Last night I was rolling with a blue belt in his late 40's. I caught him in a loop choke and pulled him back into my guard. He then winds up and punches me in the ribs. I let go and ask him what that was and he said he was just trying to get out. Oook slap hands and I then catch him in the exact same choke accept I make sure it's really tight and I hold it a couple seconds after he tapped. He didn't pass out, but he got the message My professor sees the red mark across his neck that the gi left and commented that I have to not be so aggressive . I explained what happened and the guy apologized to me. Did I cross the line? In my opinion a blue belt should know better

Sounds like he was out of line and his ego took a blow. Your instructor should have pulled the student aside and explained what is acceptable and what is not acceptable in training.

Sounds like you had to lay down some mat enforcer mode on him, legit to me!

Not respecting the tap (i.e. holding on longer) I won't condone. You're in the wrong for that. I've been in similar situations before, which have resulted in, ahem, way worse outcomes than yours did, so I can't really preach about what you should have done. But you have to respect the tap, not doing it sets a bad precedent.

Yeah, you were justified with everything up to not letting go after he tapped. I can understand the temptation though for sure. A choke is a little different from an armbar or any kind of lock though.

Holding chokes is a slippery slope. Just tap him quickly with the same move, forever. Best course of action would be also stating the obvious: 'Dudeman. I notice you punched me in the ribs. This is not MMA. Let's not do that.' Understand, a section of the population might be on the spectrum (or just plain crazy), and cannot understand subtext in conversations.

Always respect the tap, no matter what the guy did. The tap is a sacred contract that you have with your training partner. They tap, you let go. I would have taken you to task over that. In your career you will roll will all kinds. Mostly it is going to be new people, but sometimes you meet them in upper ranks. They will bite you, punch you, grab your nuts, pull your hair, head but you, gouge you, etc etc etc. Your job, as a graduate rank, is first, recognize what is going on and deal with the threat. It is self-defense 101, neutralize their attack, second is to inform the person that they are wrong, and allow them to correct their behavior. Some people just have a hard time with the roll. They panic. Getting caught with a choke or being crushed in a pin or pressure situation triggers premortal instincts, that can manifest in obviously illegal, in BJJ, behavior. Work with the student to find out why they reacted that way. Then work on getting that person comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Did I cross the line?

yes.

Yea as time passes I'm more upset with my reaction. It's not me

Perhaps what will get thru to this person is if you apologize and tell him why, maybe it will impress upon him that what he did disrespected your body and is not BJJ. Of course I only mention this as I was in a similar situation and reacted after being punched in the face somewhat similarly (my next takedown had way more pizza / ooomf) and you mention remorse / not what you are. He may not get it, but it sounds like you'd feel better.

In some places if you hold onto a tap more than 2 seconds after the tap you better be ready to fight for real. lol If you really want to prove a point to someone put them in a horrible position that is just short of them tapping but very uncomfortable and just leave them in that position for a few minutes and make them feel miserable. Don't give them the mercy of finishing them. Tapping someone is not always the best way to send a message. Controlling someone while seeming bored or using no energy at all, just hanging out in someone's space like your reading the newspaper can sometimes have a puzzling calming affect on people and get them to start asking questions and slowing down.

You know what's great? We had an actual, respectful exchange of ideas here, and the OP changed his mind. If this subject was addressed at an anonymous site, i bet we'd all dug our heels in and resorted to tough guy posing. Just sayin'

In some places if you hold onto a tap more than 2 seconds after the tap you better be ready to fight for real. lol If you really want to prove a point to someone put them in a horrible position that is just short of them tapping but very uncomfortable and just leave them in that position for a few minutes and make them feel miserable. Don't give them the mercy of finishing them. Tapping someone is not always the best way to send a message. Controlling someone while seeming bored or using no energy at all, just hanging out in someone's space like your reading the newspaper can sometimes have a puzzling calming affect on people and get them to start asking questions and slowing down.

let him know that punching in BJJ is never called for, that's why we have MMA.

10/10 with a white belt my approach would have been a conversation right away. What pissed me off is he's a blue belt and this isn't his first incident, just most extreme. In my opinion blue belts should know better. But I do agree I took it too far. Next time I smash on top for a long time

If this is a recurring theme with said blue belt, I think the instructor should step in and have a sit down with him. Let him know this behavious is unacceptable. Show him the door if he doens't get the message.

The punches should have him being kicked out by the intsructor...or at least a mat enforcer round (or 2-3) The guy is a blue belt...not a noob..he have no excuse..you no bitch if you talk to the instructor....i bet he want to know if those shit happens in his dojo If you are too angry to continue with him next time, Simply change partner, explaining why. Do not let those stupid Guys making you react and cross the line next time. You are cool enough to question your behavior...next time be smart quickly...avoiding the bad waves and 'night without sleep'

Also, to add to this. You can refuse to roll with him and when he asks why tell him. He bends fingers, punches and other dirty training tactics.