SAFETY: Rear Naked Choke from Mounted Crucifix targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Loss of consciousness from bilateral carotid compression. Release immediately upon tap.
The rear naked choke from mounted crucifix represents one of the highest-percentage finishing positions in all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Unlike the standard RNC from back control where the defender retains both hands to fight grips and protect the neck, the mounted crucifix configuration traps one or both of the opponent’s arms using the attacker’s legs, creating a scenario where the neck is exposed with minimal defensive tools available. This fundamental asymmetry makes the choking arm entry significantly easier and the finishing grip far more secure than from conventional back control.
The mechanics of this finish leverage the mounted position’s gravitational advantage combined with the crucifix’s arm isolation. The attacker threads the choking arm beneath the opponent’s chin while chest-to-chest weight prevents bridging escapes. Because the defender cannot use trapped arms to strip grips or create frames, the attacker can methodically work the choking arm into position without the usual grip fighting that characterizes the RNC from standard back control. The figure-four lock behind the head completes the blood choke structure, compressing both carotid arteries simultaneously.
Strategically, this submission serves as the primary finishing threat from mounted crucifix and the reason opponents desperately attempt arm extraction. The threat of this choke forces defensive errors that open alternative attacks like armbars and transitions to back control. Understanding both the attacking sequence and defensive responses is essential for any serious practitioner working from or defending against this dominant mounted crucifix position.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and jugular veins Starting Position: Mounted Crucifix From Position: Mounted Crucifix (Top) Success Rate: 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness from bilateral carotid compression | High | Immediate to 30 seconds with proper release |
| Trachea damage from improper forearm placement on windpipe | CRITICAL | 2-6 weeks, potential permanent damage |
| Cervical spine strain from neck cranking during application | Medium | 3-7 days |
| Carotid artery dissection from excessive or sudden force | CRITICAL | Immediate medical attention required, weeks to months |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - minimum 3-5 seconds to full pressure in training. Build compression gradually so partner can recognize and tap before consciousness is affected. Never snap or jerk the choking arm into position.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap - saying ‘tap’ or any verbal sound indicating submission
- Physical hand tap on opponent’s body, arm, or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat when hands are unavailable
- Going limp or loss of consciousness - treat as immediate tap
- Any distress signal, gurgling, or unusual sound
Release Protocol:
- Release choking arm immediately upon any tap signal
- Remove all body weight and hooks from opponent
- Guide partner gently to side-lying recovery position
- Monitor consciousness and breathing for at least 30 seconds
- If partner lost consciousness, elevate legs and keep lying down until fully alert
- Never allow a recently choked partner to stand immediately
Training Restrictions:
- Apply choke progressively - never use competition speed in drilling
- Ensure choking arm targets the neck sides, never compress the trachea directly
- Always verify partner has clear tap access with at least one limb
- Stop immediately if partner makes any distress sound or goes limp
- Never hold a choke past the tap under any circumstances
- Beginners should drill grip placement and positioning without applying pressure
Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 65% |
| Failure | Mounted Crucifix | 23% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 12% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute and finish | Escape and survive |
| Key Principles | Maintain mount stability throughout the choking sequence - p… | Chin protection is your absolute first priority - tuck chin … |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Maintain mount stability throughout the choking sequence - positional control must never be sacrificed for the finish
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Thread the choking arm beneath the chin using small angle adjustments rather than forcing past the jawline
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Keep chest weight forward on the opponent’s upper body to prevent bridging escapes during arm placement
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Target the carotid arteries with the blade of your forearm, never compress the trachea directly
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Complete the figure-four grip behind the head before applying squeeze pressure
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Use the opponent’s trapped arm status to your advantage - they cannot effectively grip fight your choking arm
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Squeeze with your entire upper body contracting toward center, not just arm strength
Execution Steps
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Consolidate mounted crucifix control: Settle your weight low through your hips onto the opponent’s midsection. Verify that your legs are s…
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Establish head control with free hand: Place your non-choking hand on the opponent’s forehead or jaw, turning their face away from your cho…
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Thread choking arm beneath the chin: Slide your choking arm under the opponent’s chin with your forearm blade targeting the side of the n…
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Deepen the choking arm to elbow crease position: Walk your choking arm deeper until the opponent’s throat sits in the crook of your elbow. The bicep …
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Secure the figure-four lock behind the head: Bring your free hand behind the opponent’s head and place it on or near your own bicep of the chokin…
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Apply progressive bilateral squeeze: Contract both arms inward toward the center while simultaneously pushing the back of the opponent’s …
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Adjust angle if initial squeeze meets resistance: If the opponent manages any chin defense or the choke feels shallow, micro-adjust by shifting your h…
Common Mistakes
-
Placing the forearm across the trachea instead of the carotid arteries
- Consequence: Creates a windpipe choke that is painful, slow, and risks serious tracheal injury. Opponent may endure significant damage before tapping due to different submission mechanics.
- Correction: Position the blade of the forearm against the side of the neck targeting the carotid artery. The throat should sit in the elbow crease, not against the forearm bone.
-
Abandoning mount weight to reach for the choke with both hands simultaneously
- Consequence: Reduces positional control that makes this choke effective. Opponent gains bridging space and may escape mount entirely during the grip transition.
- Correction: Keep chest pressure heavy on opponent throughout. Move one hand at a time - establish head control first, then thread choking arm while maintaining forward weight.
-
Squeezing the choke before the figure-four grip is fully locked behind the head
- Consequence: Premature squeezing with an incomplete grip wastes energy and allows the opponent to slip the choking arm using their chin or shoulder, creating a scramble opportunity.
- Correction: Complete the full figure-four lock before applying any squeeze pressure. Verify that the bicep, forearm, and locking hand are all properly positioned before compressing.
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Chin protection is your absolute first priority - tuck chin to chest and elevate shoulders toward ears immediately
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Arm extraction must be pursued simultaneously with choke defense, not deferred until after the threat passes
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Time explosive escape attempts to the attacker’s hand transitions when their weight shifts and base is compromised
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Accept inferior positions like turtle or half guard if they allow arm freedom and neck safety
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Conserve energy for critical escape windows rather than continuous ineffective bridging
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Turn toward the choking arm side to reduce leverage rather than away which exposes the neck further
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Tap early in training - this choke from mounted crucifix completes extremely quickly once the grip locks
Recognition Cues
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Opponent’s hand releases positional control and begins moving toward your neck or jawline from mounted crucifix
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Weight shifts forward onto your upper chest as opponent positions for choking arm threading beneath your chin
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Opponent uses free hand to cross-face or turn your head, creating space on one side of the neck
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You feel the forearm bone beginning to slide across the side of your neck below the jawline
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Opponent’s knee pressure on your trapped arm intensifies as they secure the leg trap before committing hands to choke
Escape Paths
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Bridge explosively during attacker’s hand transition to create space, extract trapped arm during the disruption, then work standard mount escape sequences to recover half guard or closed guard
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Use hip rotation to create angle that loosens leg traps, slide trapped arm free incrementally, then establish defensive frames and hip escape to guard recovery
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Accept turtle position from explosive bridge if arms become free during the escape, then immediately work seated guard or guard recovery from turtle before opponent re-establishes control
From Which Positions?
Match Outcome
Successful execution of Rear Naked Choke from Mounted Crucifix leads to → Game Over
All submissions in BJJ ultimately converge to the same terminal state: the match ends when your opponent taps.