Dive into the fascinating world of air chokes, where cutting off breath provides a tactical edge in Jiu-Jitsu! Discover how these techniques can be safely executed and the psychology behind them. Learn about the connection to famous submissions like the guillotine and why air chokes deserve respect, dispelling myths around them being 'dirty.' Uncover tricks to accelerate their effectiveness by triggering the gag reflex.
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Quick takeaways
Air chokes, which limit breathing by compressing the trachea or covering the mouth, involve a distinct application compared to blood chokes.
Despite misconceptions, both air chokes and blood chokes are legitimate techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, each offering unique tactical advantages.
Deep dives
Understanding Air Chokes
Air chokes are a crucial aspect of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, distinct from blood chokes. They involve putting pressure on a person's trachea or windpipe to limit their ability to breathe, rather than cutting off blood flow to the brain. For example, a variation of the guillotine grip can apply pressure to the windpipe, while other methods may involve covering the mouth to smother. While blood chokes can result in a quicker tap out due to immediate unconsciousness, air chokes require the opponent to hold their breath, introducing a psychological component that may lead to a longer resistance time.
Safety Considerations
When applying air chokes, safety is paramount to prevent injuries to training partners. Unlike blood chokes, which can lead to carotid artery damage or even a stroke, air chokes pose a risk primarily to the windpipe or trachea. It's essential to apply appropriate force and to recognize that tapping due to air restriction should not stem from a fear of injury. Practicing awareness and control during training helps ensure that air chokes are executed effectively while minimizing the risk of harm.
Technique Philosophy
There is a common misconception that air chokes are 'dirty' techniques compared to blood chokes, but this is a flawed perspective. Both air chokes and blood chokes are legitimate submissions, and their effectiveness lies within the rules of the sport. For instance, a guillotine may simultaneously involve components of both types of choking, underscoring the flexibility in approach. Believing that one technique is superior to the other can restrict creativity; applying both techniques effectively can lead to successful outcomes in grappling scenarios.
In this week's mini-episode we discuss air choke mechanics! Air chokes involve cutting off your opponent's ability to breathe by either compressing their trachea ("windpipe") or covering their mouth. Air chokes often don't act as quickly as blood chokes, but there are ways to speed them up by triggering the gag reflex. We also talk about why air chokes are legitimate techniques and should not be thought of as "dirty."
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