A Rear Naked Choke is a choke-hold that is applied from an opponent’s back. In mixed martial arts there are two different ways to execute the technique; either one of your arms can be used to apply the choke in both cases.
The first rear naked choke method is when the attacker’s arm encircles the opponent’s neck and then grabs his own biceps on the other arm. In the second method, the attacker clasps his hands together instead after encircling the opponent’s neck.
Standing Rear Naked Choke
The rear naked choke is an easy way to submit your opponent, or render them unconscious if necessary. UFC figheters use this move to their advantage. If you are in a street fight do as much as you can to subdue your opponent, if you keep the rear naked choke on for to long you can kill someone via asphyxiation.
Step 1. The first step is to get in position to apply the rear choke.
This is for the right handed fighter, if your left handed just switch around the instructions to suit you. When behind them get your right arm around your opponents neck. Rest the hand of your right arm on the bicep of your left arm.
The left arm then reaches to the back of their head. You have to make sure that you reach far enough down so they can’t reach up and remove your hand.
Step 2. Execute The Rear Naked Choke
Once you are in position and you have your arms wrapped around your opponent in the right place you can execute the choke. As you push the head forward and down with the left arm
pulled up and back into their neck, while you squeeze your right arm tightly to stop their head moving. If you do the two simultaneously the choke is much stronger than just applying pressure to the back of the head.
Blood Choke vs Air Choke
There are two different ways you can do the rear naked choke and therefore produce two different effects. You can either apply the choke into the front of their throat, which stops them from breathing, or you can push their head forward and to the side with your forearm in to the side of the neck while squeezing. This will cut off the blood circulation to their brain. If the choke is done tightly enough and accurately either will stop both blood and breath.
Rear Naked Choke Step by Step
Strengthen Your Choke On Opponent
Even though we will go over how to escape the rear naked choke later on in this post, I’d like to say to those fighters who try to apply the rare choke that it can’t be executed well if you leave holes in the technique. What I mean is some fighter’s can apply the choke but within seconds their opponent is able to escape. Or before they can apply the submission the opponent finds a way to escape. This is because there was no set up for the move first, and also you weren’t in the right position to execute the move.
The absolute way to lock in your choke in is to set it up properly and also when it’s executed wrap your legs around your opponent’s mid section. This will produce an even tighter squeeze; it will suck the air out of him and stop blood flow. Most fighters call this the Python effect and it works like a charm.
How To Defend Against The Rear Naked Choke
The best way not to get choked out is to try and prevent it all together, because if your opponent gets in the right position and manages to lock in
the choke submission he can squeeze the life out of you until you either tap out or become unconscious. Below are steps you can take to avoid getting rare naked choked.
Avoid Turning Your Back – One of the mistakes fighters make is turning their back in a fight. For whatever reason they may turn their back to take a breather and regroup or turn their back because they are afraid to fight. This is an absolute no, no. If you turn your back on the person who you’re supposed to be defending yourself against, he can easily apply the rare naked choke on you.
Prevent Opponent From Locking Choke
If you have managed to turn your back in a fight, or your opponent manages to turn you then be very perceptive of the move he does next. If he reaches his arm around your neck and shoulder reach both hands up immediately and pull down his arm while dropping your weight. This is done to pull his arm away from your neck preventing the choke and also preventing your opponent from pulling you back into a choke.
Keep Chin Down
While lowering his arm and dropping your weight you want to keep your chin down. If your opponent has access to your neck he can apply the choke and squeeze the air out of you. You defend against that by tucking your chin; making your chin touch your chest. This is a solid defense against the rare naked choke. Keep in mind that tucking your chin is not the final solution, but it’s rather a method you use to buy you time to reach your hands up and pull your opponents arm down.
Control Opponents Hands
The main thing you want to do after you break free from the hold is control your attackers hands. This makes it hard for him to try and put another transitional hold on you and even limits his striking attacks.
How to Defend a Rear Naked Choke Video (Youtube)
How to Escape Rear Choke Hold
We’ve spoken about how to defend against the rear naked choke before it is applied to you. Now I will get into how to escape the rear naked choke once it is already on you. Now I need you to keep in mind that if your opponent or attacker has this move locked on you with arms squeezing the air out of you and their legs are wrapped tightly around your mid section in a triangle, it’s fair to say that there is no escape from that and you are going to enjoy the best sleep you’ve had in years 🙂
Below is a video that goes over a few techniques on how to reverse a rear naked choke while on the ground and while standing. Remember once the hold is placed on you you have to think quick because your air supply is limited, so you only have a few seconds before you pass out.
How to Escape a Standing Rear Choke w/ Bas Rutten
Escape from Rear Naked Choke (full lock-up)
So that’s it for the standing rear naked choke; on how to apply one and the many different ways on how to defend against and escape one. Remember that positioning is everything when trying to execute this choke hold. Quick timing and hand movement is the key to getting out of the hold or defending it because if it’s on too deep and you wait to long you are as good as asleep.