The rear naked choke is a jiu jitsu choke applied from behind, where one arm wraps around the partner’s neck and the other arm locks it in place, squeezing the sides of the neck until they tap. It’s taught from back control, finished slowly in class, and released the instant your partner taps.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the seven martial arts I’ve trained over more than 20 years. I’ve taught beginner boxing and Wing Chun classes, but not BJJ, so this is an explainer to help you understand what your coach teaches, never a substitute for learning it on the mat.
- It’s a blood choke, not an air choke. The pressure goes on the sides of the neck, which is why it works quickly and why it demands respect.
- Back control comes first. Without a solid position behind your partner, the choke rarely works and often slips into the jaw.
- Slow finish, fast release. You apply pressure gradually and let go completely the moment you feel or hear a tap.
- Tap early when it’s on you. Tap as soon as the arm is under your chin and you can’t clear it, well before you feel dizzy.
- Class only, never friends or family. Chokes are never practiced on untrained people, at home or as a joke.
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What Is a Rear Naked Choke?
The name comes from two simple facts: it’s applied from the rear, and it doesn’t need a gi or any clothing to work, so it’s naked. You’ll also see it written as RNC, and in judo it’s called hadaka jime, which means naked strangle.
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It’s one of the most fundamental submissions in grappling. Most BJJ students learn it in their first months, and it shows up in judo, wrestling based grappling and MMA.
How the Rear Naked Choke Works
When the choke is applied correctly, the forearm and the biceps press on both sides of the neck, where the carotid arteries carry blood to the brain. The windpipe sits in the gap at the crook of the elbow, so it isn’t the main target.
Because blood flow is reduced quickly, a person who doesn’t tap can lose consciousness within seconds. That’s the single most important fact in this article. It’s why coaches are strict about the finish, the tap and the release, and why this technique belongs in a supervised room.
Rear Naked Choke in Jiu Jitsu: The Setup
The choke starts from back control, one of the strongest positions in BJJ. If the positions are new to you, my guide to BJJ basics for beginners covers them.
Back Control and the Seatbelt
From behind your partner, you take a seatbelt grip: one arm over their shoulder and one under the opposite armpit, hands clasped at their chest. Your heels sit inside their thighs as hooks. This keeps you attached while they move.
Getting the Arm Under the Chin
The arm over the shoulder becomes the choking arm. The challenge is sliding it under the chin, since your partner will tuck and hand fight. Coaches teach patience here: control the hands, keep your chest tight to their back, and wait for the opening rather than forcing your forearm across the jaw.
Applying It Safely in Class
Here’s the general sequence your coach will show you. They’ll adjust the details for your body and your partner’s.
- Secure back control. Seatbelt grip, chest tight, hooks in.
- Slide the choking arm under the chin. The crook of your elbow lines up under your partner’s chin.
- Lock the grip. Your choking hand grabs your other biceps, and your other hand goes behind their head or onto their shoulder.
- Bring your elbows together slowly. The pressure comes from squeezing your elbows in and keeping your chest tight, not from cranking with strength.
- Wait for the tap. Watch, listen and feel for a tap on you, on the mat, or a verbal tap.
- Release completely, immediately. Open your arms and let go as soon as your partner taps. Don’t hold on for an extra second.
If the arm ends up across the jaw instead of the neck, don’t squeeze harder to make it work. That turns into a painful jaw crank. Reset and try again.
Partner Safety Rules
These rules aren’t optional. Good academies enforce all of them, and you should follow them in every round.
- Tap early. Tap once the choke is in place and you can’t clear it, before you feel any lightheadedness.
- Release immediately. A tap means let go, no matter what round it is or how hard you worked for the position.
- Finish at drill speed. In drills, apply light pressure only. In live rolling, still apply it gradually.
- Use verbal taps. If your hands are trapped, say tap clearly, and listen for your partner’s.
- Tell your coach if something’s wrong. If a partner ever feels faint, stop and get the coach right away.
