From: jchristian@desire.wright.edu
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: Re: stranglehold
Date: 18 Dec 92 15:01:42 EST
Organization:  Wright State University 

In article <4400@unisql.UUCP>, wrat@unisql.UUCP (wharfie) writes:
> In article <1992Dec17.022550.6246@desire.wright.edu> jchristian@desire.wright.edu writes:
>>people don't choke people judo-style doesn't mean that their chokes aren't
>>going to work (sorry to break the news to you, Warfie).
> 
> 	Well, how do you do your chokes?
> 
>>this particular stranglehold does not require great strength.  
> 
> 	Will you describe it?
> 							wr
> 
> 

Attack is very aggressive (even by someone-wants-to-choke-you standards). 
Attacker comes in like they're going to do a "novice" sort of choke with the
thumbs opposing each other on either side of the trachea.  Lead thumb presses
into trachea at 45 degree angle, the force being provided by the attacker's
momentum; other thumb pulls backward against the forward motion, like drawing a
bowstring.

Forward motion of lead thumb turns trachea/neck so that thumb is firmly placed,
and the forward body motion sets defendant off balance at awkward 45 angle
backward.  The defendant fall backward is interrupted by the second thumb
applying the pressure in opposition, so that you're basically creating a
shearing action against the trachea.  The hands themselves are wrapped around
the neck for a good grip, and as the thumbs are brought together, the hands
tighten up any slack created.

Looking at my description, it sounds kinda weird to me, but of course in real
life the difference in motion between the two thumbs is practically nil.  You
start it off just like you're going to do a bad movie choke, but the
combination of driving the other person off balance and applying shearing
stresses across the trachea makes this an all around sucky technique to have
done to you.  If I'm lucky, I can drop my chin and get my head turned to
relieve the pressure somewhat, which gives me a little more time to play with. 
But if I'm totally unprepared for what's coming (and you know how that can be
when the instructor says, "Throw a punch at me" and you have no idea what's
being planned), then my balance is so screwed that it takes too long for me to
re-divert my attention from my failing balance to my locked trachea.

As often as I've this particular choke done to me, the only thing I've found
that is halfway reliable is turning your head and dropping your chin.  But if
circumstances are such that your balance is destroyed (which is one thing this
choke is designed to do), then the time it takes to focus back on your throat
can be too late.  The mangled feeling that is almost instantly produced makes
strikes and kicks a sort of silly process--you end up flailing your arms and
legs in this cartoonish attempt to hit SOMETHING, anything.  Of course, the
attacker is in control and can see what you're doing, whereas you're basically
flying blind.

I guess my real solution is don't get choked in the first place.  Been choked
with forarms, wrists, fists, etc.; been blood choked more than I care to
remember and passed out a couple of time.  But this one sucks big time.  If you
can figure out a more reliable defense, please let me know.  Especially those
of you who get choked on a regular basis (sounds unpleasant, but I figure there
are some of you out there) and may be more resistant to those tracheal stresses
than I am.  Let me know how it goes, and any suggestions are welcome.


Thanks,
Jeff
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts