Rear Naked
Choke
The king of submissions. From back control, the RNC is the highest percentage finish in all of grappling. No gi required.
Under The Chin.
Seal Both Sides.
The RNC is a blood choke, not an air choke. Your bicep compresses one carotid, your forearm compresses the other. When both are sealed, they go to sleep in seconds.
Take The Back
Get behind them with hooks in. Your chest against their back, both legs wrapped around their waist. This is back control—the best position in BJJ.
Arm Under Chin
Fight to get your choking arm under their chin. The crook of your elbow should be at the center of their throat. Bicep on one side, forearm on the other.
Figure-Four Lock
Grab your own bicep with your choking hand. Put your other hand behind their head. Squeeze your elbows together and expand your chest. Done.
3 Finishes.
Same Position.
The position is the same. The finish varies based on their defense and your preference.
Figure-Four
RNC
The textbook version. Choking hand grabs opposite bicep, support hand behind their head. Squeeze elbows together. Clean and effective.
Gable Grip
RNC
Can’t get the figure-four? Use a Gable grip (palm-to-palm) behind their head. Less ideal but works when they’re defending hard.
Over The Face
RNC
They’re tucking their chin? Go over the face anyway. Squeeze across the mouth/nose. They’ll move their chin—or tap from discomfort. Legal in most rulesets.
The
Blood
Choke
The RNC doesn’t crush the windpipe—it cuts blood to the brain. When your bicep and forearm compress both carotid arteries, unconsciousness comes in 4-10 seconds.
-
Elbow At Center
The crook of your elbow should be at the CENTER of their throat. Not off to one side. This positions bicep and forearm on each carotid.
-
Grab Your Bicep
Your choking hand grabs your OTHER arm’s bicep. This locks the choke in place. Don’t grab your wrist—not enough leverage.
-
Push The Head Forward
Your support hand goes behind their head and pushes it forward. This drives their neck INTO the choke. Squeeze elbows together.
3 Mistakes
That Kill Your RNC
Crushing The Windpipe
If your forearm is across their throat, you’re doing an air choke. They can survive for a minute+. Move your elbow to CENTER—bicep and forearm on the sides for a blood choke.
No Hooks
Without hooks, they can turn into you and escape. Get your hooks (feet) inside their thighs BEFORE hunting the choke. Control first, finish second.
Arm Under Armpit
If your choking arm goes under their armpit instead of under their chin, you have nothing. The arm must go UNDER THE CHIN around the neck.
4 Ways
To The Back
The RNC requires back control. Here are the most common ways to get there.
From Turtle
They turtle up. Insert hooks, break them down, flatten them. RNC is right there.
From Side Control
They turn away to escape. Follow them, take the back as they give it to you.
From Guard
Arm drag from guard. They reach, you drag, spin to back. Classic entry.
From Standing
Arm drag or duck-under from standing. Get behind them before hitting the mat.
Related Techniques
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