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Hi Tiger,

Sure that would work as coming through from under, pinning one arm and elbowing and such… I’d think some jiu jitsu folk would have plenty of escapes for this too.

I did not see that movie yet but I generally love his movies… you know fighting zombies or crazy stunt men getting their just deserts in the end.

Hey John,
Good to hear from you.
You’re right that Jiu-Jitsu folk would have some more tricks up their sleeve.
I got the movie from Redbox for a buck a day.
Just met a fellow tennis player who has seen it 4 times already.
Have a great weekend!

The technique isn’t very strong IMO. This isn’t a knock against the performers–there just aren’t many good “self-defense” options from that position IMHO.

Fortunately, no street fight ever actually starts from this position.

Thanks for writing in, Chris.
I appreciate your honest opinion.
What other options would you recommend and what if a street fight
actually does end up or start from this ugly position?
I’m honestly interested in learning more about this one to share with
our fellow martial arts/self-defense followers.
Thanks again, Chris.

I believe most street fights start with both people standing up. Ergo, that is where street self-defense training should start. It may or may not end with both people on the ground, but one would hope not, right?

What happens if someone is stronger and heavier than you, with longer reach, and they are sitting on your chest choking you, and you aren’t an expert fighter (as opposed to someone with 4 hours of SD training)? YOU DIE. Sorry man, I don’t have any other answers. No harm in trying something at that point–might be the last thing you ever do–but the real answer is to avoid that circumstance.

Hey Chris,
Thanks for sharing your insights.
I guess we just continue to avoid that circumstance
and die of old age in our sleep with a smile on our face.
Stay safe and stay in touch.
Thanks again.

As the first poster has commented, I’d go for one of the arms and try to bend it and keep it close to my body, to try to mitigate any reach advantage the choker would have over me, who’d be supine, pinned, and have little leverage to work with. Then I’d go for a collar-tie clinch or try to pass the guard, failing that I’d have to try to upa/bridge my way out.

I would discount the notion of trying to elbow/hammerfist the offender’s groin, since it’s a downward blow that you probably would not be able to aim correctly, with nothing said of inciting the attacker’s anger even more so. The objective is to get out of the choke, and escape; not pin the attacker down and to try to armbar the guy.

Hmm. Very intriguing insights.
Thanks for sharing your helpful SD approach.