At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense, we believe that mastering essential techniques like the rear naked choke is crucial for developing effective self-defense skills. As a fundamental submission hold in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, knowing how to properly apply a rear naked choke can give you a distinct advantage in real-world scenarios. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to master the rear naked choke hold and incorporate it into your self-defense training. The importance of mastering the rear naked choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu extends beyond the mats; it is a powerful tool for self-defense. This technique, when applied correctly, can control an assailant effectively, making it a critical skill for anyone serious about personal protection. Our guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to confidently use the rear naked choke as part of your self-defense arsenal, emphasizing its practical application in various situations.
The Fundamentals of the Rear Naked Choke
The rear naked choke, also sometimes called the “sleeper hold”, is applied by getting behind your opponent, wrapping one arm around their neck, and using your other arm to lock in the choking grip. Proper hand positioning and a secure grip are essential for executing the technique correctly. At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we break down securing the rear naked choke grip into distinct steps for easy learning:
- First, wrap your choking arm diagonally across your opponent’s neck, as high up under their chin as possible. Slide your arm in deep.
- Next, grip your bicep firmly with your other hand to lock the choking arm in place. Make sure to cinch it up tight into an “S” shape.
- Drive your shoulder forward to arch your neck. This should force their chin downward into their chest.
- For maximum power, bring your head forward and squeeze your elbows together. The rear naked choke works by creating leverage and pressure from multiple angles.
- Maintain continuous pressure as you sink the choke in. Only release once your opponent taps out for safety.
Proper finishing mechanics are vital to ensure you can put anyone away regardless of size or strength once the choke grip is secured. We spend a lot of time drilling and refining this critical part of the technique.
Small details make a big difference when it comes to securing a fight-ending chokehold like the rear naked choke consistently. That’s why we’re thorough about identifying each individual step needed to lock up and finish the submission properly at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu. Mastering the process will help ensure you achieve dominant control during self-defense situations.
Understanding the Mechanics
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we emphasize proper hip and leg positioning as critical for finishing the rear naked choke against a resisting opponent. Here are the key steps we drill:
- Once you have the choke grip, drive your hips forward aggressively into your opponent’s lower back. This adds tremendous squeeze to the chokehold.
- Simultaneously, hook one leg across their waistband and lock your foot behind their same-side knee. This leg hook limits their movement.
- Take your other leg and cross it behind the calves, locking your ankles together. This figure-four leg lock completely neutralizes their lower body.
- Continue driving your hips forward while arching your torso back to maximize leverage. Your entire body should be working together to apply pressure on the neck from all angles.
The rear naked choke is extremely powerful because of the way the body mechanics multiply the choking force. When done correctly, the chokee cannot alleviate the pressure no matter how strong they are. Our step-by-step process ensures anyone can finish this move through proper technique and positioning.
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we believe attention to detail is critical for properly executing finishing holds like the rear naked choke in live training and self-defense situations. That’s why we break the technique down methodically into individual steps and drill them repetitively to ingrain the correct mechanics.
Safety Considerations
Practicing the rear naked choke requires care to avoid unnecessary injury to your training partner. At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we prioritize training smart and safe. At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, student safety is our top priority. That’s why we have strict protocols in place for rear-naked choke training.
When drilling or sparring in class, we require students to apply submissions slowly and with control. As the choke is applied, partners must tap out before excessive pressure builds. The choker should then be immediately released. Verbal tapping is also permitted if a partner cannot physically tap.
For self-defense applications, we teach the rear naked choke as a humane method to incapacitate threats. The goal is to briefly cut off blood flow to the brain to disorient attackers, not to intentionally injure them.
We train students to monitor choke pressure based on the situation. Once control is gained, quickly transition to restraint or escape rather than prolonging the choke unnecessarily.
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we take safety very seriously while training such a dangerous technique. With proper control and awareness, the rear naked choke can be applied both humanely and effectively. Our protocols ensure students avoid causing harm while developing truly functional self-defense skills.
Drilling the Technique
Gaining mastery requires drilling the rear naked choke repetitively to ingrain it into your muscle memory. We incorporate both solo and partner drills into our curriculum.
Solo drills allow you to work on the intricacies of proper hand grip and arm positioning. Grab a punching bag or pillow and mimic the choke on your own. You can also use a resistance band to simulate the feeling of choking an actual opponent. Repetition trains your muscles to automatically perform the complex hand and arm motions required to finish the choke.
Once you have the fundamentals down through solo practice, partner drills let you tie the technique together against fully resistant opponents. Take turns applying the choke at varying speeds and intensities while your partner defends. The constant back-and-forth process accelerates your learning curve.
