How to Do the Gi Choke Defense in Martial Arts

The gi choke is a dangerous technique that can finish you off in a matter of seconds. To escape the gi choke, you must react the moment your opponent attempts to apply it. A martial arts uniform is called a "gi." Since your opponent is using your gi to try to choke you, it is only appropriate that you use it to reverse his technique and trap him in a joint lock. This gi choke defense works both from a standing position and while you are on your back.

Difficulty:

Challenging

Instructions

1. Reach up and grab the hand that is on your throat. Do this with your opposite-side hand. For example, if your opponent's left fist is on your neck, grab it with your left hand. Place your palm over the back of your opponent's hand and clutch it toward your chest and away from your neck. Do not let go of it for the remainder of this technique.

2. Turn your body away from the choking arm. If you are standing, you can take a step backward. If you are on your back, you must drive your hips into your opponent and roll toward your side. The turn will take some pressure off your neck and give you a few more seconds of consciousness.

3. Throw your free arm over your opponent's choking arm. Make this a wide arc, so you can get your entire arm to the other side. Since your arm is moving in the same direction as you are turning, this is a very natural motion. Maintain a firm hold on the hand that is attempting to choke you.

4. Keep turning until your opponent's wrist turns completely over and is upside down. His thumb will be pointing down, with the pinky side of his hand pointing up, as if he is giving a "thumbs down" gesture. By this time, your free arm should be completely over your opponent's choking hand. His wrist should be tucked snugly into your armpit.

5. Snap your arm straight down with extreme force. Do this by suddenly bringing your elbow to your body and tightening your grip around your opponent's wrist. Since you are holding his choking hand, he cannot escape. This must be done at the exact moment your opponent's wrist is completely upside down. You are bending his wrist in a direction it was not intended to bend. This motion will cause your opponent great pain, and could break his wrist. More importantly, you have ended his gi choke.