Insights Into Judo Chokes

There are many judo chokes. Okuri eri jime, Hadaka jime, Nami juji jime, Sankaku jime and the list goes on. Neil Ohlenkamp has a splendid article on choking on his website www.judoinfo.com with nice descriptions of techniques, the different types of judo chokes using the carotid, trachea, and even the compression of the chest during hold downs to cause a person to tap or pass out.

I have used the latter on many opponents while pinning them by constricting the lower rib cage with my arms and body, while feeling and listening to the breathing of uke and compressing a little bit more with each exhalation. Uke will tap or pass out not being able to capture enough air to fuel the body properly.

Take Care Of Your Uki When Applying Judo Chokes

Judo chokes on the trachea is very powerful and a quick way to create a submission. However it is very damaging to the trachea and in my opinion should only be used in self defense situations. If you practice trachea judo chokes on your training partners no one will want to practice with you any longer as it really hurts and can take a while to heal. The healing process is uncomfortable to live with and could become a serious problem if the trachea is compressed in training over a period of time. It is a good thing to understand the mechanism of these chokes however practicing them over and over with a partner will limit the involvement of your training partners.

Judo chokes to the carotid arteries is the main source of practice for judoka. It limits blood flow to the brain and will cause a submission or an unconscious opponent in a very brief amount of time, if applied properly. I would like to add my two cents worth in from my experience of choking in the next couple of paragraphs and later add these same experiences to some video that I’ll be releasing in the near future.

Tips For Judo Chokes

#1 – While trying to apply judo chokes, try and keep your hands out of the line of sight of your opponent.

I have found that when I see or perceive one or two hands coming into position for a choke I get defensive pretty quick and can get my chin tucked or a hand in the way to block the choke fairly quickly. If you keep your hands out of the line of sight of the opponent’s eyes then I can generally get my hand(s) into position with less obstruction on the part of my opponent.

#2 – Keep your hands soft and non-threatening.
If you commit your hands to judo chokes in an aggressive manner reaching for the lapel or a rear choke then the movement will be recognized as a threat by the opponent and the sensory antenna will be on alert for a choke coming in for a strangulation making the chance for the choke less likely. Keep your hands soft and out of the radar by using the hands to open or position the lapels to gain a better advantage before tightening the noose. With the hands in place and with good body position you are more likely to affect a choke and apply the gradually rather than having to force the choke with power.

#3 – Judo Chokes with the legs.
Once you have your hands in position on your opponent and it is time to apply the choke use your legs wrapped around the body of your opponent to change the angle of the choke rather than trying to squeeze the choke with your hands and arms. You’ll find that by changing the angle of the choke will be much more effective than just trying to squeeze the choke. For example, hold a thumb up and wrap your forefinger and thumb of the opposite hand around the thumb. Now squeeze the thumb tightly. You’ll notice the thumb turns red and feel some tightness as you squeeze it. Next, relax and then re-grip the thumb in the same manner but not as tight. Now, change the angle of the hand squeezing the thumb by raising the elbow up and feel the difference in pressure being placed on the thumb being squeezed. You can change this angle for most chokes by using the legs wrapped around the body of your opponent. From the rear, get your “hooks” in and then arch using the hamstrings and lower back. From the front, scissor your legs around the hips of your opponent and pull in with your heels as you’re applying Okuri Eri Jime and see how the dynamic of the choke changes.

#4 – You only need to choke one side of the neck if you are applying pressure to the nerve sheath around the carotid artery. There is a nerve sheath that surrounds both of the carotid arteries and by applying pressure to one of these sheaths you’ll cause the heart to slow down and your opponent will go out fairly quickly.

#5 – There is two smaller arteries at the back of the neck.
By applying pressure with the collar around the back of the neck as you are tightening a secure hold for the choke you’ll find that the choke is more affective because even more blood flow is restricted to the brain. I like to really snug the collar in tight around the back of the neck before securing the final hand for the strangulation.

Please be sure to use all cautions when practicing chokes. Practice under proper supervision, make sure your partner is age appropriate and experience appropriate, do not choke to unconsciousness even if your partner does not tap. If your partner or opponent does go unconscious release the choke immediately. Your instructor should be well versed in Katsu, the art of reviving an unconscious person.

I also have two videos on judo chokes for you.