Colin Snow
A sleeper hold is a chokehold that applies pressure to the neck, cutting off blood flow to the brain and causing the person to lose consciousness. It is often used in self-defence, combat sports and law enforcement. The move can be performed in several ways, including from the front or side, and by lifting the opponent or throwing them to the ground. The sleeper hold is a controversial technique, as it was used by the NYPD to kill Eric Garner in 2014, despite the department's ban on chokeholds that cut off airflow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Grappling hold |
| Goal | Restrict blood flow to the brain |
| Method | Use leverage to constrict the neck |
| Effect | Loss of consciousness |
| Time | Varies, but on average 9 seconds |
| Usage | Martial arts, combat sports, self-defense, law enforcement, military hand-to-hand combat |
| Variations | Front sleeper choke hold, side-hold, bulldog choke, rear choke hold, guillotine choke |
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What You'll Learn
Sleeper chokeholds cut off blood flow to the brain
A sleeper chokehold is a grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents blood flow to the brain. It involves using leverage and the opponent's body to cut off blood flow in the neck, specifically targeting the arteries on each side of the neck. This restriction of blood supply can lead to unconsciousness or even death if the hold is maintained.
The term "sleeper chokehold" specifically refers to a vascular hold, a type of neck restraint where the arm is positioned around the neck so that the crook of the arm is in front of the Adam's apple. This position allows the person applying the hold to press down on the arteries leading to the brain, briefly cutting off blood flow and causing the opponent to lose consciousness temporarily.
To perform a sleeper chokehold effectively, pressure must be applied to both arteries on the sides of the neck. This can be achieved by driving the opponent's shoulder into one side of their neck and using your arm on the other side, or by wrapping your dominant arm around the side of their neck and locking your arms together. The front sleeper chokehold can be used if you cannot get behind your opponent, utilising your body weight and squeezing the sides of their neck.
The sleeper chokehold is a dangerous technique that has been associated with tragic incidents, such as the death of Eric Garner in 2014, who died after being placed in a prohibited chokehold by NYPD officers. It is important to approach chokeholds with caution and ensure proper training and expertise to avoid causing harm or fatality.
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They can also restrict airflow to the lungs
A sleeper hold, or chokehold, is a grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents air or blood flow from passing through the neck. The restriction of airflow to the lungs can be achieved by leveraging the hold to constrict the upper airway, specifically the trachea, larynx, or laryngopharynx. This is known as an "air choke" or "tracheal choke".
The sleeper hold can be applied in various ways, but the common goal is to restrict airflow to the lungs and induce unconsciousness. One method is to drive the opponent's shoulder into one side of their neck and use your arm on the other side, effectively using their body against them. Another technique is to wrap your arm around the back of their neck, throw your feet back to add weight, and squeeze the sides of their neck.
The restriction of airflow can also be achieved by targeting the windpipe, as seen in the tragic case of Eric Garner, who died after repeatedly stating, "I can't breathe" while being restrained by NYPD officers. This type of chokehold is specifically designed to crush the windpipe and prevent breathing.
It is important to note that chokeholds are dangerous and can lead to serious injury or even death if held for too long. The average time for a chokehold to render an opponent unconscious is 9 seconds, and prolonged application can result in loss of consciousness or even death.
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The chokehold is a general term for a grappling hold
A chokehold is a general term for a grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents air or blood flow from passing through the neck of an opponent. The restriction may be of one or both and depends on the hold used and the reaction of the victim. For instance, a sleeper chokehold is a type of chokehold that puts pressure on both arteries on the sides of the neck. This cut-off of blood flow can cause the opponent to pass out.
Chokeholds are used in martial arts, combat sports, self-defence, law enforcement, and military hand-to-hand combat applications. They are considered superior to brute-force manual strangling, which generally requires a large disparity in physical strength to be effective. The term chokehold or choke is used for all types of grappling holds that strangle. This can be misleading as most holds aim to strangle, not choke. In Judo terminology, blood chokes are referred to as strangleholds or strangles, while air chokes are called chokeholds or chokes.
