Grappling ・ Choke ・ Back control

Rear Naked Choke

A choke applied from behind: wrap your arm around the opponent's neck and compress the carotid arteries. One of the most common finishes in jiu-jitsu and MMA.

Steps

1. Take your opponent's back and control the hips with both hooks (or a body triangle).
2. Slide the choking arm under the chin and line up the crook of your elbow with the front of the throat.
3. With the hand of the choking arm, grab the biceps of your other arm.
4. Place your other hand behind your opponent's head.
5. Expand your chest and draw your elbows in to squeeze both sides of the neck.

Key points

• Squeeze both sides of the neck (the carotid arteries) between the forearm and upper arm. It is not a windpipe crush.
• Keep your head tight beside your opponent's head so there is no space.
• Secure leg control first. Chasing with the arms alone lets them escape.

Defense

• Tuck your chin so the arm cannot get under your neck.
• Grab the choking arm from the outside and peel it off your neck.
• Slide your body to bring your shoulders to the mat and escape the back position.