If you had to choose between strangles (i.e. chokes) and joint locks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu… Which one of the two would you pick?
Well, strangles would be the smartest choice. Why?
John Danaher shares a simple explanation:
Strangles have a greater degree of certainty associated with them.
A courageous and determined opponent can simply refuse to submit to a joint lock if he is willing to take the damage, but refusal to tap to a strangle won’t affect the outcome – even the bravest opponent will simply pass out.
Additionally, by choking an opponent out, you actually inflict far less damage to him than it would be the case with a joint lock:
There is something intrinsically better about a method of ending a match that is less damaging to an opponent.
A strangle causes no lasting damage if applied within the rules of the game – a joint lock on the other hand often causes damage.
Strangles are more gentle in application and result (unless of course applied with bad intentions outside the sport).
So, if you have to choose, choose strangles. But your goal ought to be excelling in both:
Jiu-Jitsu expects you to train toward mastery of both – but if fate should ever give you choice between them – bet on strangles over joint locks in most cases.
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If you like chokes, you can turn your arms and legs into pythons and squeeze necks like never before! Here are some tricks that helped Lachlan Giles (Craig Jones’ instructor) to being a 2x ADCC Trials champion and medalist at the IBJJF Worlds in No Gi. Learn Lachlan’s systematic approach and catch the neck effortlessly in no gi. HIGH PERCENTAGE CHOKES: NO GI by BJJ Fanatics.
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