
A sleeper chokehold is a self-defence technique that can be used to put an attacker to sleep. It involves cutting off blood flow to the brain by putting pressure on both arteries on either side of the neck. This technique is also known as a carotid sleeper in forensics and is used in martial arts, combat sports, self-defence, law enforcement and military hand-to-hand combat. The average time it takes for a chokehold to render an opponent unconscious is 9 seconds. However, it is important to note that chokeholds can also result in death if the hold is maintained.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness | It works by cutting off blood flow to the brain, causing the person to pass out. |
| Usage | Used in self-defence, MMA, and law enforcement. |
| Time | It takes a few seconds for the person to pass out. |
| Safety | Can be dangerous and even lead to death if held for too long. |
| Legality | Banned by the NYPD due to the death of Eric Garner. |
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What You'll Learn
- The sleeper chokehold is a self-defence technique that puts an attacker to sleep
- It cuts off blood flow to the brain by applying pressure to the arteries on the sides of the neck
- The vascular hold is a type of sleeper chokehold that police officers are trained to use
- The front sleeper chokehold is a variation that uses body weight to restrain an opponent
- A guillotine chokehold is used when the fight goes to the ground

The sleeper chokehold is a self-defence technique that puts an attacker to sleep
The sleeper chokehold is a self-defence technique that can put an attacker to sleep. It is a type of chokehold that involves cutting off blood flow to the brain rather than restricting airflow. By applying pressure to the arteries on both sides of the neck, the sleeper chokehold can cause an attacker to lose consciousness in a matter of seconds.
The technique is often used in martial arts, combat sports, self-defence, law enforcement, and military hand-to-hand combat. It is known for being effective even when the attacker is much larger or stronger than the defender. This is because the sleeper chokehold relies on leverage and technique rather than brute force.
To perform a sleeper chokehold, the defender stands behind the attacker and wraps their arms around the attacker's neck. The defender then squeezes the sides of the attacker's neck, applying pressure to the arteries. It is important to control the opponent's head and use your body weight to keep them locked in place. Additionally, the defender can drive the attacker's shoulder into one side of their neck and use their arm on the other side of the neck.
The sleeper chokehold should only be used in self-defence situations when one's life is in danger. It is a very dangerous technique that can result in serious injury or even death if applied incorrectly. It is important to learn the technique from a qualified instructor and to practice with caution.
In some cases, the sleeper chokehold has been associated with controversial incidents involving law enforcement. For example, Eric Garner died in 2014 after a NYPD officer placed him in a prohibited chokehold. This has led to increased scrutiny and debate over the use of chokeholds in law enforcement.
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It cuts off blood flow to the brain by applying pressure to the arteries on the sides of the neck
A sleeper chokehold, also known as a "carotid sleeper", is a manoeuvre that applies pressure to the arteries on the sides of the neck, cutting off blood flow to the brain. This can cause a person to pass out in as little as a few seconds. It is important to note that this technique is different from an airway chokehold, which crushes the windpipe and restricts breathing.
To perform a sleeper chokehold, an individual can wrap their arm around the side or back of their opponent's neck, using their body weight to apply pressure to the arteries. It is important to put pressure on both arteries to achieve the desired effect. For example, one method involves driving the opponent's shoulder into one side of their neck and using the arm on the other side of the neck. Another method, known as the front sleeper choke hold, can be used if the opponent is facing you. In this case, you can wrap your arms around the back of their neck and use your body weight to squeeze the sides of their neck.
The sleeper chokehold is a powerful technique that can be used in self-defence, martial arts, and law enforcement. It is important to use caution and expertise when applying this manoeuvre, as prolonged application can lead to unconsciousness or even death.
It is worth noting that the New York Police Department explicitly bans chokeholds that cut off airflow. However, there have been controversial cases, such as the death of Eric Garner in 2014, where a prohibited chokehold was administered by NYPD officers, resulting in his death.
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The vascular hold is a type of sleeper chokehold that police officers are trained to use
A sleeper chokehold is a general term for a grappling hold that prevents blood or air from passing through the neck of an opponent. The vascular hold is a type of sleeper chokehold that police officers are trained to use. It involves placing the arm around the neck in such a way that the crook of the arm is in front of the Adam's apple, allowing the person to breathe but putting pressure on the arteries on the sides of the neck. This briefly cuts off the flow of blood to the brain, causing the person to pass out momentarily, giving the police officer enough time to handcuff them.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has banned chokeholds that cut off air or crush the windpipe, making it difficult to breathe. However, the vascular hold is a different type of neck restraint that does not restrict breathing. The NYPD's use of chokeholds has come under scrutiny following the death of Eric Garner in 2014. Garner died after uttering the words, "I can't breathe" multiple times while being restrained by officers. The officer involved claimed he was not attempting any kind of chokehold and that it was a botched attempt at a vascular hold.
