Rear naked choke
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The rear naked choke (often abbreviated RNC) is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. Depending on the context, the term may refer to one of two variations of the technique. Either arm can be used to apply the choke in both cases.
The term rear naked choke likely originated from the technique in Jiujitsu and Judo known as the "Hadaka Jime," or "Naked Strangle." The word "naked" in this context suggests that, unlike other strangulation techniques found in Jiujitsu/Judo, this hold does not require the use of a keikogi ("gi") or training uniform.
The choke has two variations[1]: in one version, the attacker's arm encircles the opponent's neck and then grabs his own biceps on the other arm (see below for details); in the second version, the attacker clasps his hands together instead after encircling the opponent's neck.
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[edit] Rear Naked Choke "Figure Four" variation
This variant is considered to be a "blood choke" because it restricts blood flow to the brain via the carotid arteries. When done correctly, it can cause temporary unconsciousness in a few seconds. The following is a description of this technique using the left arm.
Step 1: The attacker's left arm encircles the opponent's neck, with the opponent's trachea at the crook of the elbow.
Step 2: The attacker's left hand then grasps his own upper right arm [bicep].
Step 3: The right hand is placed behind (or occasionally on top of) the opponent's head.
Step 4: The elbows are then brought together such that lateral pressure is applied to the neck on both sides.
When applied properly unconsciousness occurs in about 10 seconds and recovery from the choke is just as quick. Since the technique only applies pressure on the arteries in the neck that take blood to the brain no permanent damage is done to the body.
[edit] "Clasping Hands" variation
This variation has the supporting hand clasp the hand of the choking arm, allowing more pressure to be applied to the neck, but losing some of the control of the head. This alters the choke somewhat so that it is more likely to be applied as an airway-restricting choke or mixed blood and air choke, which results in more pain but a slower choke-out. As such, this technique is less frequently used at advanced levels in Judo[2]. Nonetheless, it has seen some successful applications in mixed martial arts competition: for instance, it was used by Fedor Emelianenko, a heavyweight champion in PRIDE, to defeat Kazuyuki Fujita at the PRIDE 26 event in 2003. Fujita tapped out about five seconds after the choke was applied. It was also used by UFC fighter Matt Hughes to defeat Frank Trigg in their second fight which was transitioned from a hand-on-biceps version of the RNC. Some also still refer to this lock as the "Severn Lock" due to its usage by former Ultimate Fighting Champion Dan Severn. (please note that this choke can be highly lethal and should not be attempted by anyone without good reason or medical supervision).
[edit] Judo
In Judo, the rear naked choke is known as hadaka jime (裸絞?) meaning naked strangulation, one of the twelve constriction techniques of Kodokan Judo in the Shime-waza list. It is also three (in variation) of Danzan Ryu's twenty-five techniques in the Shimete list.
[edit] Technique description
Graphic from http://web1.vattnet.com/judo/katamewaza.html
The main characteristic of Hadaka-Jime when compared to other Judo chokes is that it does not require the use of uke's clothing, namely his gi lapel, to create the choking tourniquet. The choke is created entirely by tori's arms.
Exemplar videos: Explanation from submissions101, Demonstraded and in Tournament from video.google.com
Danzan Ryu also recognizes the Standing Guillotine as Hadaka-Jime-Ichi. But the principle is the same as BJJ's ground version, as demonstrated from video.google.com.
[edit] Included systems
Systems:
Lists:
[edit] Hasami-Jime
Kyuzo Mifune demonstrates Hasami-Jime in The Essence of Judo and is described in The Canon Of Judo.
[edit] Others
Danzan Ryu enumerates three versions of Hadaka-Jime:[1]
- 1. Ichi (one)
- Standing neck-break. Two versions:
-
- Neck twist
- Guillotine
- A version of the guillotine, Mae-Hadaka-Jime, is also described in The Canon Of Judo.
- 2. Ni (two)
- Choke with forearm. This is an air choke with the forearm pressing on the throat.
- 3. San (three)
- Figure-4 choke with forearm. This is a blood choke with the forearms and biceps pressing and the sides of the neck.
[edit] "Sleeper Hold" in professional wrestling
Pro-wrestling's first "sleeper hold" is thought to have been performed by Jim Londos on June 29, 1931. Suspicion was abound as to the nature of Londos' move (which had looked suspiciously like a choke against the windpipe); however, Londos was quoted the next day in The New York Sun as simply having performed "a new hold I perfected which shuts off the jugular vein."
Though Londos' original move may or may not have been inspired by judo's "hadaka jime," pro-wrestling's sleeper and a rear naked choke both share a similar style of execution. However, in order for the sleeper to be used in the performance art-related world of pro-wrestling, the "leverage" arm is positioned in a relaxed state so the hold is not actually applied.
Brought to light once more in the 1960s by Johnny Weaver, the sleeper became a traditional move throughout professional wrestling history. As with many potentially devastating moves in pro-wrestling, however, the sleeper's portrayed effectiveness in the ring has been watered-down to an almost non-threatening maneuver used solely for dramatic effect during a match.
In reality, the effectiveness of this move would not at all be questionable, as a properly-applied sleeper would cause an opponent to quickly lose consciousness.
[edit] Catch Wrestling's "Sleeper"
In modern catch wrestling circles, the term "sleeper hold" refers to a variation of the RNC in which the individual performing the hold snakes the leverage arm across the opponent's throat (in the same manner as the traditional RNC) and grasps their opposite shoulder, rather than the bicep. The opposite hand is also placed against the base of the opponent's skull in the form of a closed hammer fist, or on top of the head. The attacking wrestler then squeezes his/her elbows together, pushes forward with the hammer fist (if used), and crunches forward with the abdominal muscles, producing an extremely tight and fast-acting choke.
[edit] In Popular Culture
The RNC is a popular submission hold for use in Hollywood films.
In Casino Royale, Daniel Craig's character, James Bond, successfully kills an African terrorist with a RNC.
In Air Force One, Harrison Ford's character kills one of the terrorists attempting to hijack the plane with a RNC. However, a "crunching" sound effect was added to the scene to make it appear as though Ford had broken his neck as opposed to choking him to death.
In Gangs of New York, Leonardo DiCaprio's character is involved in a fist fight where he eventually applies a back-mounted hand-clasp RNC.
In an episode of the action series 24, Jack Bauer utilizes a figure four rear naked choke against a helicopter pilot in order to knock him unconscious.
In another episode of 24, Morris O'Brian utilizes an improperly executed figure four rear naked choke against a Chinese terrorist in order to incapacitate him.
A popular action film of the 90's, True Lies, shows a terrorist attempting to choke out the hero with this technique moments before his wife, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, accidentally shoots the terrorist by dropping an uzi down a flight of stairs.
Splinter Cell video game character Sam Fisher uses the rear naked choke to knock out enemies after interrogating them.
[edit] Safe Application
This choke, in either the figure-four or clasped-hand variation, is an extremely dangerous technique if used thoughtlessly or improperly. When applied as a blood choke in particular, the brain is immediately deprived of oxygen, leading (as mentioned above) to unconsciousness and ultimately (if not released) to brain damage or death. It is imperative, when using this technique, to be completely aware of your opponent's physical state, and to release the choke at any sign of your opponent losing consciousness or "tapping out." Rafiel Torre, a former Mixed Martial Arts trainer and fighter, was convicted of killing a man using this technique, demonstrating that it is entirely lethal if misused. [3]
[edit] References
- Mifune, Kyuzo (2004,1965,1960). The Canon Of Judo. Kodansha International Ltd., 128,132. ISBN 4770029799.
- http://www.judoinfo.com/chokes.htm
