Easy Low-Risk BJJ Smother Choke Methods To Tap Everyone

Easy Low-Risk BJJ Smother Choke Methods To Tap Everyone

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is practiced today; it is more than merely a self-defense technique that has evolved into a broader array of applications. Just like most martial arts practiced today, BJJ is also aimed at repulsing aggressors. It is considered the best self-defense martial art that can be used even in real-life scenarios. The ground art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) emphasizes position over submission attempts, allowing the opportunity to seize even the larger and heavier contender.


BJJ employs a variety of multiple submission methods. The core purpose of using the submissions is to draw out a tap from the opponent. There are also harsh and illegal moves used by certain practitioners that have a drastic effect, and they could be very dangerous and life-threatening.


Most often, some of the contenders apply it to the opponent to harm them. Along with BJJ, additional platforms, some of which belong to fundamental federations, state a few of the submissions as illegal.


The most developed performing sports martial arts organization, the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), does not allow practicing and promoting harmful techniques in the tournament.


BJJ Smothering is one of the choking techniques in which a practitioner applies force over the face to block all passive airways. It requires the use of their limbs or any other part of the body to create the blockage. However, this is extremely risky and intense, especially for those who practice it, even for a few seconds.


It is the choking method that requires the fighter to attack the opponent to get the grip over the mouth or nose to choke the opponent with air blockage. The fighter must hold the head down tightly, and pressure is exerted to compress it.


Most competitions in BJJ have specific guidelines that simplify other aspects of the sport. IBJJF is the biggest organization and governing body of BJJ. The IBJJF prohibits any use of joint locks in their events that presents the potential for harm to the person being addressed. BJJ Smothering is one of the many choking techniques that are improper according to the rules, and in some of the tournaments, it is prohibited.

1. What is a Smother Choke?

BJJ Smothering is a choking method that blocks the opponent's air passage. The fighter must place a hand or other parts of the body on top of the opponent's mouth and nose. This action interrupts average oxygen intake, and the opponent can not remove carbon dioxide.


In addition to that, pressure is exerted over the torso, which compresses the trachea. So, this way, by focusing on the chest and keeping a hand on an individual's face to conquer his mind, the opponent will instantly tap out or submit himself.


When the fighters are grappling, there is always the search for a high percentage of moves that require little effort and can also have risk and offer high returns. A very common and dangerous submission used in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the smother choke.


It is the air choke that can prevent the flow of air inside and out. If the fighter succeeds, this smother choke can quickly end a match in relatively less time. As it completely inhibits the opponents’ breath. In most BJJ competitions, smothering is often considered foul or illegal. The fighter covers the nose with the foot, hand, body part, or uniform.


Achieving a high-mount position with either an underhook or a double underhook is necessary to execute the air choke. The fighter can pin the opponent with both of your hands. Secure the grip of the hands to stop them from escaping, and apply your chest and shoulder to their neck and collarbone.

What is a Smother Choke?

Out of the many submissions that can be performed from the mount, the BJJ smother choke takes time and practice to execute correctly. But once you have mastered the technique, you will become more proficient in tapping out many of your opponents from the mount position.


This submission is performed by strangling the opponent, who is being mounted by pushing the mount's chest. Meanwhile, the neck extension pulls toward the direction of the opponent's neck base.


Although the BJJ smother choke is one of the most effective BJJ chokes, it can provide the required results for submitting the opponent. For the application of the smother choke, the fighter needs to work on the correct application, which requires practice and patience. Blocking the air passage for more than necessary can lead to drastic outcomes.

2. Execution of the BJJ Smother Choke

Execution of the BJJ Smother Choke

Executing the jiu-jitsu smother choke appears to be a simple task, but it requires minute details. To take the dominant position with the full mount position requires much practice. Let us figure out how to execute the smother choke, a low-risk method to get the tap from the opponent.

2.1. Take the Position

In the initial step, the position taken with the mount, the opponent will be in the guard position. The fighter needs to get to the top of the opponent. Keep the legs on both sides.

2.2. Lean Down

In the next step, the fighter will sit; he needs to lean forward. Place the hands at the side of the opponent’s head and move down the head along with the face of the opponent.

2.3. Place the Hands

Secure the grip of the hands by keeping them parallel to the face of the opponent. Move one hand under the hand of the opponent, which makes the L shape. At the same time, the other hand is at the side of the mat.

2.4. Hook the Legs

The next step is to hook the legs of the opponent, and you need to move your legs under the opponent's knees and secure them. This step will restrict the movement of the opponent.

2.5. Lock the Arm

Move the hand that is placed over the shoulder of the opponent, and this will restrict the movement of the arm.

2.6. Grip the Sleeve or Wrist

Hold the sleeve or wrist with the underneath hand; in this way, the fighter can also get control over the opponent's upper body.

2.7. Slide at the Top

Gilde is the upper part of the body over the opponent's chest and reaches the head.

2.8. Finishing the Smother Choke

The submission of the smother choke can be done in multiple ways that could be:

  • Keep the shoulder over the mouth and nose of the opponent until he taps.

  • Get a full grip over the face by keeping the arms at the side of the opponent’s head. Then, place the torso, apply the pressure, and choke the opponent.

    or,

    Slide the head at the side under the bicep and secure the grip with two arms. Hold the grip to finish the submission of the smother choke.

