Rear Naked Choke from the Back: Mastering BJJ’s Most Iconic Submission

The rear naked choke is widely considered to be the most iconic submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It’s a highly effective technique that can be used to submit opponents in a variety of combat sports, including BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the rear naked choke from the back and provide you with some tips and techniques for mastering this essential submission.

What is the Rear Naked Choke?

The rear naked choke is a submission hold that is typically applied from the back position. To execute the technique, the practitioner wraps their arm around the opponent’s neck, with the crook of the elbow pressed against one side of the neck and the bicep against the other. The practitioner then grabs their own bicep with their other arm and applies pressure to the opponent’s neck by pulling their elbow down and in towards their chest. The choke is typically applied until the opponent loses consciousness or taps out.

Setting up the position

To execute a rear naked choke, you need to first secure the back position. This means getting behind your opponent and wrapping your legs around their waist, securing both hooks. From here, use your arms to control your opponent’s movements and maintain your position.

The back position is one of the most dominant positions in BJJ, and it is essential to learn how to get there from various positions. For example, you can transition to the back from side control or mount. However, the most common way to get to the back is from the turtle position, which is when your opponent is on all fours, trying to protect themselves from being submitted.

To get to the back from the turtle position, you need to control your opponent’s hips and legs, preventing them from standing up or rolling away. To do this, use your hands to control their hips and your legs to control their legs. From there, slide your knee under their body, and secure the back position by wrapping your legs around their waist.

Transitioning to the grips

Once you have secured the back position, the next step is to transition to the grips. This involves getting your arms into position around your opponent’s neck to apply the choke.

To do this, one arm goes under your opponent’s arm and around their neck, while the other arm goes over their shoulder and around their neck. Your hands should meet at the opposite side of your opponent’s neck, with one hand gripping the bicep of the other arm, and the other hand gripping the back of their head.

The key to getting the grips is to keep your opponent’s head down and away from you, preventing them from defending the choke. You can do this by pulling their head down with your hand or by pushing their head away with your shoulder. Once you have secured the grips, your opponent will be in a very dangerous position, and you can begin to apply the choke.

Squeezing the choke

With your arms in position, it’s time to apply the choke. Squeeze your elbows together, bringing your forearms against your opponent’s neck. To maximize the pressure of the choke, focus on contracting your biceps, pulling your opponent’s head down and creating space for your arms to tighten the choke.

At this point, your opponent will likely be in a lot of discomfort, and they may start to panic. They may try to escape the position or defend the choke by pushing your arms away or grabbing your hands. However, with the right technique and timing, you can maintain your position and apply the choke with increasing pressure until your opponent submits.

Adjusting the position

Even if you have a solid back control and grip, your opponent may still be able to defend or escape the rear naked choke. In this case, you need to make some adjustments to maintain control and secure the submission.

One common adjustment is to shift your body weight to the side of your choking arm. This makes it harder for your opponent to turn into you and escape the choke. You can also use your free hand to push your opponent’s head in the direction of the choke, creating more pressure and making it more difficult for them to defend.

Another adjustment is to reposition your legs. By squeezing your thighs around your opponent’s hips and waist, you limit their mobility and make it harder for them to escape. You can also use your legs to transition to different positions or set up other submissions.

Keep in mind that you need to be fluid and adaptable in your approach. Don’t get stuck trying to force the rear naked choke if it’s not working. Instead, look for openings and opportunities to switch to other submissions or positions.

Finishing the choke

Once you have the position and the grip, it’s time to finish the choke. Squeeze your arms together, putting pressure on your opponent’s neck and cutting off their air supply. You may need to adjust your grip or your position slightly to get the best leverage, but with the right technique and timing, you can finish the choke and secure the submission.

It’s important to note that finishing the choke can take some time, and it’s not always possible to finish it quickly. Your opponent may be fighting back or trying to escape, so you need to be patient and wait for the right opportunity. Be aware of your opponent’s movements and adjust your position and grip accordingly to maintain control and increase the pressure of the choke.

Practice and repetition

Like any technique in BJJ, the rear naked choke requires practice and repetition to master. Make sure you drill the steps and practice them on both sides, so you can execute the choke from either side of your opponent. And remember, the more you practice, the more confident and comfortable you’ll become with the technique.

It’s also important to practice the rear naked choke in different scenarios, such as when your opponent is defending or trying to escape. This will help you become more adaptable and versatile in your application of the technique.

The rear naked choke from the back is a powerful submission that can be applied in a variety of situations in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By mastering the position, the grips, and the squeeze, you can become a threat from the back and force your opponent to defend or submit. With practice and persistence, you can become a skilled practitioner of this iconic submission and take your BJJ game to the next level. Remember, the rear naked choke is not just a technique, it’s a mindset. It requires patience, timing, and precision to execute effectively, and it’s a testament to the beauty and effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Keep practicing, stay humble, and embrace the journey of mastering this iconic submission.