Rear naked choke: finishing from the back
How to finish the rear naked choke from back control: the grip, where your elbow goes, the second hand behind the head, and why a choke that feels tight sometimes doesn't work.
The rear naked choke is one of the most common submissions in grappling and mixed martial arts. Taking the back is the hard part; finishing is about a few details, and most failed chokes miss one of them. In the video above, Stephan Kesting and Richie Yip go through those details.
Train chokes only in class, with a coach watching. Let go the moment your partner taps, and never practise chokes on children without direct supervision.
Where it starts
You’re behind your opponent with back control: chest to their back, hooks in, one arm over their shoulder and the other under their arm (the “seatbelt” grip).
What you’re trying to do
Squeeze the sides of the neck, not the throat. A correct choke presses on the arteries on both sides of the neck and works within seconds. Pressing on the windpipe hurts but often doesn’t finish.
The steps
- From the seatbelt, keep the choking hand protected with your other hand so they can’t grab it.
- Slide the choking arm under their chin until the elbow is in line with the middle of their chin. Their neck is now in the crook of your elbow.
- Grip the biceps of your other arm with your choking hand.
- Bring your second hand behind their head, palm or back of the hand against it.
- Keep your head tight next to theirs, so it’s hard for them to reach your head and hands.
- Squeeze your elbows together and expand your chest. Don’t crank the neck: the pressure comes from the sides.
The most common mistake
The elbow isn’t under the chin. If it’s off to the side, you’re squeezing the jaw or the windpipe, and the choke feels tight but doesn’t finish. Before you squeeze, check that the elbow is in the middle.
The one cue to remember
Elbow under the chin, then squeeze.
Safety
A blood choke works fast, and someone can lose consciousness within seconds. When your partner taps, let go immediately. If you’re caught, tap early; don’t wait for dizziness or changes in your vision.
When not to force it
If they have the chin down and both hands defending, don’t pull at the jaw: that puts unnecessary strain on the jaw and neck and can injure your partner. Keep the back, fight one hand, wait for the chin to come up, or switch to another attack.