The amount of people that cry when someone says the murder choke A.K.A ‘the rape choke’ is legitimate is insane.

Best part of all the complaining and crying over it – no one has ever presented an argument to me that stands up to other chokes. It’s just lots of feelings.

Let’s explore them:

Argument 1: It attacks the trachea (windpipe), so it’s bullshit.

Well, sure, it does if you don’t squeeze for the arteries. But regardless, who cares? You know what other common chokes end up on the trachea? Guillotines, ten-finger chokes, some ezekiel/fist chokes, and others. I don’t ever hear people complain about those – just tap out.

Argument 2: You are going to hurt someone attacking the trachea.

Well, sure, you absolutely will hurt someone if you just go explosive, or full force, not giving them time to tap. You know what other submissions have the same issue? Every joint attack… yet I don’t hear that as an argument not to do them.

Argument 3: It’s a bullshit move that doesn’t require skill – we will laugh at you if you do it.

Awesome, people can laugh as they tap. And if it is really so bullshit and unskillful, then it should take no skill to defend that bullshit. 

The real arguments that those opponents of the choke don’t want to admit are the following:

Actual argument 1: It was called the ‘rape choke’, so they have negative feelings towards it.

Actual argument 2: It isn’t legal in IBJJF tournaments if you squeeze, and people conflate sport rules with reality of effectiveness.

Actual argument 3: They see the choke like leg locks once upon a time – “not real Jiu-Jitsu”.

Actual argument 4: They are unprepared for dealing with that choke at this point and see how often they can fall into it if they don’t change their game.

Actual argument 5: People don’t like to change.

I have used this choke in the past and continue to use it today. You and your opponent in a tournament are bound by rules, but in self-defense neither the aggressor nor defender are (outside what you can defend legally). 

Why would you not include a choke that is accessible, trainable, and effective in your practice? Just because you don’t include it does not mean the next person doesn’t, and you are unprepared – or worse, your students are.

Recommendation:

Like all things, train safely – never explode through a submission, work to keep yourself and partner safe, and always allow and respect the tap.

Mathematical Jiu-Jitsu believes that all submissions should be explored if found effective, reasonably safe to perform/have performed on, and do not involve reproductive parts.