3. Variations of the Smother Chokes

3.1. Mounted Smother Choke

Mounted smother choke, as the name suggests, can be applied from the mount position. However, it is unclear why it was called a mounted smother choke. However, when the implements include a head and arm choke, most of the force is across the back of the neck. The finish can also involve some form of neck crank or a blood choke as the arms encircle the opponent's neck with the covering arm against the center of the body.


In this case, the opponent on the mount feels comfortable with his arms over his head. Elbows were utterly bent, and they were prevented from being used. Close to the ground to the side of the opponent’s torso, hands to the head. He is blocked from arms or arm triangles, choking him while sitting on his arms and in a position to defend against choking attempts.


Most of the applications can be applied with the help of the arms. The fighter can use the right elbow that moves across the right side of the head. The last move is to grab the opponent's elbow. Note that the effectiveness of the mounted smother choke BJJ is greater than that of any other method.


Use the left arm that is moving across the opponent's opposite arm. The direction of the arm will be facing upwards. As his hand is finally raised and the armpit is spread open, the head is moved behind the tricep to hold the arm down. After this, if required, the opponent can be pulled up slightly so that his right arm can be positioned beneath him.


At this point, you no longer need to use your head to trap the arm. The opponent is already locked. It is this grip wherein the neck and shoulder are tucked in.

3.2. Python Muffler

Python Muffler is one of the versatile moves used by the wild contender Vagner Rocha. He is often regarded as the most aggressive fighter of jiu-jitsu. This trap is also famous for the name Python Trap. This method became famous after the application by Vagner; he won most of the matches with this dynamic move of Python Muffler.


The execution of this move is also epic, the first step is taking control over the opponent, with the dominant position. The fighter needs to pin down the opponent after taking the grip over both his opponent's arms and immobilizing him, which reduces the chances of escape. At some point in time, if it comes to that, he will have only one choice left. That is submitting.


In the python muffler grasp, Vagner held one arm of the opponent with his leg and the other with one of his arms. His one leg is on the master’s leg for better holding. One of the legs was placed over the offensive leg. There is one side of the face covering the mouth and the nose because of covering the mouth and nose. In this way, the fighter can breathe out of the opponent and make him tap out instead.

4. Tips to Escape from the Smoother Choke

One of the most undignified moments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to submit yourself. Tapping out because one has been caught in a tight technical choke is normal, but getting smothered slowly as the fighter has covered the nose and mouth is irritating. It is not only embarrassing but also very time-consuming.


On other occasions, the person feels that they are simply venting themselves, whereas the event is applied to you, which certainly does not improve things. In this article, we will use some techniques to avoid a jiu-jitsu smother choke. It is not very complicated, and it will require considerably less time.

  • When you are being smothered, a part of your face is covered, which leaves no space for the air passage of the mouth or nose. The bigger the area for intake, the more oxygen will be inhaled, enabling you to think of a way to escape and seek revenge on your opponent.

  • If you are somewhere underneath a breath control, and that breath control is a gi, and your jaw is relaxed and just hanging with a small gap, this is where your problem lies. If you can not breathe air at that point, you are trying to do it through a thin gap. If you get rid of that gap, open your mouth wide to let the oxygen get inside the body.

  • Note that the face might be covered with the sleeve of the Gi, or it might be covered with the hands in No Gi. The first step is not to panic; instead, try to find ways to inhale.

  • Since you are sitting up, just assume that you are in a mounted position. You would then be on your opponent’s right side, gripping his right wrist and in a palm that should be in a C-shaped pushing action against the opponent’s mat. This is the action where hand separation may be achieved. Hand separation will probably be the most challenging part of this move.

  • The arm should be in a position similar to that of settling. The right side of his head should be where your elbow rests. So if this is done, let's end the arm bar while grabbing that right elbow, or if that is not an option, then remain as is to avoid losing the mounted position.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

5.1. Is smothering considered a legal choke in BJJ?

Smothering is forbidden in some tournaments and eventually legalized in others. Consider that you are practicing in your jiu-jitsu academy and rolling with your partner. If you get trapped in the smothered choke, then you will face unbearable difficulties.


Each organization has its prohibition. However, most academies and even governing bodies do not allow this form of fighting and call it an act of cowardice.

6. Final Words

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art that provides multiple ways for the opponent's submission. In a grappling match, fighters constantly seek a high percentage of submission methods that require low-effort moves that also carry a high risk but yield high rewards. Smother choke is an uncommon and dangerous submission used in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.


Smother chokes are among the most effective BJJ chokes, but they can also yield the necessary results to subdue the opponent in the bout. The fighter must practice applying the smother choke correctly, which takes time and experience. Severe consequences may result from blocking the air passage for longer.


Regarding stroking opponents, in some tournaments, it is treated as legal, and in others, it is treated as illegal. Smothering is often forbidden in the gym, but even then, smothering is not a very popular way of submitting.


The variations of the smother choke python trap and choking smothering from the mount position rank the viewership level in numerous competitions. Vagner Rocha was able to finish his contributor with a Python trap. This submission technique is rather famous just because of its dynamic method.

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