There are various armbar variations in grappling, and the Choi bar is one of the most dynamic and effective. Many of the sport’s top athletes have embraced this armbar variation and have continued developing it.
Here’s our beginner’s guide for executing the dynamic submission, the Choi bar. Read the details for hitting this technique below and the essential tips for practicing the move.
The Choi Bar: Origin and Development
The Choi bar was developed by a Korean BJJ black belt named Choi Wong Yon. As a lower belt, Choi had already begun developing his move.
The earliest documented footage of Won Choi hitting his move is from 2008. He continued developing his armbar variation as he moved up the ranks.
Top grapplers started noticing once he began hitting his armbar variation on top athletes like Lachlan Giles. They were intrigued by how Choi would climb over his opponent’s heads and attack their arms and his gripping.
When Yon started training with Atos in the early 2010s, the move really took off. Andre Galvao and Rafael Mendes adopted the move, and the Jiu-Jitsu world began embracing the Choi bar.
Fast forward to today, this armbar variation has numerous setups and is practiced globally.
The Original Choi Bar From Collar and Sleeve Control
Choi originally developed his armlock variation in the gi using a collar and sleeve control from an open guard. Here are the easy steps to follow to hit this submission.
Break Opponent’s Posture
The first step in the sequence is to use your sleeve and collar grips to break your partner’s posture. You must get them into your submission zone to set up your attack.
Gable Grip Arm
With your partner’s posture broken, underhook their arm and take a Gable grip above their elbow. Be sure to pull your partner’s shoulder to your chest to make it harder for them to pull their arm out.
Another important detail for this step is to flair your inside elbow under your partner’s neck. Doing this will prevent them from turning into you to defend.
Hip Escape & Leg Hook
The next step is to make space and hook your inside leg over your partner’s shoulder. Hip escape away from their head until you have sufficient space to get your foot around their shoulder.
Be sure to pinch your knees together and control the arm with both hands to prevent the escape.
Finishing Option 1
If your partner doesn’t hide their hand to defend, you can get the armbar from here. Keep your palm-on-palm grip with your knees facing their legs as you arch your hips and lock on the pressure.
Finishing Option 2
More than likely, your partner will defend the submission by attempting to hide their arm. In the case of this defense, let go of your palm-on-palm grip and grab your own collar with your bottom hand.
Now, with your free hand, hook your opponent’s shin and use it to roll them over into the armlock.
Watch the originator himself, Choi Yong Won, show to he does his patented armbar.
The Choi Bar From Z Guard
In No-Gi, one of the most popular positions to hit this armlock is from the Z guard. Here’s how to do Choi’s armbar in a few easy steps from this half-guard.
Holding the Knee Shield
You need to hold the knee shield in two ways: low with your feet crossed or high in your partner’s armpit.
If you use the second option, ensure you hook your toes on your partner’s ankle with your bottom foot. This will help keep your partner’s leg in place.
Gable Grip Opponent’s Arm
Just like with the typical Choi bar, hook under your partner’s arm and Gable grip your hands together. Make sure to connect your hands on top of their shoulder and clamp down to keep them in place.
Be sure to also flair your elbow under your opponent’s neck to keep them from turning in.
Over the Head or Under the Head
If your partner isn’t holding pressure on your hips, you can take your leg over the top into the finishing position. However, if they’re holding your hips tightly, you will have to go under.
Do this by sliding your knee from your partner’s chest and flaring it towards their face. This will give you ample space to hook your leg over their shoulder.
Also, when you throw your leg over your partner’s shoulder, hook their hip with your foot This hook will keep your partner in position when you go for the finish.
The Finish
Grip around your partner’s thumb, with your other hand holding their wrist as you arch your hips for the finish.
The Choi Bar Vs. Double Under Passing
This armbar is also a great counter when your partner attempts a double under pass attempt. Here’s how you can counter double unders.
Cross Grab
Immediately react by sitting up and cross-grabbing under your partner’s shoulder. Once you grip their should, pull it tight to your chest. This grip makes it difficult for your parnter to stack and lift you.
Change Grips
To get to the armbar, you’re going to have to change your grips. Stomp your foot down to make space and replace your cross grip with your near hand.
Gable Grip and Frame
Just like with almost every entry into this armbar, you’ll need to get a Gable grip on your partner’s shoulder. Clamp down on the shoulder as you frame your elbow against their neck to keep them away.
Kick, Stretch, and Go Over
A common defense your partner may do is hide their arm by holding their inner thigh. Counter this defense by kicking their head away with your top leg as you stretch with your arms.
Doing these moves simultaneously will separate the arm and give you space space to throw your leg over the shoulder.
Two Essential Choi Bar Tips
The Choi bar is a armlock you should really consider adding to your arsenal. We’ll leave you with two essential tips for hitting this submission.
The Shoulder Clamp and Frame
Every variation of this armbar requires you to control your partner’s shoulder and frame against their neck. These steps keep your partner’s posture broken and helps prevent them from defending. Without these two steps, you will not get this armbar.
Foot Over the Shoulder
Remember to get into the finishing position, you must bring your foot over your partner’s shoulder. There is no armbar without this step.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.