In the realm of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the choke is an art form—a symphony of technique, timing, and leverage that can bring even the most formidable opponent to a humbling tap. Lachlan Giles, a maestro in the grappling world, offers a masterclass in three chokes that are as versatile as they are devastating: the Rear Naked Choke, the Guillotine Choke, and the Anaconda Choke. These submissions are not just techniques; they are a philosophy, a way of thinking about control, pressure, and the ultimate goal of submission.
Why are chokes so crucial in BJJ? Because they are the great equalizer. Whether you find yourself in a sportive setting or a self-defense situation, a well-executed choke can be a game-changer. It’s a submission that doesn’t care about the size or strength of your opponent. It only cares about the precision of its application. In this article, we will dissect these three chokes, exploring their mechanics, their nuances, and the golden details that transform them from mere moves to master techniques.
Lachlan Giles starts off with the Rear Naked Choke, a technique that is foundational to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling arts in general. The choke is applied from the back, and Lachlan emphasizes the importance of falling to the underhook side. This is the side where your arm is under the opponent’s arm.
He points out that having shorter arms can be a disadvantage when trying to choke over the face, so it’s crucial to get right under the neck. Once you’ve fallen to the underhook side, your bottom arm’s elbow should drop to your ribs to prevent your opponent from escaping to that side. Your hands should be connected, and your opponent should find it difficult to move out from that side.
To finish the choke, Lachlan advises to keep your choking hand hidden behind the opponent’s head. This prevents them from being able to grab your hand and defend the choke. Your other hand will grab your bicep, and you’ll use it to squeeze and secure the choke. The key is to use your head to trap the opponent’s head, making it nearly impossible for them to escape.
Lachlan Giles emphasizes that the Guillotine Choke is not just about squeezing your opponent’s neck; it’s about the intricate details that make the choke inescapable. The technique starts from a front headlock position. The first step is to get your choking arm deep enough to connect your hands. Giles stresses the importance of making this grip as tight as possible before sitting down to finish the choke.
Once your hands are connected, you should feel like it’s very hard for your opponent to escape. Giles suggests stepping up on your left leg, posturing out, and pulling your opponent’s head as high behind your back as possible. This is followed by adjusting your hands in front of you, making sure your grip is high up on your chest.
The finishing mechanics involve a strong action of dropping your shoulder into the choke, as opposed to lifting up like a bicep curl. Giles explains that this is a much stronger action and gives you more power to finish the choke. He then sits down, placing his right foot in front of the opponent’s hip and curling sideways, emphasizing the importance of dropping the shoulder into the head for the finish.
The Anaconda Choke starts from a front headlock position. The instructor emphasizes the importance of getting the grip really tight before sitting down. The grip is secured by stepping up on the left leg, posturing out, and pulling the opponent’s head as high behind your back as possible. The hands are then adjusted in front of you.
The action to finish the choke is a strong one: dropping your shoulder down. This gives you power for the choke as opposed to lifting up like a bicep curl. Once the grip is secure and tight, the instructor sits down, placing the right foot in front of the opponent’s hip and curling sideways. The shoulder is dropped into the opponent’s head to finish the choke.
The chokes presented by Lachlan Giles are not just techniques; they are a testament to the depth and complexity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Mastering these chokes will not only add new dimensions to your game but will also make you a more complete grappler, capable of finishing matches in both Gi and No-Gi settings. So, invest the time to understand, drill, and perfect these techniques. Your future self will thank you. For more insights and tutorials, don’t hesitate to explore more of our content.