1. Objective and Purpose
The Rear Naked Choke (RNC) is one of the most effective submission techniques in MMA. The goal is to choke your opponent by cutting off the blood supply to the brain via the carotid arteries or restricting their airways. This is achieved by wrapping your arm around your opponent’s neck while controlling their back. The RNC is typically applied when you have achieved back control on your opponent, which allows you to secure a dominant position and apply the submission with great leverage and pressure.
2. Steps for Execution of the Rear Naked Choke
- Achieving Back Control
- Take the Back: To execute the rear-naked choke, you first need to secure your opponent’s back. This is usually done by taking the back while standing or after a successful takedown, ensuring you are behind your opponent. This position allows you to control their upper body and head, making it difficult for them to escape.
- Seatbelt Grip: Once on your opponent’s back, establish the “seatbelt” grip—one arm around their torso and the other arm around their neck. Your non-choking arm should go under their arm to control their upper body.
- Positioning Your Choking Arm
- Choking Arm Around the Neck: To start the submission, slip your choking arm around your opponent’s neck. The arm should go around their throat, with your forearm pressing against one side of their neck (near the carotid artery).
- Secure the Choke: Your hand should be placed on the back of their head or neck, depending on your reach. Your choking arm should form a tight “V” shape around their neck, making it harder for them to escape. The other hand then comes to lock the position by grabbing your bicep or wrist.
- Locking the Choke
- Hand Positioning: To fully secure the rear-naked choke, your free hand will either grab the bicep or wrist of the choking arm. Some fighters prefer to lock the choke by grabbing their wrist, while others opt for a “C-grip” with their other hand.
- Squeeze and Apply Pressure: Once your hands are locked, pull your elbows back towards your own body, which will pull the choking arm tighter against their neck. At the same time, use your body weight to drive your chest into their back. Your chin should stay tight against their neck for the choke to work effectively.
- Finishing the Submission
- Increase the Pressure: The choke is finished by continuing to squeeze your arms and engage your core, tightening the submission. This should apply pressure on the carotid arteries, cutting off blood flow to the brain, or restricting airflow to induce unconsciousness.
- Monitor for a Tap: As the choke tightens, the opponent will usually tap on your body or on the mat to indicate that they are submitting. If they don’t tap, the choke will likely cause them to lose consciousness within seconds.
3. Defensive Techniques Against the Rear Naked Choke
- Tuck the Chin
- Chin Tuck: The most important defensive action against the rear-naked choke is tucking your chin down to your chest. This will make it harder for your opponent to secure the choke effectively, as the choke needs to wrap around the neck and throat. By tucking your chin, you limit the space available for the choke to fully lock in.
- Hand Fighting and Grip Fighting
- Fight the Hands: Once your opponent begins to wrap their arm around your neck, immediately use both hands to break their grip. You can push against their wrist or elbow to stop them from locking the choke.
- Control the Choking Arm: Focus on controlling your opponent’s choking arm by pulling their arm away from your neck. Disrupting their grip will reduce the pressure they can apply and prevent them from finishing the submission.
- Improve Your Position
- Escape to a Stronger Position: If you’re caught in the rear-naked choke, try to escape by moving to a more neutral or dominant position. You can attempt to rotate or roll to one side, reducing the leverage your opponent has and opening up potential escapes.
- Spin to the Guard: If the choke isn’t fully locked in and you have the opportunity, you can try to spin into your opponent’s guard, which can help you defend and reset the position.
4. Counter-Defense for the Rear Naked Choke
- Escape from Back Control
- Turn into Your Opponent: A common defense against the rear-naked choke is to attempt to turn towards your opponent. By rotating your body towards them, you can start to break their back control and potentially gain a more dominant position. However, this must be done with caution, as a poorly executed turn could make the choke tighter.
- Use the “Back Door” Escape
- Back Door Escape: Another option when trapped in a rear-naked choke is to perform the “back door” escape. This involves sliding your body to one side and escaping out the bottom, often resulting in a reversal where you end up on top or in side control. This is difficult but effective if performed correctly.
- Flattening Your Opponent
- Flatten Your Body: When your opponent has back control and you are being choked, one method of escaping is to flatten your body out to the mat. By doing this, you minimize the control they have over your upper body and make it harder for them to complete the choke. Flattening out can also help relieve pressure on your neck, allowing you to fight the submission or work for a different escape.
5. Keys to Success
- Positioning: The key to applying a rear-naked choke successfully is achieving and maintaining back control. The better you control your opponent’s upper body, the easier it is to apply the choke and finish it.
- Choke Tightness: A well-secured rear-naked choke relies on proper positioning and pressure. Ensure that your arm is deep around the neck and that your hands are locked in place to maximize pressure.
- Control: Maintaining control of your opponent’s body while executing the choke is crucial. A poorly controlled opponent can escape or defend more effectively, making it harder to finish the submission.
6. Common Mistakes
- Weak Grip: A weak or loose grip will prevent the rear-naked choke from being effective. Make sure that your arms are tight around your opponent’s neck and that your hands are properly locked to finish the submission.
- Improper Chin Tuck: Not tucking your chin properly will allow your opponent to slip the choke in more easily. Always maintain a chin tuck to make the submission more difficult to apply.
- Lack of Back Control: Failing to secure back control before attempting the rear-naked choke can lead to missed opportunities for the submission. If you don’t control your opponent’s back effectively, they may escape or fight off the submission attempt.
The Rear Naked Choke is a dominant and powerful submission in MMA that can be used effectively from back control. It is a technique that requires strong positioning, solid grip strength, and the ability to maintain control over your opponent. By mastering the rear-naked choke, fighters can gain a significant advantage and finish fights quickly and efficiently.