[sha]

I get caught in this every time I try to attack the leg in half guard. My personal counter is simply not to get the underhook and instead use a octopus guard like position.

But I would still like to know how to defend that move, or at least how you can prevent the guy from getting it when you have the "typical" half guard with the underhook.

I found this interesting thread:

http://mmalibrary.com/vis_emne.asp?id=8867&mode=

but I don't really understand the sweep they're talking about.

[Flibb]

The armtriangle?
Put the hand of the trapped arm next to the ear on that side.

[sha]

The brabo choke is not the arm triangle. It's impossible to do what you said to defend the brabo. (if you don't know what it is: http://www.grapplearts.com/Brabo-No-Gi-Choke.htm )

[Flibb]

Ah thanks for enlighten me. Sorry can't help because ive never practiced it.

[jonpall]

Give up your underhook and use that arm to trap his overhook so he can't post on the mat - you're going to roll him to that side.

To be more precise, when I have the underhook and I feel a big pressure from his overhook, I realize that he might be going for the brabo choke. Actually, if I can grab his far shoulder with my underhook, it should be very hard for him to do the brabo choke because he won't have the leverage to crush my underhook with his overhook and get his overhook arm deep enough for the choke.

But let's say that my underhook arm is getting crushed. I usually grab the wrist of his overhook arm with both hands for a second or two, to stall the choke a bit. Then, with my non-underhook arm, I grab under his free leg and roll him over my body.

Here's a more simple way to deal with the Brabo choke that you might like better: Whenever he's going for the choke, get flat on your back! Or roll him all the way over. He needs you to be a bit sideways and when you get flat on your back he will usually try to pull his arm back so he won't get rolled.

Hope this helps.

[Aesopian]

I've heard and seen many brabo escapes, and most work to some degree.

My personal response to the brabo is to try to avoid it in the first place by keeping my underhook lower around their waist/hip, and usually at the first sign of it, I'll put in a butterfly hook or cross my knee on their hip to create space so they can't get their arm deep enough for it.

While I was typing this, I see jonpall replied with my this sweep, but I'm going to repeat it since it's a good counter and I already typed it all goddamnit:

I'll counter the brabo choke (or wizzer) by going flat to my back for a sweep. I'll bring my underhooking hand inside and grab their wizzering hand so they can't pull it put, then I'll grab their far knee and go flat and turn my hips so they roll to the side of their trapped arm.

I've seen people (like my MMALibrary thread that you linked) grab the back of their thigh and use it to stretch their arm and open the space but I never really use it.

I've also seen people defend by simply putting their free arm up like they're defending their neck from a collar choke, and the position of the elbow and forearm took away the finishing pressure of the choke.

But back to my first "counter", I think awareness and avoidance are the best answer.

[TheHighlander]

1) If he traps your leg, free it (shrimping type motion can work for this). Once your legs are free just turn your back to the mat.

2) To prevent most people from sinking the choke itself, keep a strong underhook, about waist level.

I have great success with #2...there's only one guy that's been able to get past it and he has 8 inches of height on me. I've used #1 a few times, but its utility was really hammered home the few times an opponent has ever escaped mine.

[sha]

Thanks for the advice. Keeping the underhook lower is a good idea, it's simple but I've never tought about it. It might make it easier for them to pummel back for their underhook, though, but it's still better than getting choked (actually I usually tap from the pain on my neck and shoulder before feeling the choke, but I still call it a choke).

I'll try the sweep too, thanks for the explanation aesopian and jonpall.

Does anyone else feel like the half guard is the most complex position ? Both persons can submit or improve position, and the person on the bottom can sweep. I can think of no other position that leaves so many possibilites. For example when you're on the bottom of side mount it's pretty hard to submit or sweep someone (although it's possible).

[kneecompression]

we were playing with this one tonight at class. try using your free leg to push his hips away while fishing your trapped arm out. we didn't think of going flat on the back, but that makes sense i think. i'll work on it more on wednsday and post back here