back
- Lean on your side
- Place one of your legs over the opponent’s back
- Extend your other leg
- Create contrary pressure with your leg and forearm
- Wait for the tap
I love the Peruvian Necktie because it allows you to cause immense pressure and physical pain on the opponent’s neck. This will force him to tap out quicker than most other submissions, especially chokes that utilize only your legs or hands.
That’s why this choke is extremely effective. You should definitely consider adding it to your roster, as it’s highly effective and applicable to real BJJ.
Chilean Necktie
| Necktie | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chilean | 6 | 6 | 6/10 |
Next up on our list is the Chilean Necktie. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s time you get to know it. The variation we’ll cover in this section will be from Side Control, which is the same as the German Necktie. You have endless options from Side Control, and this can be one of them.
For this variation, your opponent needs to start in a face defense bottom Side Control, which is when your opponent defends his face by placing his hands under his chin. It’s a common defense from this position, so you’ll encounter it often.
Here’s how to perform the Chilean Necktie from the Side Control position:
- Start in Side Control
- Free your lapel
- Drop your chest on his triceps
- Push the opponent with your legs
- Turn the opponent on his side
- Feed your lapel underneath his close arm
- Hook your other hand around his neck
- Grab your lapel with your other hand
- Pull him back
- Attain the Back Mount position
- Hook your left leg around his head
- Arch your back
- Pull the opponent
- Get the tap
This choke is excruciating! It can cause a lot of damage to the opponent, especially if you perform it correctly. Therefore, it’ll be worth it to get comfortable with it, as it’ll allow you to finish off your opponents in a beautiful way.
The Chilean variation is one that you want to learn and get comfortable with. The more necktie variations you know, the more options you’ll have. And, the more options you have, the more unexpected you’ll be, which is something you want to achieve!
Learn more about the Chilean Necktie by following this link!
Mexican Necktie
| Necktie | Effectiveness | Simplicity | Overall Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexican | 7 | 9 | 8/10 |
Alright. It’s time we get onto the last necktie of this article. I’ve had plenty of fun researching the different types and coming up with the best ones. I’ve also had a lot of fun learning from many coaches, such as the one you’ll see at the end of this section.
The Mexican Necktie is an unbearable choke. It allows you to force your opponent to tap out quicker than most other chokes out there. Once you get your neck lock, you have just a few steps left. In fact, I think that it’s the simplest variation of all the neckties we’ve covered in this instructional article.
Here’s how to perform the Mexican Necktie from the side headlock position:
- Start in a side headlock
- Hook your right leg around his back
- Pull the opponent toward you
- Hook your other leg
- Lock your feet
- Squeeze your arms
- Pull his neck toward you
- Get the tap
Fairly simple yet effective move. I always love seeing moves that don’t require as much BJJ knowledge but still provide plenty of utility. For example, this Mexican Necktie won’t require you to invest plenty of time in learning and practicing it.
Instead, you’ll be able to use it shortly after learning it. If you have a grappling dummy in your home, you’ll be able to start practicing it right now. And then, you’ll have a better grasp of this technique when you attend your BJJ training session.
Final Words
That’s it for this article. It has been a great experience writing it, as I always enjoy learning more about the magnificent world of BJJ. Hopefully, you’ve been able to learn new things and get to know some of the less prevalent neckties, which can still be as effective as the most popular ones.
That’s why I’m a big fan of constant learning. Just look at how much knowledge is there in one article. I don’t know how long it took you to read it, but I assume it wasn’t more than 20 minutes. If that’s the case, I hope you appreciate the amount of knowledge that exists in one instructional article.
And I have plenty of other ones you want to read as well on my website!
Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
7 Most Powerful Grappling Martial Arts (For Self-Defense)
Keep Your Closed Guard Closed (8 Guard Retention Tips)
Clock Choke Mastery – BJJ Comprehensive Guide
BJJ 101: Anaconda Choke (The Right Way)
North-South Choke 101: BJJ Breakdown