We also utilize live situational drills at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu to ingrain the rear naked choke as an instinctive reaction. Students apply the technique in dynamic simulated self-defense scenarios with unknown attacks and levels of resistance. Adrenaline and pressure are added to prepare students for real-world application.
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we utilize a holistic approach to drills that takes the technique from solo form practice to live unpredictability. Our varied drilling methodology ensures students physically encode the rear naked choke motor patterns while also conditioning the proper mindset to apply it under pressure. The combination achieves true mastery.
Application in Self-Defense
Mastering the rear naked choke is invaluable because it gives you an extremely effective option to neutralize attackers in self-defense situations. The technique can be applied from a multitude of angles and scenarios.
Any time an assailant gives you their back, whether intentionally or by force, you have an opportunity to lock in the choke. This could occur while grappling on the ground, against a wall, or even standing upright if you can spin them around. The key is quickly capitalizing on any opening to take the back and sink in the choke.
When defending against a rear bear hug attack, you can quickly transition into the chokehold once you’ve broken their grip. The rear naked choke enables a smaller defender to control and submit larger attackers once in the proper position. After breaking the bear hug by striking the groin or stomping the feet, immediately spin behind the attacker to hop on the back and lock in the choke.
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we train students extensively in live simulations to react decisively in applying the rear naked choke during chaotic self-defense struggles. The constant pressure testing develops an instinctive ability to identify and create openings for the choke against resistant opponents. This real-world functionality separates our training from those who merely drill techniques non-resistingly.
The Psychological Aspect of Self-Defense
Beyond physical skills, mental preparation is equally crucial when facing real violence. Training under pressure at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu equips students with the ability to remain calm and confident in high-stress situations.
By repeatedly simulating violent encounters in a controlled environment, the fear and anxiety response can be reduced. You gain experience in managing your breathing, focusing your thoughts, and accessing your skills despite the chaotic adrenaline surge. The intensity is gradually increased as students develop their stress resilience.
Building self-defense self-efficacy is also pivotal. Our instructors work closely with students to set goals and acknowledge progress. Successfully applying techniques like the rear naked choke against fully resisting opponents breeds an unshakable belief in your capabilities. We ensure students experience meaningful wins in training.
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, the psychological curriculum is just as important as the physical. Without the ability to perform under pressure, the best techniques prove useless. Our immersive self-defense simulations condition the necessary mindfulness, courage, and confidence to prevail in violent encounters. This mental training is what truly differentiates our approach.
Physical Conditioning for Optimal Performance
Certain physical attributes will help you perform the rear naked choke at the highest level during intense struggles for self-defense. A well-designed strength and conditioning program should complement your technique training.
- Gripping exercises with thick bars and towels are excellent for building the forearm strength necessary to cinch and sustain the chokehold.
- Neck training directly strengthens the muscles you use when driving your head forward against an opponent.
Of course, cardiovascular endurance is always important in jiu-jitsu. At NOCO, we utilize sprints, cycling, and regular live sparring to enhance stamina for real combat situations that demand sustained effort. Flexibility of the hips, shoulders, and spine also improves rear choke mechanics.
Here are some other key exercises we incorporate at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu:
- Sledgehammer slams for core and grip power
- Bridge progressions to strengthen the neck and spine
- Hip mobility drills for optimal squeezing leverage
- Interval training like tabatas or rowing for conditioning
A comprehensive strength and conditioning program tailored to the physical demands of grappling is crucial to achieving mastery. At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we ensure our students develop the athleticism to dominate opponents and finish techniques like the rear naked choke against intense resistance.
Advanced Variations and Counters
Once you have a good command of the fundamental rear naked choke, there are various advanced details, setups, and counters that can take your skill to the next level.
Against opponents who are difficult to lock up due to their size or strength, sometimes sliding your choking arm deeper across their neck before gripping allows you to cut off their circulation more efficiently.
To counter opponents grabbing your choking arm to escape, switching to an alternate finish where you clasp your hands together instead of gripping your own bicep can surprise them and force the submission.
Here are some other advanced tweaks and variations we teach at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu:
- Switching arms mid-choke to stay one step ahead of their defenses
- Dropping your weight backward over their hips to increase the squeeze
- “Dog fight” hand switching to counter grip breaks
- Using the legs to constrict the carotid arteries for added choke pressure
- Choke finishes from alternative positions like mount and side control
We ensure our students have deep knowledge of the rear naked choke beyond just the basic technique. Learning nuanced adjustments, transitions, and counters is what allows you to apply the choke effectively against skilled, resisting opponents. This advanced training takes true mastery to the next level.
