The Rear Naked Choke is a blood choke applied from behind that wraps a forearm across the throat to compress both carotid arteries, cutting blood flow to the brain and forcing a tap or unconsciousness within seconds.
Safety
Rear Naked Choke targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Primary risk: Loss of consciousness from blood choke. Tap early; release immediately on the tap. Full safety guide ↓
The Rear Naked Choke (RNC) is widely considered the highest-percentage submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts. This blood choke targets the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck, cutting off blood flow to the brain and causing unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds if not released. Unlike air chokes that can take 30+ seconds and cause panic, the RNC is efficient and relatively safe when applied correctly with proper training protocols. The position’s effectiveness stems from the back control position itself - the opponent cannot see you, cannot effectively defend with their arms, and must deal with your body weight and control while their breathing and circulation are compromised. The RNC is the most common submission finish in high-level competition, with statistics showing it accounts for approximately 25-30% of all submission victories in professional MMA and 15-20% in gi BJJ competition. The technique’s universality across gi and no-gi contexts, combined with its mechanical simplicity and high success rate even against larger opponents, makes it an essential technique for all practitioners regardless of style or body type.
What positions can you finish from?
| From Position | Seat | Success | Play as Attacker | Play as Defender |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back Control | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Body Triangle | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Crucifix | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Gift Wrap | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Harness | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Invisible Collar | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Mounted Crucifix | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Rear Triangle | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Russian Cowboy | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Seat Belt Control Back | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Standing Back Control | Top | 65% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Rodeo Ride | Top | 50% | Attack → | Defend → |
| Standing Rear Clinch | Top | 35% | Attack → | Defend → |
Mechanical variations (how the choke is finished)
- Short Choke (Palm on Head): Instead of grabbing your bicep with the back hand, place your palm directly on the back of opponent’s head. Your choking arm’s hand grabs your own wrist behind their head. This variation is faster to apply and useful when opponent is defending their neck heavily with their hands. (When to use: Use when opponent has strong hand fighting and is preventing you from securing the bicep grip. Also effective in scrambles where you need to finish quickly before they escape back control.)
- Body Triangle Rear Naked Choke: Apply the same choke mechanics but with a body triangle instead of hooks for lower body control. Lock your foot behind your opposite knee across their stomach. The body triangle prevents hip escape and makes it impossible for opponent to turn into you while you work for the neck. (When to use: Use when opponent is aggressively defending hooks by clearing them, or when you have a size/flexibility advantage. Particularly effective when opponent is attempting to stand up or roll to escape.)
- Rear Naked Choke from Standing Back Control: Apply the same upper body mechanics while standing with your hooks in on a standing opponent, or with feet on the ground. This is common in MMA and self-defense contexts. The standing variation requires you to pull opponent’s weight backward onto you. (When to use: Use when you take the back from a standing position, in MMA when opponent stands up with you on their back, or in self-defense scenarios. Jump to hooks or drag opponent to ground for better control.)
- High Elbow Rear Naked Choke: Position your choking arm’s elbow higher up, almost level with their ear. This creates a different angle of pressure on the carotid arteries and can be more effective against certain opponent neck types. The finish involves pulling your elbow upward and back rather than straight back. (When to use: Use when opponent has a very thick or muscular neck where standard positioning isn’t creating enough pressure. Also useful when you’re shorter than your opponent and cannot easily position the standard way.)
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness from blood choke | High | Immediate to 30 seconds with proper release |
| Trachea damage from improper forearm placement | CRITICAL | 2-6 weeks, potential permanent damage |
| Neck strain or muscle damage | Medium | 3-7 days |
| Carotid artery injury from excessive force | CRITICAL | Immediate medical attention required |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum in training. Never snap or jerk the choke. Partner should have full awareness of pressure building.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (say ‘tap’ or make any verbal sound)
- Physical hand tap on opponent’s body or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Going limp or loss of consciousness
- Any distress signal or unusual sound
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release choking arm upon tap signal
- Remove hooks and body triangle if present
- Gently guide partner to side-lying recovery position
- Monitor consciousness and breathing for 30 seconds
- If partner was unconscious, keep them lying down until fully alert
- Never allow unconscious partner to stand immediately
Training Restrictions:
- Never use competition speed or intensity in drilling
- Never apply the choke to the trachea or windpipe
- Always ensure partner has clear tap access with both hands
- Stop immediately if partner makes any distress sound
- Never hold a choke past the tap for any reason
- Beginners must practice with extremely slow progression only