Buggy Choke

The Buggy Choke is an unconventional and creative submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, executed primarily from the bottom position. Unlike traditional chokes, which rely on superior positioning or leverage, the Buggy Choke can be applied when the opponent is in a dominant position, such as side control, making it a surprising and effective counter.

Mechanics of the Buggy Choke

Choke Type

  • The Buggy Choke is a blood choke that targets the carotid arteries. It uses your arm and leg to create pressure around the opponent’s neck.

Core Concept

  • You trap your opponent’s head and arm between your leg and arm, creating a tight squeezing motion.

Finishing Mechanism

  • The choke is finished by locking your legs and using a combination of your arms and torso to compress the opponent's neck.

Steps to Execute the Buggy Choke

Setup

  • Typically, you’re on the bottom in Side Control Bottom or during a guard pass attempt.
  • Use your inside arm to reach over the opponent’s head and grab your own thigh on the opposite leg.

Leg Positioning

  • Your same-side leg (relative to your reaching arm) comes up and over the opponent’s back to trap their head and arm.

Locking the Choke

  • Lock a triangle with your legs by crossing your ankles, securing their head and arm tightly.
  • Your arm provides additional pressure by pulling their head downward and squeezing.

Final Adjustment

  • Use your core and torso to bridge slightly, creating maximum compression on the neck.

Key Concepts

Surprise Element

  • The Buggy Choke is effective because it is unexpected, especially in dominant positions like Side Control.

Tightness

  • The choke’s success relies on maintaining tight control of the opponent’s head and arm.

Flexibility

  • The choke is easier to perform for practitioners with good hip mobility and flexibility.

Common Scenarios for the Buggy Choke

From Side Control Bottom

  • This is the most common position. You use the opponent's pressure against them as they drive into you to maintain side control.

During a Guard Pass

  • When the opponent attempts a Guard Passes/Knee Cut or similar pass, you can use the opening to set up the Buggy Choke.

From Half Guard (Bottom)

  • If the opponent overcommits their head and arm to control, the choke can be initiated.

Defending Against the Buggy Choke

Postural Awareness

  • Avoid overcommitting your head and arm in Side Control or guard passing.

Frame and Distance

  • Use Frames to prevent the bottom player from establishing their grips and leg positioning.

Recognize Early

  • The choke becomes exponentially harder to defend once locked, so identify and escape during the setup phase.

Strengths of the Buggy Choke

  • Unexpected and works well as a counter.
  • Effective even from disadvantageous positions.
  • Relies on timing and tightness rather than brute strength.

The Buggy Choke is an excellent tool to surprise opponents and exploit their overconfidence in top positions. With practice, it can become a reliable submission in your arsenal, particularly against aggressive top players.

Positioning

The Buggy Choke is most effective from positions where the opponent applies forward pressure, making it a great counterattack from traditionally disadvantageous positions.

Side Control Bottom

Setup

  • This is the most common position for the Buggy Choke.
  • When the opponent applies pressure in Side Control, you use their forward posture against them.

Execution

  • Reach over their head with your inside arm to grab your opposite thigh while bringing your leg over their back to trap their head and arm.

During a Guard Pass

Setup

  • While the opponent attempts a guard pass, such as a Guard Passes/Knee Cut or Toreando, they often overcommit their head and arm, creating an opportunity.

Execution

  • As they pass your guard, establish the choke by trapping their head and arm with your arm and leg.

Half Guard (Bottom)

Setup

  • If the opponent overcommits their posture to flatten and control you, you can initiate the Buggy Choke from Half Guard.

Execution

  • Use your arm to trap their head and grab your thigh, then bring your leg into position to lock the choke.

Scramble Positions

Setup

  • During positional transitions or scrambles, if the opponent’s head and arm come close to your torso, you can opportunistically apply the choke.

Execution

  • Lock in the choke quickly before they can regain posture or disengage.

Mount Bottom

Setup

  • Although less common, the Buggy Choke can be initiated from Mount Bottom if the opponent drives their weight forward and exposes their neck.

Execution

  • Reach over their head, secure your thigh, and bring your leg into position to trap their head and arm.

Key Elements

Opponent’s Overcommitment

  • The choke works best when the opponent applies heavy pressure or positions their head and arm close to your body.

Flexibility

  • Having good hip mobility and the ability to bring your leg over their back is crucial.

Timing

  • Execute the setup quickly before the opponent realizes the threat and adjusts their posture.

Common Path to the Buggy Choke:

  • Identify a position where the opponent's head and arm are close to your torso (e.g., Side Control Bottom).
  • Reach over their head with your arm and grab your opposite thigh.
  • Bring your leg over their back to trap their head and arm.
  • Lock your legs in a triangle and squeeze to finish the choke.

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