SAFETY: Rear Naked Choke from Invisible Collar targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Loss of consciousness from bilateral carotid compression. Release immediately upon tap.
Attacking with the Rear Naked Choke from Invisible Collar requires mastering the timing of the collar-to-RNC switch. The critical skill is reading when your opponent’s hands are maximally committed to collar defense, then executing a seamless release-and-thread that bypasses their chin before they can redirect their hands to neck protection. This technique rewards patience during the collar phase and explosive precision during the transition window. Your supporting arm must maintain seatbelt structure throughout to prevent escape during the critical moment when your choking arm is in transit between collar and neck. The entire sequence depends on making the collar threat genuine enough to demand two-handed defense, then capitalizing on the opening that defense creates.
From Position: Invisible Collar (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Rear Naked Choke from Invisible Collar?
- Make the collar threat genuinely dangerous before attempting the RNC switch to force committed two-handed defense
- Time the transition for the exact moment both opponent hands are engaged on your collar wrist and forearm
- Maintain seatbelt control with the non-collar arm throughout the entire transition to preserve back control
- Execute the release-and-thread as one continuous fluid motion rather than two separate actions
- Keep hooks active and controlling during the upper body transition to prevent hip escape
- Apply finishing pressure progressively through bilateral carotid compression, never across the trachea
- Chain between collar deepening and RNC attempts to create an unsolvable dilemma cycle
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Rear Naked Choke from Invisible Collar?
- Established back control with at least one deep hook and chest connected to opponent’s upper back
- Invisible collar grip deep enough that opponent perceives it as a genuine finishing threat requiring two-handed defense
- Seatbelt or underhook control maintained by the non-collar arm to preserve position during transition
- Opponent’s defensive hands both engaged on the collar grip rather than protecting the neck
- Body positioning with hips slightly below opponent’s to prevent rolling escape during the switch
Execution Steps
How do you execute Rear Naked Choke from Invisible Collar step by step?
- Establish Invisible Collar: Secure back control with hooks and seatbelt grip, then gradually walk your over-hook hand into the collar material. Make the grip appear positional rather than threatening to avoid triggering early defensive responses from your opponent. Achieve finger penetration deep enough to apply credible choking pressure. (Timing: 15-30 seconds of gradual grip establishment)
- Deepen Collar Threat: Incrementally increase collar grip depth by driving fingers deeper into the gi material during moments when your opponent focuses on hook defense or other threats. Apply periodic squeezing pressure to demonstrate genuine finishing potential and force your opponent to perceive the collar as the primary danger requiring immediate attention. (Timing: 10-20 seconds of intermittent pressure)
- Bait Two-Handed Defense: Continue applying intermittent collar pressure until your opponent commits both hands to removing the grip. Monitor their hand positioning carefully and confirm that both hands are fully engaged on your collar wrist and forearm before initiating the transition. Their attention must be focused downward on the collar, not on protecting the chin. (Timing: Wait for confirmed two-handed commitment)
- Release and Thread Choking Arm: In one fluid motion, release the collar grip and immediately thread your forearm beneath your opponent’s chin from the collar side. The blade of your forearm should slide along the side of the neck with your hand reaching toward the opposite shoulder. Their hands remain occupied where the collar grip was, creating a 1-2 second window of unprotected neck access. (Timing: 1-2 seconds, must be one continuous motion)
- Secure Figure-Four Lock: Connect your choking hand to your opposite bicep to establish the figure-four configuration behind the opponent’s head. Place your locking hand palm-forward against the back of the skull. This connection must be completed before the opponent can redirect their hands from the abandoned collar grip to the new choking arm threat around their neck. (Timing: Immediate, within 1 second of threading)
- Apply Bilateral Compression: Squeeze your elbows together while expanding your chest to create compression on both carotid arteries simultaneously. Drive the back of your opponent’s head forward with your locking hand while pulling your choking elbow toward your own ribcage. Maintain hook control and chest-to-back connection throughout the finishing sequence to prevent last-moment escape attempts. (Timing: 3-5 seconds of progressive pressure in training)
- Complete and Release: Maintain steady progressive pressure until your opponent taps or the referee stops the match. The blood choke should produce a tap within 5-8 seconds of full compression when properly applied. Release immediately upon any tap signal, remove hooks, and guide your partner to a side-lying recovery position. Monitor their consciousness and breathing for 30 seconds after release. (Timing: Immediate release upon tap signal)
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 65% |
| Failure | Invisible Collar | 23% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 12% |
Opponent Defenses
How might your opponent defend against Rear Naked Choke from Invisible Collar?
- Opponent strips collar grip early before committing both hands, keeping one hand at the chin (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Continue deepening the collar grip with more incremental pressure rather than switching. The goal is to make the collar threat severe enough that one-handed defense is insufficient, forcing them to eventually commit the second hand. → Leads to Invisible Collar
- Opponent tucks chin aggressively when feeling the collar release, blocking the forearm path (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use the collar drag variation by pulling upward on the collar before releasing to lift the chin. Alternatively, thread the arm across the chin and use the forearm to pry it open, or switch to a short choke by grabbing your own wrist for a tighter circumference. → Leads to Invisible Collar
- Opponent turns into the attacker and drops hooks during the transition window to escape back control (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Maintain chest-to-back connection and use your seatbelt arm to follow their rotation. If they turn far enough, transition to crucifix or follow to mount rather than forcing the RNC. A body triangle before the switch eliminates this escape entirely. → Leads to Closed Guard
- Opponent grabs choking wrist with both hands after it threads under the chin, preventing figure-four lock (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Use your free hand to peel their grip finger by finger from your wrist, or switch to a palm-to-palm short choke that does not require the figure-four. Their hands on your wrist actually helps the choke if you can connect the lock because they pull the arm tighter against their own neck. → Leads to Invisible Collar