- Never on untrained people. Not on friends, partners, siblings or roommates, not gently, and not as a joke.
Rear Naked Choke Defense
Defense starts long before the arm is under your chin. Your coach will teach these concepts in controlled drills.
Protect the Neck
Keep your chin tucked toward your chest and your hands near your collar line. The choke needs the neck, so your first job is to deny it.
Hand Fight
Use both hands on the choking arm’s wrist and pull it down, often called a two on one. Two hands against one gives you a real chance of keeping the arm off your neck.
Keep Your Back Off Their Chest
The tighter their chest is to your back, the stronger the choke. Turning slightly and creating small gaps makes their job harder.
How to Escape a RNC
Once you’re defending well, the next step is getting out. The general idea taught in many academies:
- Defend the hands first. Keep the choking arm off your neck with a two on one grip.
- Work your shoulders to the mat. Slide your hips and shoulders down so your back moves toward the mat, often toward the side of the choking arm.
- Clear a hook. Free one of your legs from their hooks so you can turn.
- Turn to face them. Once your back is on the mat and the hooks are cleared, turn in toward your partner and rebuild guard or come up on top.
If the choke is already locked and tight, tap. The escape is something you drill, not something you test against a finished choke.
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Read My Honest Review →Rear Naked Choke in the UFC
The rear naked choke is one of the most common submission finishes in MMA, and you’ll see it often in the UFC. In those fights, it usually comes after strikes create a scramble and one fighter takes the back.
That context is useful. Elite fighters drill it for years with careful partners, and referees step in quickly when it’s locked. It doesn’t mean it’s a casual move to try outside a gym. If you’re curious how grappling holds up for self defense more generally, my honest take on whether BJJ is effective covers it.
The RNC at a Glance
| Stage | Focus | What to Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Back control | Seatbelt grip, chest tight, hooks in |
| Setup | Under chin | Patience and hand control, no forcing across the jaw |
| Finish | Slow squeeze | Elbows together gradually, never a sudden crank |
| Tap | Early | Tap before any dizziness, verbal tap counts |
| Release | Immediate | Let go completely the moment you feel a tap |
| Defense | Hands, chin | Two on one, chin tucked, shoulders to the mat |
Your This-Week Plan
- Day 1: Read your academy’s safety rules and ask your coach how they introduce chokes to beginners.
- Day 3: In class, drill the seatbelt and back control position without any choke, just staying attached.
- Day 5: Drill the rear naked choke at light pressure with a cooperative partner, focusing on the tap and the release.
- Day 7: Drill hand fighting and the back escape with your coach watching.
Quick Questions
Is the Rear Naked Choke Dangerous?
It can be. Done roughly or held after a tap, it can cause unconsciousness within seconds. In a supervised class with early taps and immediate releases, it is drilled safely every day.
When Should I Tap to a Rear Naked Choke?
Tap as soon as the arm is under your chin and you cannot clear it. Do not wait for dizziness, and use a verbal tap if your hands are trapped.
Can I Practice the Rear Naked Choke at Home?
No. Practice the seatbelt, hand fighting and escape movements in class, and keep chokes inside the academy with trained partners and a coach present.
Is the Rear Naked Choke Good for Self Defense?
Escaping and getting away is the goal in self defense, not finishing a choke. Self defense laws vary by location, and applying a choke outside a gym can seriously injure someone.
More from this series: start with my martial arts for beginners guide for the full overview, and see the armbar from guard for the same safety habits applied to a joint lock.
The Bottom Line
The rear naked choke is a simple, powerful jiu jitsu technique: take the back, slide the arm under the chin, and bring your elbows together slowly. Treat it with respect. Tap early, release instantly, and keep it in class with a coach. If you’re just starting, my first BJJ class guide shows what to expect.
I’m a certified personal trainer and martial artist, not a physician or a lawyer, and this is general education only. Chokes can cause blackouts and serious injury, so learn them only with a qualified coach. Self defense laws vary by location. If you have neck, heart or blood pressure concerns, check with your doctor before training BJJ.
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