STRANGLES

STRANGLES USING CLOTH

This technique has the effect of both a strangle and a choke at the same time. It makes use of the cloth of the jacket (handy, if they’re wearing a jacket). From behind your opponent grab the collar at the back of his neck with your right hand (Figure 1). This helps prevent him from moving away and escaping, but more importantly it acts as an anchor for the rest of the technique.

Fig 1. "Anchor" the jacket

Fig 2. The lapel grip - not too close

Move your left hand over your opponents left shoulder and grab his left jacket lapel. Your grip should be a normal grip with your thumb facing down (Figure 2) and you should make sure that you have grabbed enough of the cloth to give you a nice firm grip. However, the grip should not be too low. If it is too low then you will have too much spare cloth for the rest of the technique to work effectively. Your little finger at the top of the grip should be not much lower than the front of your opponent’s neck. (Maybe he didn’t hear the guy creep up behind him, but he sure doesn’t seem to know what’s coming next – Figure 2).

Fig 3. Looping the arm

Fig 4. Pull tight around the neck

Once you have a grip of the lapel with your left hand loop the arm over your opponents head (Figure 3). This feels awkward the first time you do it, and probably the second, but there are a couple of things to remember that makes it a bit easier. Firstly, stand close to him so that you don’t have to reach so far. It is natural to lean over him a bit while you do this, but make sure that you are not in danger of over-balancing, especially if he bends and pulls you forward. To minimize the risk of being pulled forward pull him back just before you start this move so that he is leaning back, and hold him back with your right hand.

Secondly, keep your arm bent and relaxed so that the circular movement with your arm is smooth. Take your elbow wide as it goes over so that his head does not get in the way on the way round. Once you have gone over his head drop the elbow so that he can’t duck his head under again. During this movement over his head ensure that your other hand does not move at the back of his neck.

Keeping both elbows bent pull back with your left hand towards the anchor hand (which still should not move). Feel free to use the side of his neck for leverage with your forearm (Figure 4). This is made more effective by extending your left elbow out to the side. (Not smiling so much now is he?).

In self defense situations this could be done from any angle or relative body position with a scarf (yours or his) or similar object. However, remember that while you are applying the technique you are using both of your hands and his may be free, so although this can be done quickly there is a period when you are fulnerable.

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BSN Graham Salt