The Rear Naked Choke, also known as the RNC, is one of the most effective submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a technique that can be applied from various positions and has been widely used in MMA and self-defense situations. In this post, we will break down the mechanics of the Rear Naked Choke, explain how to set it up, and provide some tips on how to finish the submission.

Mechanics of the Rear Naked Choke

The Rear Naked Choke is a blood choke that targets the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck. When executed correctly, it causes a temporary loss of consciousness by restricting the blood flow to the brain. The choke is typically applied from the back position, but it can also be applied from the mount, side control, or even from the guard.

To apply the Rear Naked Choke, you need to have your opponent’s back. Begin by securing your hooks (legs) around your opponent’s hips to prevent them from escaping. Then, with one arm, you reach over your opponent’s shoulder and under their chin, placing your hand behind their head. Your other arm goes under your opponent’s armpit and across their neck, grabbing your own bicep. From there, you can squeeze your arms together, pushing your elbows into your opponent’s neck to cut off the blood supply to their brain.

Setting up the Rear Naked Choke

The Rear Naked Choke can be set up in various ways, but the most common one is by taking your opponent’s back. You can do this by either escaping from their guard or by taking advantage of a mistake they make. For example, if your opponent exposes their back while trying to escape from the mount or side control, you can take advantage of that and transition to the back position.

Once you have your opponent’s back, you need to secure your hooks, as mentioned earlier. From there, you can work on setting up the Rear Naked Choke. One common way to do this is by trapping your opponent’s arm with your leg and using it to control their posture while you work on getting your arms into position.

Tips for Finishing the Rear Naked Choke

To finish the Rear Naked Choke, you need to make sure that your arm is properly positioned under your opponent’s chin, and your other arm is grabbing your bicep. Once you have the choke locked in, you need to squeeze your arms together to cut off the blood supply to your opponent’s brain.

To increase your chances of finishing the Rear Naked Choke, it’s essential to maintain control of your opponent’s body with your hooks. This will prevent them from escaping or rolling out of the choke. Also, try to keep your head close to your opponent’s head, as this will help you maintain balance and apply pressure more efficiently.

The Rear Naked Choke is a fundamental submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that every practitioner should master. By understanding the mechanics of the choke, knowing how to set it up, and applying the tips mentioned above, you can increase your chances of finishing the submission and dominating your opponents on the mats. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon be able to apply the Rear Naked Choke with ease.