SAFETY: Rear Naked Choke from Rear Triangle targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Loss of consciousness from blood choke. Release immediately upon tap.
Attacking with the RNC from rear triangle is fundamentally different from a standard back control RNC because your legs are already doing the heavy positional work. The triangle configuration traps one of your opponent’s arms inside the leg structure, which eliminates their most effective defense—the two-on-one grip fight. Both your hands are free to work the choking grip without competing for positional control. Your primary focus shifts from maintaining hooks and seatbelt to threading the choking arm deep under the chin and securing the figure-four grip behind the head. The triangle legs also create a squeezing pressure that compounds the RNC, making the finish come faster and with less energy than a traditional RNC.
From Position: Rear Triangle (Top)
Key Attacking Principles
What are the key principles for executing Rear Naked Choke from Rear Triangle?
- Use the triangle legs for all positional control so both arms can focus exclusively on establishing the choke
- Thread the choking arm deep under the chin before attempting to close the grip—depth determines finishing power
- Squeeze the triangle tighter when the opponent defends the RNC to create a compounding pressure dilemma
- Keep your chest glued to the opponent’s back throughout the finishing sequence to prevent rotation escapes
- Control the opponent’s free arm with your non-choking hand until the moment you lock the figure-four grip
- Apply the choke by expanding your chest and pulling elbows together rather than cranking with arm strength
Prerequisites
What do you need before attempting Rear Naked Choke from Rear Triangle?
- Rear triangle position established with triangle legs locked around opponent’s neck and one trapped arm
- Chest-to-back connection maintained with hips angled toward the trapped arm side
- Opponent’s free arm controlled or at least monitored to prevent defensive gripping
- Choking arm side clear of obstruction with space to thread forearm under the chin
- Triangle lock tight enough that opponent cannot extract the trapped arm during the RNC attempt
Execution Steps
How do you execute Rear Naked Choke from Rear Triangle step by step?
- Secure Triangle Base: Confirm your triangle lock is tight by squeezing knees together and pulling the locking ankle deep into the crook of your knee. Angle your hips toward the trapped arm side. Your opponent’s one arm should be fully immobilized inside the triangle structure before you begin the RNC attack. (Timing: 2-3 seconds)
- Control the Free Arm: Use your non-choking hand to grab your opponent’s free wrist or bicep. Pin it to their body or push it away from their neck to prevent them from establishing a defensive grip under their chin. This control window is critical—once you release it to lock the RNC, they cannot recover defensive grips. (Timing: 1-2 seconds)
- Thread Choking Arm Under Chin: Slide your choking forearm under the opponent’s chin from the trapped-arm side. Drive your wrist bone across the throat line until your elbow is centered directly under their chin. The deeper you thread, the tighter the finish. Use a swimming motion if they tuck their chin—work the hand along the jawline until the forearm passes underneath. (Timing: 2-4 seconds)
- Establish Figure-Four Grip: Release the free-arm control and immediately place that hand on the back of the opponent’s head or your own bicep. Lock the figure-four by gripping your choking arm’s bicep with the supporting hand while the supporting hand presses behind the head. The blade of your forearm should sit across both carotid arteries. (Timing: 1-2 seconds)
- Set Finishing Angle: Pull your elbows tight together while expanding your chest forward into the opponent’s back. Angle your hips slightly to create a twisting pressure that enhances the carotid compression. The triangle legs should simultaneously squeeze tighter to compound the choking effect from the leg pressure with the arm pressure. (Timing: 1-2 seconds)
- Apply Progressive Pressure: Finish the choke by driving your chest into their back while pulling elbows toward each other. Breathe out and expand your torso to increase pressure. Simultaneously tighten the triangle squeeze. The dual compression from arms and legs creates overwhelming pressure on both carotid arteries. Apply slowly in training and wait for the tap. (Timing: 3-5 seconds)
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 65% |
| Failure | Rear Triangle | 23% |
| Counter | Closed Guard | 12% |
Opponent Defenses
How might your opponent defend against Rear Naked Choke from Rear Triangle?
- Opponent tucks chin tightly to block forearm from threading under (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Use a swimming motion along the jawline to work past the chin tuck. Alternatively, squeeze the triangle legs harder to create discomfort that forces them to address the leg choke, momentarily opening the chin defense. → Leads to Rear Triangle
- Opponent uses free hand to grip and fight the choking wrist before it threads under the chin (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Strip the grip using your non-choking hand, then immediately re-thread the choking arm. If the grip fight persists, transition to attacking the free arm with a kimura or switch to finishing the triangle choke with legs only. → Leads to Rear Triangle
- Opponent turns their body toward the choking arm side to relieve pressure and create space (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Follow the rotation with your hips and tighten the triangle squeeze to prevent further turning. Use the rotation to your advantage by extending your hips to finish the triangle choke directly rather than continuing the RNC. → Leads to Rear Triangle
- Opponent bridges and attempts to roll over the non-choking shoulder to escape entirely (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Post with your free hand on the mat to maintain your base. Keep chest pressure on their back and ride the bridge. The triangle lock prevents meaningful positional change from a bridge because their arm and head are trapped in the leg structure. → Leads to Closed Guard