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Rear Naked Choke (RNC) 🚧

Quick Introduction​

The Rear Naked Choke is considered the most effective submission in BJJ and MMA. Applied from back control, it's a blood choke that renders opponents unconscious in seconds when properly executed.

Technique Overview​

Type: Blood choke (carotid arteries)

Available from: Back mount 🚧 (primary), turtle, scrambles

Finish: Forearm and bicep compress carotid arteries on both sides of neck

RNC Variations (3 Main Applications)​

🎯 Standard RNC (Classic)​

Setup Position

Back mount established with seatbelt grip and hooks in

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Maintain back control (hooks and seatbelt)
  2. Slide choking arm under their chin (blade of forearm across throat)
  3. Hand reaches for their opposite shoulder/lat
  4. Release seatbelt grip with other hand
  5. Grab your own bicep with choking arm
  6. Place free hand behind their head
  7. Expand chest and squeeze elbows together
  8. Cut angle toward choking side

Critical Details

  • Blade of forearm across throat (not point of elbow)
  • Bicep on one side of neck, forearm on other
  • No space between your chest and their back
  • Second hand amplifies pressure (lever effect)

Tactical Advantage

Highest finish rate of any submission; works gi and no-gi; fast and efficient; minimal strength required

⚔️ Short Choke (Emergency)​

Setup Position

Back control but cannot get full depth under chin

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Establish back control
  2. Cannot get full arm depth
  3. Choke with forearm only (no hand to shoulder)
  4. Other hand grabs own wrist
  5. Pull and expand chest
  6. Finish with available depth

Critical Details

  • Less clean but still effective
  • Faster finish, less secure
  • Use when they defend chin well
  • Works when time is limited

Tactical Advantage

Quick finish when perfect technique unavailable; catches stubborn chin defense

🔄 Gable Grip Variation (Alternative)​

Setup Position

Back mount with arm under chin achieved

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. Get choking arm under chin
  2. Instead of grabbing bicep
  3. Lock hands together palm-to-palm (gable grip)
  4. Pull across throat
  5. Expand chest and cut angle

Critical Details

  • Less secure than standard
  • Works when can't reach bicep
  • Still creates compression
  • Common in MMA with gloves

Tactical Advantage

Alternative when standard grip unavailable; works with short arms or large opponents

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Chest to back connection - Stay glued like backpack
  2. 💪 Forearm blade position - Not point of elbow
  3. ⏱️ Secure position before attacking - Back mount first, choke second
  4. 🔄 Cut the angle - Turn toward choking side
  5. 🎮 Variation selection - Choose based on situation:
    • Standard → When you have perfect position
    • Short → When they defend chin well
    • Gable → When you can't reach bicep

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Back Control: Position enables technique
  • Leverage: Forearm and bicep create vice
  • Angle: Cutting angle increases pressure dramatically

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Point of elbow on throat - Painful but ineffective blood choke

⚠️ Arm too shallow - They tuck chin and defend

⚠️ Elbows flared out - Weak leverage, easy to defend

⚠️ Chest disconnected - They create space and escape

⚠️ Squeezing with arms only - Tiring and slow

⚠️ Forgetting the angle - Must cut to choking side for maximum pressure

🎯 Next Steps​

After mastering RNC:

  1. Perfect back control → Master back mount 🚧 position first
  2. Learn entries → Practice getting to back from various positions
  3. Study defenses → Understand escapes to better prevent them

🔗 Related Resources​