How to defend the Bow and Arrow Choke. This can be a rough place to get caught in and if you dont know how to defend it may lead to some unnecessary taps.
The core of this defense centers around the knowledge that the elbow going behind the shoulder blade is what creates the choking power. Often people will get into this position and just grab a hold of their opponents whole arm. This leads to sometimes defending the choke, but often it just turns into a last ditch effort that burns out your arms.
If you look at the video please take note of my grips. I prefer to control one hand on the elbow and the other free hand will go on the tricep. The simple reason for this is I’m holding onto a piece of fabric and I realize that once my opponent starts to stretch hit his arm that his elbow will slip up the inside of his/her kimono. If I’m holding one of my hands at the tricep then I’m prepared for his/her elbow being there.
Once I get that arm secured I bring my elbow to the inside of my opponents leg. This really adds a lot of stability and bone support so that you do not have to burn out your arms so much defending the choke.
Once I’ve gotten my elbow to the inside of the leg it’s time to start reverse shrimping. If you watch in the video I explain the next tricky part…extending my neck.
If you’ve been choked, as most of you who are watching this video have been, then you might be skeptical. Stretching the neck has a purpose here, we REALLY need to get our head to the floor on the other side of that “choking arm”.
There will be times when it is very difficult to get your head into that pocket. I suggest continued shrimping towards your opponents feet while maintaining control of that arm. Whatever you do do not let that elbow pass behind your shoulder!
Once your head gets to the floor you are basically out of the choke but keep in mind you are not out of danger yet. If you dont stay heavy on your opponents leg he/she will probably mount you (or at least end in Half Guard top). My suggestion is to try your best to beat them in this scramble.
