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A sleeper choke hold is a self-defense maneuver that works by cutting off circulation to your opponent’s brain, causing them to lose consciousness. Since this hold is extremely dangerous, you should only use it in a life-threatening situation or under the guidance of a trained martial arts instructor. To perform the hold, grab your opponent’s shoulders, then pull them around so you are behind them. Once you’re in place, wrap your dominant arm around their chest and pull them close, then move your arm up so it’s around their neck. When they raise their arms to protect their neck, place your nondominant hand on the back of their head. When your arms are in the right positions, slide your dominant arm up under their chin and grab the crook of your nondominant arm. You can then use your dominant arm to apply pressure to both sides of your opponent’s neck. At the same time, turn your hips to the side and shove one hip against their back to brace them and make it harder for them to struggle out of the hold. Unless you’re defending yourself from a serious attack, release the hold after no more than 10 seconds so that you don’t seriously harm your opponent. For more tips, including how to perform the sleeper choke hold safely, keep reading!