How to Do a Ninjitsu Thumb Choke

Ninjitsu uses a number of chokes in its attack and defense inventory. The thumb choke is one of these super-effective and very fast chokes that can disable an opponent and turn any fight in your favor.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Get a solid base with your body squared towards your ninjitsu opponent and your knees slightly bent. If you think your opponent might try to counterattack with a leg strike, then close distance by stepping forward and bending your knee so that your shin blocks any kick or knee strike.

2. Grab inside of your opponent's collar or lapels (if the lapels of a coat or jacket are high) so that you grab with your thumbs facing you and your fingers inside of your opponent's shirt.

3. Turn your hands so that your thumbs go from facing toward you (or to the ground) so that they end up facing the top of your opponent's head. You need to keep your hands close to your opponent's neck as you do this and make sure that as you turn your hands, your thumbs move along your opponent's neck.

4. Apply an upward pressure as if you're trying to lift your opponent off the ground from the choke position. If you opponent doesn't relent try to dig your thumbs deeper into the fleshy underside of your opponent's jaw. If your opponent still doesn't give in to the choke, jerk him towards you and throw a knee to his stomach so he leans toward you and into the choke, thereby applying more force to it.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice the thumb joke with an experienced ninjitsu instructor since the choke can be dangerous.