November 25, 2023

As a professional Jiu-Jitsu athlete, you have many tools at your disposal to overcome all sorts of adversaries on your way to the top. The human body is your playground, as you’re able to pick and choose any area to land your attack. But when it comes to back takes, the tried and true route to success is the rear naked choke.

Different from other levers and attacks you might employ during a match, chokes do not take individual traits into consideration. After all, Having above-average flexibility isn’t that big of a deal when you can’t breathe. The downside is that landing a choke can be more difficult and taxing on the attacker, so we’ve set aside three essential tips for you to make the most out of your rear naked choke.

Pay attention to the forearm below the chin

There’s an old Jiu-Jiutsu saying that states: «Everything below the eyebrows is a neck». When attempting a rear naked choke, submission by crushing the jaw is also an option when crossface is allowed, but relying on brute force in Jiu-Jitsu might sacrifice too much of your energy. If you’re going with technique over strength, start your RNC by paying attention to the first forearm, which must go under the chin to reach the opponent’s neck. Seeking this path from the side, feiting which of your arms will advance first may be a good strategy to overcome the «hide the neck» instinctive defense.

Hide your hands whenever you can

After your arm is positioned below the chin, both your hands will become the defending athlete’s target. After all, you’ll need both of them to complete the attack. Hide the passed hand behind the adversary’s shoulder and use your opposing hand, which should also be hidden behind said adversary, to reach your own biceps and lock the RNC.

Apply pressure correctly

With one hand on the biceps and the other behind the opponent’s head, it’s now time to put pressure. However, you shouldn’t attempt to crush the trachea by applying force to the front of the neck. The RNC’s goal is not to simply block air but to hamper the blood flow from the body to the head, forcing the opponent to either tap out or pass out. The correct way is to focus on the front diagonals of the neck, using the harder part of the forearm (which aligns with the thumb) to press the veins and arteries of the area. With the right adjustment, you’ll be able to submit your opponent with technique rather than strength.