the rear naked choke is one of brazilian jiu-jitsu’s (bjj) signature moves. it’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require much strength, making it a favorite among grapplers of all sizes.
May 19, 2024
Jeff Lindholm
The rear naked choke is one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s (BJJ) signature moves. It’s simple, effective, and doesn’t require much strength, making it a favorite among grapplers of all sizes. Let’s break down this awesome technique and show you how to master it!
What Makes the Rear Naked Choke So Special?
The rear naked choke is a clever technique because it takes advantage of the neck's vulnerability. Unlike other parts of the body, the neck is hard to defend once the choke is locked in. For example, someone can fight off an armbar by using their strength, but with a rear naked choke, there's no easy escape. Once it’s tight, it's game over.
The rear naked choke is usually applied from the back mount position, which is like having the high ground in a fight. When you're on someone's back, they can't see you, making it tough for them to defend against your attacks. This is why the back mount is considered the best position in BJJ.
Perfecting Your Rear Naked Choke
To get good at the rear naked choke, you need to know how to get to and stay on your opponent’s back. Here are some tips to help you out:
Taking the Back
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There are several ways to take someone’s back, and here are a couple of cool methods:
From Closed Guard: Watch how BJJ legend Roger Gracie moves around his opponent’s body to take the back.
No-Gi Back Take: Check out Marcelo Garcia’s arm drag technique, which he used to dominate during his career.
Staying in Control
In BJJ, we say “position before submission,” meaning you need to secure a good position before trying to finish the fight. Here’s how to maintain control from the back mount:
Upper Body Control: Use a seatbelt grip (one arm over the shoulder and one under the armpit) to hold the upper body tight.
Lower Body Control: Press your calves against the front of their thighs and hook your heels into their legs to control their lower body.
Locking in the Choke
Once you’ve got the back mount and control, it’s time to go for the choke:
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Position Your Arm: From the back mount, grip your opponent’s opposite shoulder with your top hand, passing this arm under their neck.
Clasp Hands: Pull your bottom arm from under their armpit and clasp your hands together. Use your non-choking arm for extra control.
Defend the Choke: If your opponent tries to remove your choking arm, quickly reestablish your grip on their shoulder and use your other hand to remove their hand from your arm. Do this fast to catch them off guard.
Secure the Grip: Re-clasp your hands with little space around their neck, making it hard for them to grab your forearm.
Finish the Choke: Place your non-choking hand behind their neck, lock it in place, and put your left hand on your right bicep. Squeeze your arms together and lean forward. For extra pressure, extend your legs and arch your back to tighten the choke around their neck.
A Fun Historical Fact: Arrhichion's Legendary Victory
Let's take a trip back to ancient Greece for a moment. Arrhichion was a pankration champion at the 52nd and 53rd Olympiads (572 BC and 568 BC). Pankration was an ancient martial art combining boxing, wrestling, and techniques like kicking, holds, joint-locks, and chokes, much like modern MMA.
Arrhichion's final fight is legendary. As described by the geographer Pausanias, Arrhichion was caught in a choke hold during his final match. Despite being suffocated, Arrhichion managed to dislocate his opponent's toe, causing such intense pain that his opponent surrendered. Tragically, Arrhichion died from the choke, but because his opponent conceded, Arrhichion was declared the victor posthumously and crowned with the olive wreath of victory.
Let's Roll!
To develop a killer rear naked choke, focus on getting and maintaining the back mount first. Be ready to counter your opponent’s defenses and follow these steps to make your choke unbeatable. With practice, you’ll have a rear naked choke that’s tough to escape, making you a force to be reckoned with in BJJ, self-defense, and MMA.
So, get out there and start practicing! If you want to learn more, you can check out our type: entry-hyperlink id: 4X90LgAga8YpyXU6lkQnJx. With these tips, you'll be choking out opponents left and right in no time.
