Become Fighter
The rear-naked choke: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
The standard finish from the back, applied slowly and safely.
The rear-naked choke, or RNC, needs no gi. Your arm wraps round the neck so that the crook of the elbow sits under the chin, your other hand locks behind the head and your chest pushes their head forward into the choke.
It is a blood choke when done properly. It also hurts the neck if cranked. Apply slowly, tap early and release at the first tap, not a second after.
Key points
- Slide the choking arm under the chin until the elbow sits in the centre of the neck.
- Grip your own bicep with the choking hand, and put the other hand behind their head.
- Chest tight to their back with the hooks locked in.
- Squeeze by pulling the elbow back and expanding your chest, not by pulling on the neck.
- Release as soon as your partner taps or pats.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Squeezing the throat. The elbow sits under the chin. Pressure on the windpipe hurts and does not work.
- Pulling the head back. Push it forward with the back hand to close the choke.
- Losing hooks while finishing. Keep hooks and chest tight until the tap.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Back attacks and chains module of Jiu-jitsu foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Back attacks and chains
- Taking the back: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Chaining attacks: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
- Defending the back: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guide
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Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.