The effectiveness of chokeholds and their potential for misuse have sparked debates about their appropriateness in law enforcement. While chokeholds can be used as a self-defense technique or in combat sports, their application in law enforcement settings may lead to tragic outcomes. The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 was introduced to prohibit federal police officers and local law enforcement agencies from using chokeholds or other carotid holds.
Despite the risks associated with chokeholds, some argue that they provide law enforcement officers with an alternative to using pepper spray, Tasers, or firearms. The average time for a chokehold to render someone unconscious is nine seconds, and it can be achieved by restricting blood flow or airflow. However, the lack of blood or air can also lead to death if the hold is not released promptly.
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The front sleeper chokehold is a variation that uses body weight to restrain an opponent
A sleeper chokehold is a grappling hold that can critically reduce or prevent air or blood flow to the neck of an opponent. The front sleeper chokehold is a variation that uses body weight to restrain an opponent. This technique is also known as a ""carotid sleeper" in forensic terminology.
To perform a front sleeper chokehold, you must wrap your arms around the back of your opponent's neck when they lunge at you. You then throw your feet behind you to put more weight on your opponent's back and squeeze the sides of their neck. This technique is similar to a rear chokehold, except that you use your body weight instead of your upper body strength to restrain your opponent.
The effectiveness of the front sleeper chokehold lies in applying pressure to both arteries on the sides of the neck. By doing so, you can briefly cut off the flow of blood to your opponent's brain, causing them to pass out temporarily. This technique is different from an airway chokehold, which aims to crush the windpipe and restrict breathing.
It is important to note that chokeholds can be extremely dangerous and should only be performed under the supervision of a competent instructor. They have been associated with serious injuries and even deaths, as seen in the case of Eric Garner, who died after being placed in a chokehold by NYPD officers in 2014.
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A guillotine chokehold is used when the fight goes to the ground
A chokehold is a general term for a grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents either air (choking) or blood (strangling) from passing through the neck of an opponent. The guillotine choke, also known as Mae Hadaka Jime in Judo, is a chokehold applied from in front of the opponent, often when the fight goes to the ground. It can, however, also be performed while standing.
The guillotine choke is an important move in self-defence, jujutsu, and mixed martial arts. It involves using the arms to encircle the opponent's neck, resembling the blade of a guillotine. The choke can be performed from a standing position or on the ground. When executed from the ground, the person applying the choke will try to control the opponent by the hips, for instance, using a closed guard. The guillotine choke can be used as a defence against a double leg takedown, with the other arm and legs being used to either transition position, grapple or strike the opponent.
The guillotine choke can be used to force an opponent to submit. The choke forces the opponent to tap out (surrender) or suffer extreme discomfort or injury. The ideal situation for using this choke is when an opponent lunges towards your legs, moves to escape from your guard position on the ground, or any other time that their head is low and close enough to your body to position your choking arm behind their neck.
The guillotine choke can be performed in two ways: as a tracheal compression restraint (air choke) or a blood choke. The former prevents airflow to the lungs, while the latter restricts blood flow to the brain. For a blood choke, the radial bone on the inner wrist is placed against the opponent's carotid artery, located on either side of the neck. For an air choke, the placement of the arm is different, with the crook of the arm in front of the Adam's apple, so the trachea is compressed instead of the arteries.
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Frequently asked questions
A sleeper hold is a chokehold that applies pressure to the arteries on either side of the neck, restricting blood flow to the brain. This can cause a person to lose consciousness in around 9 seconds.
Yes, sleeper holds work by cutting off blood flow to the brain, causing a person to pass out. However, it is important to note that this can be extremely dangerous and has even led to deaths, such as in the case of Eric Garner.
There are various ways to perform a sleeper hold, depending on your position relative to your opponent. If you are behind them, you can wrap your arms around the back of their neck and squeeze the sides. If you are in front, you can drive their shoulder into one side of their neck and use your arm on the other side. You can also perform a side-hold by wrapping your dominant arm around the side of their neck and locking your arms together.




















