{"slug":"rear-naked-choke","name":"Rear Naked Choke","aliases":["RNC","mata leão","hadaka jime","rear strangle"],"category":"submission","format":"both","level":"fundamental","summary":"A high-percentage rear strangle that uses an arm around the neck while the attacker controls the opponent from behind.","overview":["The rear naked choke is the signature submission from back control. The attack uses the choking arm and supporting hand as a compact frame around the neck while the rest of the body prevents the defender from turning to face the attacker.","Its reliability comes from position: the attacker can use both arms offensively while the defender must address the neck, hips, and shoulder line. Effective sequences prioritize hand fighting and back retention before tightening the finish."],"keyPrinciples":["Control the shoulders and hips before exposing the neck.","Win the hand fight one layer at a time.","Keep the choking elbow aligned beneath the chin rather than pulling sideways.","Use the head and chest to close escape space."],"entries":[{"label":"Back control","description":"Trap or occupy the defensive hands and slide the choking arm into position."},{"label":"Turtle breakdown","description":"Insert a seatbelt and hooks before attacking the neck."},{"label":"Scramble","description":"Follow behind the shoulders and connect chest-to-back before the opponent turns."}],"continuations":[{"label":"Short choke","description":"Use a compact wrist or forearm finish when the full figure-four grip is unavailable."},{"label":"Armbar","description":"Transition around an arm when the defender commits both hands to the neck."},{"label":"Mount","description":"Follow a turning escape to retain dominant position."}],"defenses":[{"label":"Two-on-one","description":"Control the choking hand before it reaches a finishing depth."},{"label":"Shoulders to the mat","description":"Move off the attacker's chest and rotate toward a facing position."},{"label":"Chin and shoulder alignment","description":"Use posture to buy time while clearing the attacking hand; the chin alone is not a reliable defense."}],"relatedTechniqueSlugs":["back-control","armbar","mount","guillotine-choke"],"athleteSlugs":["gordon-ryan","marcelo-garcia","ffion-davies","charles-oliveira"],"rulesetNote":"The submission is widely recognized, but age, belt, finishing direction, and ruleset can change what is legal. Train the finish under qualified supervision and check the current event rules.","sources":[{"label":"IBJJF rule book and rules resources","url":"https://ibjjf.com/books-videos","type":"rules"},{"label":"ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides","url":"https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules","type":"rules"},{"label":"International Judo Federation technique catalogue","url":"https://judo.ijf.org/","type":"reference"}],"lastUpdated":"2026-07-25","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/rear-naked-choke","markdownUrl":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/rear-naked-choke.md","jsonUrl":"https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/rear-naked-choke","relatedTechniques":[{"slug":"back-control","name":"Back Control","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/back-control"},{"slug":"armbar","name":"Armbar","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar"},{"slug":"mount","name":"Mount","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/mount"},{"slug":"guillotine-choke","name":"Guillotine Choke","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/guillotine-choke"}],"associatedAthletes":[{"slug":"gordon-ryan","name":"Gordon Ryan","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/gordon-ryan"},{"slug":"marcelo-garcia","name":"Marcelo Garcia","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/marcelo-garcia"},{"slug":"ffion-davies","name":"Ffion Davies","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/ffion-davies"},{"slug":"charles-oliveira","name":"Charles Oliveira","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/charles-oliveira"}],"sourceSite":{"name":"Ossmeta","url":"https://www.ossmeta.com"}}