
The sleeper hold is a self-defence manoeuvre that can be used to subdue an attacker without causing them harm. It is a specific type of chokehold that aims to restrict blood flow, not airflow, by applying pressure to the sides of the neck. This technique is also used in pro-wrestling and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). When performing a sleeper hold, one can use their own body or the opponent's to apply pressure to the carotids on either side of the neck. It is important to release the hold immediately if the opponent taps on your forearm, indicating surrender.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Goal | Restrict blood flow, not airflow |
| Opponent's position | Front or rear |
| Self-position | Behind opponent or facing opponent |
| Opponent's body part targeted | Neck |
| Self's body part used | Arms |
| Opponent's body part used | Shoulder |
| Opponent's signal to stop | Tap on forearm |
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What You'll Learn
- Use your arms to restrict blood flow by applying pressure to the sides of the neck
- Avoid damaging the windpipe/larynx by restricting airflow only in life-or-death situations
- Employ a front sleeper choke hold by wrapping your arms around the opponent's neck and using your body weight
- Use a guillotine choke on the ground by gripping your opponent's neck and pulling their head down
- Combine your body with your opponent's, e.g. driving their shoulder into their neck and using your arm on the other side

Use your arms to restrict blood flow by applying pressure to the sides of the neck
To use the sleeper hold, also known as a choking technique, you must use your arms to restrict blood flow by applying pressure to the sides of your opponent's neck. This technique is intended to make your opponent lose consciousness without damaging their windpipe or larynx. Restricting airflow is not recommended unless it is a life-or-death situation.
The sleeper hold is a specific technique within the category of chokeholds. It is commonly used in pro wrestling and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). In BJJ, chokeholds refer to submissions that occlude air, while strangles refer to those that impede blood flow. The sleeper hold falls under the latter category.
To execute the sleeper hold effectively, you can use your arms and the opponent's body. Drive their shoulder into one side of their neck and then use your arm to apply pressure to the other side of their neck. This will help you achieve the necessary pressure on both sides of the neck to restrict blood flow.
It is important to note that the sleeper hold should only be used in self-defence situations or when practising controlled techniques in martial arts or similar disciplines. Applying too much pressure to the throat or front of the neck can cause serious damage to the windpipe. Additionally, it is crucial to respect the universal sign of surrender in martial combat, which is a light double-tap on your forearm. If your opponent taps on your forearm, you must immediately release your grip.
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Avoid damaging the windpipe/larynx by restricting airflow only in life-or-death situations
The sleeper hold is a dangerous manoeuvre and should only be used in life-or-death situations. It is a technique used in martial arts and self-defence to subdue an attacker. When applying the sleeper hold, it is crucial to avoid restricting your opponent's airflow by applying pressure to the front of their neck, as this can cause severe damage to their windpipe/larynx. The goal of the sleeper hold is to restrict blood flow, not airflow. Therefore, you should only apply force to the sides of your opponent's neck, using your arms or a combination of your arms and their body.
When performing a sleeper chokehold, you can drive their shoulder into one side of their neck and then use your arm to apply pressure to the other side. This will help you achieve the desired sleeper choke by putting pressure on both sides of the neck without restricting airflow. It is important to be mindful of your opponent's body position and adjust your technique accordingly. For example, if you cannot get behind them, you can wrap your arms around the back of their neck when they lunge forward and use your body weight to keep them locked in place.
In any situation, it is essential to stop applying the chokehold if your opponent taps on your forearm, indicating surrender. This is the universal sign of surrender in martial combat, and you should release your grip immediately. Additionally, be aware of your surroundings and the potential for legal consequences if you are not acting in self-defence.
The sleeper hold is a specific technique within the category of chokeholds. It is important to distinguish between "chokeholds" and "sleeper holds" in certain contexts. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, some practitioners make a distinction between the two. In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), for example, a "choke" typically refers to submissions that occlude air, while a "strangle" refers to those that impede blood flow. This distinction is not universal, but it is important to understand the terminology used in different martial arts communities.
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Employ a front sleeper choke hold by wrapping your arms around the opponent's neck and using your body weight
The sleeper chokehold is a dangerous move that should only be used in extreme situations or under the watch of a martial arts referee or expert. It is a type of chokehold that slows the blood supply to the brain, causing the person being choked to pass out.
If you can't get behind your opponent, you can employ a front sleeper choke hold by wrapping your arms around the back of their neck when they lunge at you. Here's how to do it:
First, establish a firm grip on your opponent. If they are trying to fight you with their hands, grab their wrist with your non-dominant hand and use your dominant hand to grab their upper shoulder. Pull them towards you while rotating their shoulders to get behind them. Once you have established a good grip, start rotating your hips so that they press into your opponent's back, making it harder for them to resist the move or escape.
