Rear Naked Choke Setup

Play as Attacker Play as Defender

The Rear Naked Choke Setup represents the critical transition phase between maintaining back control and securing the highest-percentage submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This technique encompasses the systematic process of breaking down your opponent’s defensive hand fighting, inserting your choking arm beneath their chin, and establishing the figure-four grip configuration that enables the finishing squeeze. Unlike many submission setups that expose you to counters, the RNC setup maintains dominant positional control throughout the sequence, making it exceptionally safe relative to its finishing potential.

The setup phase is arguably more important than the finish itself, as experienced grapplers rarely submit to a rear naked choke once it’s fully locked—they tap during the setup when they recognize the position is compromised. Understanding the mechanical principles of arm insertion, grip fighting, and angle creation allows you to systematically dismantle even the most stubborn neck defenses. The technique requires patience, precision in hand placement, and the ability to maintain chest-to-back pressure while manipulating your opponent’s defensive structures.

From a strategic perspective, the RNC setup integrates seamlessly with other back control attacks. Opponents who successfully defend the choke often expose themselves to arm attacks, bow and arrow choke entries, or crucifix transitions. This creates a dilemma-based attack system where defending one threat opens another, making the RNC setup not just a submission path but a positional control tool that forces reactions you can exploit.

From Position: Back Control (Top) Success Rate: 65%

Possible Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	Harness	55%
Failure	Back Control	30%
Counter	Turtle	15%

Attacker vs Defender

	Attacker	Defender
Focus	Execute technique	Prevent or counter
Key Principles	Maintain constant chest-to-back pressure throughout the setu…	Two-on-one control of the choking arm is your primary defens…
Options	8 execution steps	4 defensive options

Playing as Attacker

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Key Principles

• Maintain constant chest-to-back pressure throughout the setup to prevent opponent from creating escape space or turning to face you

• Control the choking-side shoulder before attempting arm insertion by pulling it back with your harness grip to expose the neck

• Use your non-choking hand to strip opponent’s defensive grips before committing your choking arm beneath the chin

• Insert the choking arm palm-down along the carotid, keeping your elbow tight to prevent opponent from trapping your arm

• Create the figure-four grip by placing your choking hand on your opposite bicep, not behind the head initially

• Use angle changes and hip movement to open the neck when opponent maintains strong chin defense

• Prioritize grip depth over speed—a shallow choke can be defended, while a deep choke finishes consistently

Execution Steps

• Secure harness control: From back control, establish the seatbelt grip with your choking arm over the opponent’s shoulder an…

• Strip defensive grips: Use your non-choking hand to systematically peel away your opponent’s defensive grips. Target the ha…

• Create angle for insertion: Shift your hips slightly to the choking side while pulling opponent’s far shoulder toward you with t…

• Insert choking arm: Slide your choking arm under the opponent’s chin with your palm facing down toward their chest. Keep…

• Establish figure-four grip: Once your choking arm is beneath the chin, place your choking hand on your opposite bicep (not behin…

• Adjust depth and position: Walk your choking arm deeper if initial insertion was shallow by rotating your shoulder forward and …

• Secure head control: Place your non-choking hand firmly behind the opponent’s head or on their crown, pressing their head…

• Initiate finishing pressure: Expand your chest by pulling your shoulders back while simultaneously squeezing your elbows together…

Common Mistakes

• Inserting the choking arm with palm facing up or elbow flared away from your body

  • Consequence: Opponent easily traps your arm by bringing their chin down and securing two-on-one grip, stalling your attack and potentially allowing escape
  • Correction: Always insert palm-down with elbow glued tight to your ribs. The palm-down orientation keeps your elbow close and makes the arm much harder to trap or control

• Rushing the arm insertion before stripping opponent’s defensive grips

  • Consequence: Your choking arm gets caught in a stalemate with their defending hands, burning energy in a grip fight while your position gradually deteriorates
  • Correction: Systematically strip grips with your free hand before committing your choking arm. A clean insertion to an undefended neck finishes far more reliably than fighting through defenses

• Placing the non-choking hand behind the head before the choking arm is fully inserted

  • Consequence: You lose the ability to strip grips or control opponent’s defending arm, making it nearly impossible to get your choking arm deep enough to finish
  • Correction: Keep your non-choking hand active for grip stripping until your choking arm is beneath the chin with good depth. Only then complete the figure-four by placing hand behind head

Playing as Defender

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Key Principles

• Two-on-one control of the choking arm is your primary defense—never voluntarily release this grip to address secondary threats like hooks

• Tuck your chin tightly to your chest and raise your shoulder on the choking side to create a physical barrier against arm insertion

• Fight the hands before fighting the position—neutralizing the choke threat buys time for positional escapes

