The Rear Naked Choke is the highest-percentage submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, executed from back control by encircling the opponent’s neck with your choking arm and applying bilateral pressure to the carotid arteries. This blood choke renders opponents unconscious within seconds when properly applied, making it the preferred finishing technique from the back position in both gi and no-gi competition.
The technique’s effectiveness stems from its mechanical simplicity combined with the dominant positional advantage of back control. Your opponent cannot see your attacks, has limited defensive options, and faces immediate danger once your arm passes their chin line. The rear naked choke works equally well against larger opponents because it relies on arterial compression rather than strength, requiring proper arm placement and squeeze mechanics rather than pure power.
Strategically, the rear naked choke serves as the primary threat from back control, forcing opponents to defend their neck continuously. This defensive commitment creates opportunities for alternative attacks including armbar variations, bow and arrow choke, and crucifix transitions. The submission’s reliability across all experience levels makes it a foundational technique that every practitioner must master both offensively and defensively.
From Position: Back Control (Top) Success Rate: 58%
Possible Outcomes
| Result | Position | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Success | game-over | 58% |
| Failure | Back Control | 30% |
| Counter | Turtle | 12% |
Attacker vs Defender
| Attacker | Defender | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Execute technique | Prevent or counter |
| Key Principles | Chin line clearance is the critical entry point - your choki… | Neck defense always takes absolute priority over escape atte… |
| Options | 7 execution steps | 4 defensive options |
Playing as Attacker
Key Principles
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Chin line clearance is the critical entry point - your choking arm must pass under the chin to reach the neck, making this the primary battle in the technique
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Blade of the forearm contacts the throat, with the bicep and forearm creating a V-shape that compresses both carotid arteries simultaneously
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Head position behind opponent’s head prevents them from turning into you and creates the wedge pressure needed for the squeeze
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The non-choking hand assists by controlling opponent’s defensive hand, securing the choke grip, or blocking escape attempts
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Chest expansion and shoulder squeeze generate finishing pressure rather than arm strength alone
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Maintaining hooks or body triangle throughout the choke attempt prevents opponent from creating escape angles
Execution Steps
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Secure seatbelt control: From back control, establish harness grip with one arm over opponent’s shoulder and one under their …
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Initiate hand fighting sequence: Begin systematic hand fighting to isolate or occupy opponent’s defensive hands. Use your underhook h…
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Clear the chin: Use your hand fighting techniques to create an opening past opponent’s chin. Walk your fingers up th…
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Set the choking arm: Slide your forearm across the throat until the blade of your forearm (radius bone) contacts the trac…
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Position your head: Place your head tight behind opponent’s head on the choking arm side, using your temple against the …
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Secure the figure-four grip: Bring your non-choking hand to the bicep of your choking arm, gripping tightly. Place the choking ha…
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Apply the squeeze: Expand your chest, pull your elbows back toward your body, and squeeze your shoulders together while…
Common Mistakes
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Choking arm positioned too high on the neck with bicep pressing against the jaw rather than the carotid
- Consequence: Creates a jaw crush or air choke that is uncomfortable but not fight-ending, allowing opponent extended time to escape
- Correction: Ensure your elbow is directly under their chin with the blade of your forearm on the trachea and bicep/forearm V-shape around the neck arteries
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Attempting to muscle the choke using arm strength rather than proper body mechanics
- Consequence: Rapid forearm fatigue without completing the submission, plus loosening of grip that creates escape opportunities
- Correction: Generate pressure through chest expansion, shoulder squeeze, and back engagement while keeping arms relatively relaxed until the final squeeze
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Head positioned beside opponent’s head instead of directly behind it
- Consequence: Opponent can turn their head toward you and begin rotation to escape, reducing choke pressure significantly
- Correction: Drive your head tight behind theirs using your temple against their skull, creating the wedge that prevents rotation and amplifies pressure
Playing as Defender
Key Principles
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Neck defense always takes absolute priority over escape attempts - your hands must protect the neck before addressing hooks or attempting to turn
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Two-on-one grip control on the choking wrist is the primary defensive mechanism, using both hands to prevent the arm from reaching depth across your throat
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Chin tucked aggressively to chest creates a physical barrier that the choking forearm must overcome before reaching the carotid arteries
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Shoulders tight and rounded forward reduce available space around the neck and make it harder for the attacker to thread their arm through
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Defensive hand position must stay high near the collarbones and chin - hands that drift below the chest leave the neck exposed to immediate attack
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Escape timing synchronizes with the attacker’s offensive commitment, using their weight shifts during choke attempts as windows to create hip movement
Recognition Cues
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Opponent’s overhook arm begins walking fingers up your chest toward your chin, indicating the start of a choke entry attempt
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Seatbelt grip shifts as opponent releases the clasp and their overhook hand separates to attack the neck independently
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Increased chest-to-back pressure and head drive behind your skull signals the attacker is committing to the choke position
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Opponent’s free hand begins controlling your wrist or peeling your defensive grip, indicating they are setting up the choking arm path
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Body triangle tightens or hook pressure increases simultaneously with upper body adjustment, signaling a coordinated choke attempt
Defensive Options
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Two-on-one wrist control - grab the choking wrist with both hands and pull it down to your chest while tucking your chin aggressively - When: Immediately when you feel the opponent’s arm begin to move toward your neck from the seatbelt position, before the forearm clears your chin line
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Hip escape to turtle - strip the bottom hook by kicking your leg free while maintaining neck defense, then turn to turtle position - When: After successfully neutralizing the immediate choke threat through two-on-one control, when you can safely address hooks without exposing the neck
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Turn into opponent - rotate your shoulders toward the choking arm side while framing on their hip, working to face them and establish guard - When: When opponent’s hook control is compromised or when they overcommit to the choke by loosening their leg control to focus on the upper body attack
Position Integration
The Rear Naked Choke is the primary submission threat from back control and the foundation of the back attack system. Its constant threat forces opponents to commit defensive resources to neck protection, which creates opportunities for armbar attacks, bow and arrow choke, crucifix transitions, and body triangle applications. The technique integrates with the back control position as the finishing mechanism of a positional hierarchy that begins with back takes from mount, side control, turtle, and guard positions. Mastering the RNC makes your entire back attack game more dangerous because opponents cannot ignore the choke threat to defend other attacks. The submission also serves as the reference point for back control defense training - understanding how to finish the choke informs the defensive tactics needed to survive and escape the position.