Now, wrap your dominant arm around their neck. Pull them closer to you to maintain a firm grip. Adjust the position of your dominant forearm so it sits closely around their neck. As you do this, your opponent will likely raise their arms and hands to protect their neck. This gives you the opportunity to place your non-dominant hand behind their head.
Finally, start applying pressure to the sides of their neck. It is important to only apply pressure to the sides of the neck, not the throat, to restrict blood flow, not airflow. If you are able to put pressure on both carotid arteries, your opponent should pass out quickly. However, be sure to release the chokehold after 10 seconds unless you are in immediate danger, as continuing the hold for 20-30 seconds can cause permanent injury or even death.
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Use a guillotine choke on the ground by gripping your opponent's neck and pulling their head down
The guillotine choke, also known as Mae Hadaka Jime in judo, is a chokehold often applied from the front of the opponent, either on the ground or while standing. It involves using the arms to encircle the opponent's neck, resembling a guillotine blade. The choke can be a tracheal compression restraint (air choke) or a blood choke, depending on how and where pressure is applied. Here is a step-by-step guide to performing a guillotine choke on the ground by gripping your opponent's neck and pulling their head down:
- Pull your opponent's head down: If your opponent's head is slightly bent towards you, reach out and pull their head down by clasping your hands behind their neck. Get their head level with your chest, with their face towards the ground. Alternatively, you can use a collar tie grip with one arm to pull their head down.
- Wrap your arm around their neck: With their head facing down, wrap your arm around the back of your opponent's head and neck. Keep your forearm against their neck and your palm facing your chest to maintain tight pressure.
- Secure the grip: Use your other hand to grasp your wrist or forearm to tighten the hold. You can also use a chainlink grip, where the fingers of each hand are cupped together. Pull your opponent's head towards your hips to create a tighter grip.
- Control your opponent's body: Wrap your legs around your opponent's midsection or torso to control their hips and prevent them from escaping. You can also use your legs to squeeze and apply additional pressure.
- Apply pressure: Pull up with your arms and push down with your legs to stretch your opponent and finish the choke. Squeeze your chest and neck towards your opponent's windpipe to restrict their airflow.
- Force submission: Maintain the choke until your opponent taps out or passes out. The guillotine choke is extremely effective in forcing an opponent to submit.
It is important to note that the guillotine choke can be dangerous, and proper training and supervision are necessary to avoid serious injury.
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Combine your body with your opponent's, e.g. driving their shoulder into their neck and using your arm on the other side
The goal of a sleeper hold is to restrict blood flow, not airflow, so it is important to only use force on the sides of your opponent's neck. To combine your body with your opponent's, you can drive their shoulder into one side of their neck and use your arm on the other side. This technique is known as a sleeper choke and is achieved by putting pressure on both sides of the neck. This can be done by using your body weight and upper body strength to keep your opponent locked in place.
If you are unable to get behind your opponent, you can still initiate a front sleeper choke hold. Wrap your arms around the back of their neck when they lunge at you and throw your feet behind you to put more weight on your opponent's back. Squeeze the sides of their neck and they will eventually go limp. Alternatively, if you end up on the ground, you can use a guillotine choke by getting an arm around your opponent's neck and gripping your own wrist. Wrap your legs around your opponent's torso or kick your legs out at an angle to tilt their head down and restrict their movement.
It is important to remember that the sleeper hold is a specific technique within the category of chokeholds, and it is meant to make someone go unconscious if they do not tap out. The universal sign of surrender in martial combat is a light double-tap on an exposed section of skin, indicating that your opponent is giving up. As soon as you feel this tap on your forearm, release your grip immediately. Additionally, be mindful not to apply too much pressure to your opponent's throat as you may damage their windpipe.
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Frequently asked questions
A sleeper hold is a specific technique in the category of chokeholds, often used in wrestling. It is a choking technique that makes someone go to sleep if they do not tap out.
There are a few ways to perform a sleeper hold. One way is to use your arms to go around the carotids on either side of the neck. You can also use your opponent's body by driving their shoulder into one side of their neck and using your arm on the other side.
The goal of a sleeper hold is to restrict blood flow, not airflow. Applying too much pressure to the throat may damage the windpipe.
The universal sign of surrender in martial combat is a light double-tap on an exposed section of your skin, usually the forearm. This indicates that your opponent is giving up.
A chokehold is a catch wrestling concept where you restrict airflow by placing your arm around the opponent's neck. A sleeper hold is a specific type of chokehold that restricts blood flow, often resulting in the opponent fading into unconsciousness, similar to sleep.






