• Turn toward the underhook side when creating escape angles, as this disrupts the attacker’s alignment and opens hip escape pathways

• Monitor the attacker’s weight distribution through tactile awareness—shifts in pressure signal transitions between grip stripping and arm insertion

• Maintain controlled breathing and avoid panic—frantic movements burn energy and create openings the attacker exploits for arm insertion

Recognition Cues

• Attacker releases their clasped seatbelt grip and begins isolating your defending hand with their non-choking arm, indicating they are transitioning from control to active choke setup

• You feel the attacker’s hips shift to one side while their chest pressure increases on the opposite shoulder, signaling an angle change designed to expose your neck on the choking side

• The attacker’s choking-side forearm begins sliding along your collarbone or jaw line rather than maintaining the static over-shoulder harness position, indicating imminent arm insertion attempt

• Attacker uses their hook or leg to trap your defending arm against your body, removing your hand from the neck defense equation before attempting insertion

• You feel increased forward head pressure from the attacker combined with their free hand cupping your forehead or pushing your chin upward, indicating they are creating space for the choking arm to slide beneath

Defensive Options

• Establish and maintain two-on-one grip control on the choking arm, gripping the wrist with one hand and the forearm or tricep with the other, pulling the arm down toward your chest while tucking your chin - When: Immediately when you recognize the attacker is transitioning from harness control to active choke setup—this is your first and highest-priority defense

• Hip escape toward the underhook side while maintaining chin tuck and hand fighting, sliding your hips away to create an angle that disrupts the attacker’s chest-to-back connection - When: When the attacker commits both hands to the choke setup and momentarily loosens their hook pressure or body triangle control during the insertion attempt

• Bridge explosively toward the choking side and rotate your body to face the attacker, driving your near shoulder into their chest while clearing the bottom hook - When: When the attacker’s arm is partially inserted but not yet locked in figure-four—this is your last high-percentage window before the choke is secured

Variations

Short Choke (Gable Grip Finish): When you cannot get your hand to your bicep, clasp a Gable grip (palm-to-palm) with both hands on the same side of opponent’s neck. Squeeze inward while pulling opponent’s head down with the combined grip. Less mechanically efficient but useful when traditional figure-four is blocked. (When to use: When opponent successfully defends the figure-four but you have arm beneath chin with shallow depth)

Sliding Collar Tie Entry: Instead of stripping grips with your free hand, use a sliding motion where your choking forearm traces along opponent’s collar bone and slides beneath their chin in one continuous motion. The free hand simultaneously controls their defending wrist by pinning it to their hip. (When to use: Against opponents with extremely fast hand fighting who strip your grip attempts before you can clear their defenses)

Trap Arm Variation: Use your leg hook to trap opponent’s defending arm before attempting the choke setup. Overhook their wrist with your foot and pull their arm down, immobilizing it against their body. This eliminates their primary defense and allows clean insertion. (When to use: When opponent relies heavily on two-on-one grip defense and you cannot strip their hands effectively)

Standing RNC Setup: From standing back control, apply the same mechanics but with modified weight distribution. Keep your hips lower than theirs, maintain forward pressure through your chest, and use the threat of a takedown to distract from your choking arm insertion. (When to use: When you have standing back control and opponent resists going to the ground or you want to finish without giving up position)

Position Integration

The Rear Naked Choke Setup is the primary submission pathway from back control, representing the culmination of the back attack hierarchy. It integrates with the complete back control system through dilemma-based sequencing: opponents who defend the RNC expose themselves to arm attacks, bow and arrow entries (in gi), and crucifix transitions. The setup phase itself serves as a positional control tool, as the threat of the choke forces defensive reactions that can be exploited for transitions to crucifix, gift wrap, body triangle, or mounted positions. Understanding the RNC setup is essential for making all other back attacks effective, as opponents who do not respect the choke threat can be finished directly, while those who over-commit to choke defense open alternative pathways.

Related Techniques

• Back Control - Starting position and foundation for the RNC setup sequence

• Rear Naked Choke - Finishing submission that follows successful setup

• Armbar from Back - Alternative attack when opponent defends neck with both arms

• Bow and Arrow Choke - Gi alternative when RNC is defended but collar is available

• Crucifix - Transition target when you trap opponent’s defending arm

• Body Triangle - Control variation that enhances RNC setup stability

• Gift Wrap - Arm control position used to eliminate defensive grips

• Hand Fighting from Back - Defensive technique opponent uses against the setup

• Back Door Escape - Escape system opponent employs if setup is delayed

• Harness - Grip configuration that initiates the setup sequence and represents successful choke control

• Turtle - Position opponent may recover to if setup fails