How to Do the Baseball Bat Choke in BJJ
The baseball bat choke is named for the grip that resembles holding a baseball bat. It's a sneaky collar choke often set up from knee on belly when opponents try to escape.
✓ Key Details to Master
- 1 Get a deep cross-collar grip with one hand
- 2 Place your other hand on the same collar, thumb inside
- 3 Hands grip like holding a baseball bat
- 4 Spin to north-south while maintaining grips
- 5 Sprawl and squeeze to finish
✗ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️ Grips not deep enough
- ⚠️ Spinning the wrong direction
- ⚠️ Letting go during the spin
- ⚠️ Not sprawling to finish
- ⚠️ Telegraphing the attack
🔄 Variations
- → From bottom half guard
- → From side control
- → Reverse baseball bat
🛡️ Counters & Defenses
- → Fight the grips early
- → Turn into them
- → Stand up
Track Your Baseball Bat Choke Progress
Log every time you practice the Baseball Bat Choke and watch your proficiency grow. MatTime helps you build muscle memory by tracking what you actually drill.
Related Techniques
More Submissions
View all →Rear Naked Choke
The rear naked choke (RNC) is one of the most high-percentage submissions in BJJ and MMA. Applied fr...
Triangle Choke
The triangle choke is a signature BJJ submission where you use your legs to form a triangle around y...
Guillotine Choke
The guillotine is a front headlock choke that can be applied standing or on the ground. It's particu...
Bow and Arrow Choke
The bow and arrow choke is one of the tightest collar chokes in BJJ. From back control, you use the ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What belt level should I be to learn the Baseball Bat Choke? ▼
The Baseball Bat Choke is typically introduced at the blue belt level. However, higher belts continue to refine this technique throughout their BJJ journey. Building a technical foundation. Developing a guard game and understanding of timing.
Can I do this technique without a gi? ▼
The Baseball Bat Choke requires gi grips (collar, sleeve, or lapel) to execute properly. In no-gi, you would need to use alternative grips or different techniques.
How do I set up the Baseball Bat Choke? ▼
The Baseball Bat Choke is typically executed from knee on belly. Key setups include controlling your opponent's posture and creating the right angle. Practice the entry repeatedly before focusing on the finish.