Short
Choke
The RNC backup plan that works. Forearm across, palm-to-palm, pull—finish with one arm when the fancy stuff fails.
Forearm Across.
Pull Toward The Elbow.
The Short Choke is exactly what it sounds like—a short, fast strangle. All you need is your forearm across their throat. When the RNC fails, this doesn’t.
Forearm Across
From back control with seatbelt, slide your top arm across their throat. You don’t need to reach all the way to the opposite shoulder like the RNC—just get the forearm on the neck.
Palm-To-Palm
Connect your hands with a palm-to-palm grip over their shoulder. Your other elbow goes behind their back—this creates a strong frame they can’t break.
Pull Across
Don’t squeeze straight—pull your choking arm toward the elbow that’s behind their back. This diagonal pull is what makes the Short Choke so tight.
3 Ways.
Same Finish.
The Short Choke works as a primary attack, a backup, or a setup. It’s the Swiss Army knife of back attacks.
Palm-To-Palm
Finish
The classic setup. Forearm across, palm-to-palm grip, elbow behind their back. Pull diagonally toward the back elbow. Fast, tight, effective.
Failed RNC
Transition
They’re grip fighting your RNC. Instead of battling, switch to the Short Choke. You already have the arm across—just change the grip and finish.
Single Arm
Finish
Yes, you can finish with just the choking arm. Cup their shoulder, squeeze your bicep to your forearm, use your chest to drive the pressure. Dirty but effective.
The
Flash
Finish
The Short Choke is a “flash submission”—it works in an instant. No setup chess, no grip battles. Forearm on neck, connect hands, pull. Done.
-
Back Control First
Start with seatbelt control and hooks. The Short Choke needs back control just like the RNC—you can’t skip this step.
-
Elbow Behind Back
Your free arm’s elbow goes behind their back. This creates the frame that makes the choke impossible to defend. It’s also your pulling direction.
-
Diagonal Pull
Pull toward the elbow behind their back—not straight across. This diagonal direction is what makes the Short Choke tighter than it looks.
3 Mistakes
That Kill Your Short Choke
No Elbow Behind Back
Without your elbow behind their back, they can easily peel your grip apart. The elbow creates the frame AND the direction to pull. Don’t skip it.
Squeezing Straight
The Short Choke isn’t about squeezing straight down. Pull ACROSS, toward the elbow behind their back. The diagonal pull is the secret.
Using It First
The Short Choke works best as a backup or surprise. If you always go for it first, opponents will learn to defend it. Threaten the RNC first, switch to Short Choke when they defend.
4 Setup
Opportunities
The Short Choke shines when other chokes fail. Here’s when to pull the trigger.
RNC Grip Fighting
They’re peeling your RNC grip. Don’t fight—switch to Short Choke. You already have the arm position.
Collar Choke Failed
Gi choke didn’t work? Short Choke doesn’t need the collar. Same back control, different finish.
Arm Can’t Reach
Can’t get your arm all the way to their opposite shoulder? You don’t need to for the Short Choke.
The Endless Loop
RNC → they defend → Collar Choke → they defend → Short Choke. Create an endless loop of threats.
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