Learning from the Masters at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, our students have the benefit of learning directly from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts with decades of grappling experience. They provide invaluable insight into properly executing techniques like the rear naked choke against fully resisting opponents.
Our head instructors break down every step of the rear naked choke in detail, from proper grip to head positioning, to using the legs and hips for maximum leverage. Their nuanced tips and corrections make a significant difference in developing mastery.
Beyond physical skills, our instructors also instill critical philosophical elements that enable real self-defense application. We emphasize continuously sharpening your mindset, discipline, and determination alongside your technical abilities. Without the right mentality, even the best techniques will fail under pressure.
Training under the watchful eyes of multiple black belt coaches provides the support and motivation needed to progress through the unavoidable plateaus in your path. Their experience tells them exactly how to bring out each student’s maximum potential. We foster a tight-knit community atmosphere where everyone helps each other improve.
Our incredible instructor team imparts a lifetime of grappling wisdom to dramatically accelerate students’ growth. Their guidance plays a major role in developing true mastery of essential techniques like the rear naked choke.
Incorporating NOCO Jiu-Jitsu Principles into Training
Our NOCO Jiu-Jitsu values permeate every aspect of our teaching methodology. We firmly believe that upholding certain principles optimizes students’ development both on and off the mats.
We demand the highest levels of personal integrity, respect for training partners, and perseverance through adversity. Students are expected to take ownership of their own progress by putting in the hard work necessary to excel.
Our technical curriculum is also structured for maximal learning efficiency. We break down techniques methodically and believe in focused, goal-oriented sparring sessions. This instills an analytical approach to growth rather than just mindlessly “putting in the hours.”
Here are some of the core values we instill that allow students to reach their true potential:
- Discipline – Consistently showing up and putting in the hard work.
- Respect – Treating training partners and the academy with honor.
- Open-mindedness – Remaining humble and welcoming continuous improvement.
- Camaraderie – Helping teammates improve while pursuing progress together.
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we believe upholding ethical, positive principles maximizes students’ development both physically and mentally. Our values-based training system optimally cultivates well-rounded skills, character, and community.
Next Steps to Mastery with NOCO Jiu-Jitsu
- Advanced classes and seminars for skill refinement
- Our NOCO Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt program consists of advanced lessons tailored specifically toward bringing your skills up to the highest levels. These small group classes allow senior students to refine the details of their technique and mindset.
- We also host seminars where renowned jiu-jitsu experts share their secrets on mastering moves like the rear naked choke. Sessions directly with these elite guest instructors can provide game-changing insights for your grappling.
- Sparring and competition as tools for improvement
- Finally, we encourage all students to test their skills under pressure by competing in grappling tournaments. This exposes imperfections in your technique and mentality, allowing you to shore up weaknesses.
- Nothing accelerates growth faster than this trial by fire. Competing in tournaments allows us to push ourselves to new levels and gain valuable experience in high-pressure situations.
Once you have developed competent skills in applying the rear naked choke against fully resisting partners, there are always ways to deepen your mastery even further in your self-defense path. Our advanced classes and seminars offer a focused environment to refine your techniques and gain insights from expert instructors. We also encourage our students to participate in sparring and competitions to test their skills under pressure and identify areas for improvement. By confronting these challenges, we can continuously enhance our jiu-jitsu to new heights.
Final Thoughts
At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense, the rear naked choke hold stands out as one of the most important techniques we empower students to master for real-world self-protection. Implementing the tips and training methodology outlined in this guide will put you on the path toward proficient execution and application of this invaluable submission hold.
Achieving mastery in any discipline is a continuous process of growth and improvement. We invite you to join us at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense as you progress along your self-defense path. Through ongoing training, practice, and skill refinement, we can foster a supportive community where individuals of all levels can develop confidence, competence, and camaraderie. Together, let’s explore the rich world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and discover the empowering power of self-defense.
Start on a Life-Changing Adventure with NOCO Jiu-Jitsu
Joining NOCO Jiu-Jitsu is an opportunity to unleash your full potential as a self-defense practitioner. Our personalized training programs and expert guidance will equip you with the skills and confidence to protect yourself effectively in any situation. At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, you’ll have the support and resources to reach new heights in your self-defense path.
Mastering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu not only enhances your physical abilities but also cultivates a mindset of discipline, resilience, and situational awareness. At NOCO Jiu-Jitsu, we provide a supportive community where individuals of all backgrounds and skill levels can thrive.
Begin on a life-changing path towards self-empowerment and self-defense by taking the first step and contacting us today. Schedule your first class at NOCO Jiu-Jitsu and experience the life-changing benefits of training with our dedicated team. This is your opportunity to unlock a new level of personal growth, confidence, and self-defense skills. Call us now for more information!
