The cross collar grip is a very powerful control position from closed guard; here’s how to get it. This is an excerpt from https://www.grapplearts.com/closedguard The Closed Guard System, a step-by-step formula for developing a KILLER closed guard by Jon Thomas!

Make sure to check out Jon’s breakdown of how to finish the cross collar choke from this position too! That’s on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qByxp0TgNYM

How to actually successfully choke someone out with the cross collar choke from closed guard. Excerpt from https://www.grapplearts.com/closedguard The Closed Guard System, a step-by-step formula for developing a KILLER closed guard by Jon Thomas!

Two of the keys that Jon demonstrates in this video include getting your first grip in at the right angle, and then genuinely attacking with other attacks (sweeps, armbars, triangle chokes, etc) so that he breaks his defensive arm structure and gives you that opening to sink your second grip into position. I think this approach will allow you to finish a LOT more people with this classic choke.

The Closed Guard System featuring BJJ black belt Jon Thomas is now out! Check out https://www.grapplearts.com/closedguard for more info.

This is a 3 volume instructional, available in online streaming, DVD, and/or app format. here’s a breakdown of each volume….

*** Volume 1, Breaking Posture and the Overhook Attack Series ***

HOW TO BREAK POSTURE FROM CLOSED GUARD
• Introduction to the Closed Guard
• Breaking Posture in Closed Guard
• Breaking Posture vs Frame on the Hips, Knee on Tailbone
• Breaking Posture vs One High, One Low Grip
• Breaking Posture vs 2 Grips High in Armpit
• Breaking Posture vs an Extreme Back Lean

THE OVERHOOK ATTACK SERIES
• Setting Up and Controlling the Overhook Grip
• Overhook Grip vs One High One Low
• Basic Triangle Choke Setup
• Triangling When Your Opponent Keeps His Arm Tight
• Triangle by Hooking His Far Arm with Your Leg
• Triangle Choke Finish Details
• The Omo Plata Attack
• Sideways Break Down for the Omo Plata
• Countering the Forward Roll in the Omo Plata
• Countering Strong Posture vs Omo Plata

*** Volume 2, Cross Collar, Arm Across Body, and Hip Bump Attack Series ***

CROSS COLLAR ATTACK SERIES
• Setting Up & Controlling the Cross Collar Grip
• Actually Finishing the Collar Choke
• Triangle Choke from the Cross Collar Grip
• Knee Shield Triangle Choke
• Entering the High Guard
• Armbar from High Guard
• Breaking the Armbar Defense
• Armbar Followups
• Pendulum Sweep

ARM ACROSS BODY ATTACK SERIES
• Setting Up the Arm Across Body Position
• Arm Across Body Back Take
• Arm Across Pendulum Sweep
• Arm Across Armbar
• Cross Guard Omo Plata
• Cross Guard Armbar

HIP BUMP SERIES
• The Hip Bump Sweep
• Hip Bump to Triangle Choke
• Countering the Forward Drive

*** Volume 3, Double Sleeve Attack Series, and How to Get to Closed Guard ***

DOUBLE SLEEVES ATTACK SERIES
• Double Sleeves Grip Concepts
• Quick Triangle Choke from Double Sleeves
• Double Sleeves Roleta Sweep
• Double Sleeves Muscle Sweep
• Transition to Cross Guard
• Transition to X Guard
• Transition to Double Sleeve Open Guard
• Transition to Collar Sleeve Guard
• Transition to de la Riva Guard

HOW TO GET INTO CLOSED GUARD
• Concepts for Closed Guard Entries
• Closed Guard Entry from Double Sleeve vs Kneeling
• Closed Guard Entry from Double Sleeve vs Standing
• Closed Guard Entry from the de la Riva
• Closed Guard Entry from Collar Sleeve
• Closed Guard Entry from Standing
• Closed Guard Entry from Sitting Guard