Strangling techniques are an integral part of Jujitsu training.

The objective of shime-waza (strangling techniques) is to render the opponent unconscious or when used in sport jujitsu, to render the opponent helpless. Pressure is applied to the side of the neck to reduce circulation to and from the brain and also to cut off normal breathing. Interfering with brain circulation brings effects within a few seconds and is painless. Interfering with respiration is painful and brings effects in several minutes.

In the neck below the angle of the jaw, the common carotid artery splits into two branches. At this point lies the carotid sinus. This is a pressure receptor which takes part in the control of blood pressure and pulse rate. When blood pressure rises in the carotid sinus, reflexes lower both systemic blood pressure and pulse rate. When blood pressure falls in the carotid sinus, systemic blood pressure and pulse rate rise.

Strangles place direct pressure on both the carotid and vertebral arteries. The former lies in the sides of the neck; the latter enter the base of the brain and are influenced by external pressure in an indirect way. Lowered brain circulation is effected directly by ligature effect when a strangle is applied and pressure gradually increased.

If external pressure is applied, thus decreasing pressure in the sinus and suddenly released, the surge of pressure will cause reflex changes resulting in a marked systemic blood pressure drop, faintness, weakness, or unconscious and lowered pulse rate or even heart arrest. Sensitivity of the carotid sinus is present with no known cause and secondary to certain medical conditions. This sensitivity is manifested by sudden faints when pressure is inadvertently applied to the neck as with a tight collar or suddenly turning the neck.

Blows to the side of the neck and shime-waza can be extremely dangerous. Therefore, precautionary measures should be taken to insure proper care in application and supervision in teaching.

Shutting off respiration may also bring about changes of a reflex nature which may cause serious heart and respiratory reactions. Shutting off the air intake may cause an inadvertent valsalva manoeuvre (forced expiration with the glottis closed), which will set in motion other reflex changes and cardiovascular effects resulting in dangerous and even irreversible physiologic changes.

If by some mischance, the application of shime-waza results in unconsciousness which does not revert spontaneously, or even cardiac arrest, the use of mouth to mouth resuscitation and closed cardiac massage is indicated. If the sensei is fairly competent in the application of katsu, he may apply the indicated manoeuvre along with the preceding, until adequate medical help is secured.

It is to be stressed shime-waza should only be applied with proper care and with an understanding of the basic physiological principles, dangers and precautions.

MULTI-POSITIONAL

1. San Kaku Jime - Triangle Strangle

2. Jigoku Jime - Hell Strangle

FRONT

1. Nami Juji Jime - Natural Cross Strangle

2. Gyaku Juji Jime - Reverse Cross Strangle

3. Kata Juji Jime - Shoulder Cross Strangle

4. Kubi Eri Jime - Neck Lapel Strangle

5. Tsukikomi Jime - Poking Strangle

6. Kata Eri Jime - Shoulder Lapel Strangle

7. Tsurikomi Jime - Lift and Pull Strangle

REAR

1. Hadaka Jime - Naked Strangle

2. Ushiro Jime - Rear Strangle

3. Okuri Eri Jime - Sliding Lapel Strangle

4. Kataha Jime - Broken Wing (Half

Shoulder) Strangle

5. Sode Guruma Jime - Sleeve Wheel Strangle

6. Tsuri Eri Jime - Lifting Lapel Strangle

7. Tsuri Juji Jime - Lifting Cross Strangle

SAFETY RULES WITH SHIME WAZA

Stranglingtechniques must be taught and supervised by a qualified instructor. Since the Jujitsu syllabus has always contained more well-developed strangling techniques than any other martial art and they are practised in real contest situations, Jujitsu instructors usually have extensive experience in the proper application of strangles. Jujitsu is well known for the "Jujitsu strangle", but many other martial arts are now teaching strangle holds without the wealth of background and experience most Jujitsu experts have. Strangles are potentially fatal and should be treated seriously.

As taught in Jujitsu strangles are temporary incapacitating techniques of short duration whose proper execution should be quite harmless. Jujitsu strangling techniques have been used in Jujitsu classes and at thousands of Jujitsu tournaments all over the world for more than 100 years without one reported fatality. It is only with the appropriate emphasis on safety and supervision that this record can be maintained.

Care should be taken when teaching strangles to children whose physiology is different and naturally less developed than adults. Feeling different strangles being applied in practice to you and learning when to submit is an important form of preparation for tournament and for learning how to apply these to others. At this very young age, and in fact for beginners of all ages, the emphasis should be on recognizing the effect of strangles and protecting yourself while always avoiding extreme pressure and unconsciousness in practice.

Strangles may be practised from either a standing position or on the ground, but the ground is inherently safer. When applying a standing strangle with the intention of gaining the full effect you should recognize that the victim will not be able to remain standing. In tournament and practice the person being strangled should always be immediately taken to the ground for better control and to prevent an accidental fall which could injure the athlete as they go unconscious.

Learning when to give up is an important part of training to avoid the risk of unnecessary periods of unconsciousness. While jujitsuans should not give up any opportunity to escape from a strangle, they must also be trained to surrender in a timely fashion when necessary by recognizing when defeat is inevitable and when further resistance will result in unconsciousness. Once you allow yourself to be strangled unconscious your life is literally in your opponent's hands, and the practice of any martial art requires that the student learns ways of avoiding this condition of ultimate helplessness. Since it is virtually impossible to speak while being strangled, the universal signal for submission is tapping of the opponent or mat on at least two occasions.

The most important safety rule when applying a strangling technique is to release pressure immediately when the opponent submits (taps out). When applying a strangle one should be sensitive enough, and have sufficient control over the opponent, to recognize when they lose consciousness so that you can immediately release pressure. Loss of consciousness can be detected easily by the sudden lack of resistance and generally limp feeling of the opponent's body as well as the color of the face and the eyes closing. Sometimes if the strangle is held too long convulsions may begin, but the effects of the strangle should generally be recognised earlier with proper training and supervision.