An air choke or tracheal choke specifically refers to a "true" choke that compresses the upper airway (trachea, larynx, or laryngopharynx), hence interfering with breathing and leading to asphyxia. Although less effective at inducing unconsciousness than its vascular counterpart, the air choke causes excruciating pain and air hunger. Blood chokes, also known as sleeper holds or carotid restraints, are a form of strangulation that compresses one or both carotid arteries and/or the jugular veins without compressing the airway, causing cerebral ischemia and a temporary hypoxic condition in the brain.
The time it takes for a chokehold to render an opponent unconscious varies depending on the type of choke, but the average across all has been recorded as 9 seconds. The lack of blood or air often leads to unconsciousness or even death if the hold is maintained.
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The move was popularised by Ovince Saint Preux in the UFC
A sleeper chokehold is a self-defence technique that involves cutting off an opponent's blood flow by putting pressure on both arteries on the sides of their neck. This can be achieved by driving their shoulder into one side of their neck and using your arm on the other side. Alternatively, you can perform a side-hold by sliding under their shoulder if they miss a punch and wrapping your dominant arm around their neck, locking your arms together.
Saint Preux began his professional MMA career in 2008 and has since compiled an impressive record. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2001 to 2004 and began to train in kickboxing and submission grappling at the age of 21. After two unsuccessful attempts at a professional football career, he turned his attention to martial arts. Saint Preux currently trains at the Knoxville Martial Arts Academy in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Saint Preux has competed in multiple UFC fights, showcasing his unique style and utilising the Von Flue choke submission to great effect. He has faced notable opponents such as Ryan Spann, Kennedy Nzechukwu, Mauricio Rua, and Tanner Boser. Saint Preux's success with the Von Flue choke has popularised the move within the UFC, demonstrating its effectiveness and impact.
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It is also known as a 'carotid sleeper' in forensics
A chokehold, choke, stranglehold or, in Judo, shime-waza, 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 restriction may be of one or both and depends on the hold used and the reaction of the victim. In forensics, chokeholds are known as "carotid sleepers".
Blood chokes, also known as sleeper holds or carotid restraints, are a form of strangulation that compress one or both carotid arteries and/or the jugular veins without compressing the airway, hence causing cerebral ischemia and a temporary hypoxic condition in the brain. Compared to strangulation with the hands, properly applied blood chokes require little physical strength.
In law enforcement, the goal is to force an uncooperative subject to submit without causing death or permanent injury. It is vital to distinguish between air and blood chokes. A hold that simultaneously blocks both the left and right carotid arteries results in cerebral ischemia and loss of consciousness within seconds. If properly applied, the hold produces almost immediate cessation of resistance. However, to avoid injury, the hold cannot be maintained for more than a few seconds. When pressure on the carotids is released, the flow of oxygenated blood resumes immediately and consciousness slowly returns.
In 2014, NYPD police killed Eric Garner by administering a prohibited chokehold. Garner was suspected of selling cigarettes without tax stamps, although he was not. While being restrained by multiple officers, he repeated the words "I can't breathe" 11 times while lying face down on the sidewalk. The New York City medical examiner's report described Garner's death as being due to "compression of the neck" as well as "compression of the chest and his prone positioning during physical restraint by police."
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Frequently asked questions
A sleeper hold is a type of chokehold that involves cutting off blood flow to the brain by applying pressure to the arteries on either side of the neck. This can cause a person to pass out within a few seconds.
An airway hold or chokehold involves cutting off a person's airflow by crushing their windpipe, whereas a sleeper hold or vascular hold applies pressure to the arteries on the sides of the neck, restricting blood flow to the brain.
It typically takes a few seconds for a sleeper hold to cause unconsciousness.
Yes, breathing is still possible during a sleeper hold as it does not restrict the airway.
If held for too long, a sleeper hold can lead to serious injury or even death.
