If you find yourself against an MMA aficionado, you'll want to know how to get out of a choke hold. View detailed photos showing escape techniques to defend against the rear naked choke and the guillotine choke. Read our full article, " Choke Escapes ." Photos by Jimmy Lee.
Choke Escapes: 2 Techniques
Bring your shoulder on the choke side to the ground on the non-choke side. Resist the temptation to roll onto your stomach.
Photos 1-5 show an escape from the rear naked choke. Use both of your hands to pull downward on his wrist and/or forearm. At the same time, tuck your chin to your chest. Pull hard to relieve as much pressure as you can.
Continue moving to the choke side to break the choke hold and assume a superior position. You can now transition to your feet or another force option.
Sprawl and rotate around the aggressor's head to begin breaking his choke hold.
Photos 6-12 show an escape from the guillotine choke. First, bring your hand on the choke side to the aggressor's wrist and/or forearm and pull downward. Turn your head toward the aggressor's body and reach over his shoulder with your free arm.
Scramble or simply fall to the to the non-choke side, clearing the aggressor's legs.
Maneuver to a superior position. You can now transition to your feet or another force option.
Continue moving your feet away from the aggressor into a side control position. Drive the aggressor's chin to his choke side shoulder to loosen his choke hold.
Use your hand and forearm to drive down the aggressor's inner thigh on the choke side. You are trying to "break" the lock the aggressor has around your wrist by driving his legs below your hips.
Walk your feet toward the aggressor, keeping them close together. Get your hips up high so that your weight is coming downward on your shoulder, which is pressing forcefully into the aggressor's neck and face.
To set up your escape, plant your feet and push yourself backwards. Use your body weight and leverage to get your head even with or beyond your aggressor's head.
Escape to a position of advantage. Use a hip escape, bringing your legs outside the aggressor's legs.