Rear naked choke
Encyclopedia
The Rear naked choke 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 Jujutsu
and Judo
known as the "Hadaka Jime", or "Naked Strangle." The word "naked" in this context suggests that, unlike other strangulation techniques found in Jujutsu/Judo, this hold does not require the use of a keikogi ("gi") or training uniform.
The choke has two variations: 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.
When applied properly unconsciousness occurs in less than 10 seconds and recovery from the choke is just as quick. Since the technique applies pressure on the arteries in the neck that take blood to the brain, permanent damage may occur to the brain from insufficient blood supply.
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. 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. He used it again to defeat former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia in 36 seconds. Sylvia tapped out immediately once the choke was sunk in and after the fight described it as being very painful. 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.
Anderson Silva also used the clasping hands variation when he defeated Dan Henderson in the UFC.
in the Shime-waza list. It is also three (in variation) of Danzan Ryu
's twenty-five techniques in the Shimete list.
. It digs the blade of the wrist into the carotis sinus similar to the hand clasp method and uses a lever motion helped by the underhand. It is faster to apply requiring less strength than the figure four/MMA version but is more difficult to learn. It is not an air choke more of a nerve center/carotid choke created entirely by the attacker's arms.
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.
Lists:
demonstrates Hasami-Jime in The Essence of Judo and is described in The Canon Of Judo.*
1. Ichi (one): Standing neck-break. Two versions:
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.
's first "sleeper hold" is thought to have been performed by Jim Londos
on June 29, 1931. Suspicion abounded 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 fully applied.
It is more realistically used by TNA
wrestler Samoa Joe
(whose wrestling move-set is closer to mixed martial arts). From then on out, the move has become more of a staple among independent wrestlers, as well as the Japan
ese wrestlers with the "strong style" of the sport; the most notable being former MMA star Minoru Suzuki
.The sleeper hold is now more realistically done in pro 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 biceps. 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.
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.
Chokehold
A chokehold or choke is a general term for grappling hold that critically reduces or prevents either air or blood from passing through the neck of an opponent. The restriction may be of one or both and depends on the hold used and the reaction of the victim...
in martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
applied from an opponent's back
Back
- People :* Adam Back, British cryptographer* Charles Back, South African winemaker* Chris Back , Australian politician* Ernst Emil Alexander Back , German physicist* Frédéric Back , Canadian animator...
. Depending on the context, the term may refer to one of two variations of the technique, either arm
Arm
In human anatomy, the arm is the part of the upper limb between the shoulder and the elbow joints. In other animals, the term arm can also be used for analogous structures, such as one of the paired forelimbs of a four-legged animal or the arms of cephalopods...
can be used to apply the choke in both cases. The term rear naked choke likely originated from the technique in Jujutsu
Jujutsu
Jujutsu , also known as jujitsu, ju-jitsu, or Japanese jiu-jitsu, is a Japanese martial art and a method of close combat for defeating an armed and armored opponent in which one uses no weapon, or only a short weapon....
and Judo
Judo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
known as the "Hadaka Jime", or "Naked Strangle." The word "naked" in this context suggests that, unlike other strangulation techniques found in Jujutsu/Judo, this hold does not require the use of a keikogi ("gi") or training uniform.
The choke has two variations: 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.
"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 [biceps].
- 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, from the bicep and radius bone, is applied to the neck on both sides.
When applied properly unconsciousness occurs in less than 10 seconds and recovery from the choke is just as quick. Since the technique applies pressure on the arteries in the neck that take blood to the brain, permanent damage may occur to the brain from insufficient blood supply.
"Clasping hands" variation
Fedor Emelianenko
Fedor Vladimirovich Emelianenko) is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has won numerous tournaments and accolades in multiple sports, most notably the Pride 2004 Grand Prix and the World Combat Sambo championship on four occasions, as well as medaling in the Russian national Judo...
, a heavyweight champion in PRIDE, to defeat Kazuyuki Fujita
Kazuyuki Fujita
is a Japanese professional wrestler, mixed martial artist and a former amateur wrestler. He has fought in mixed martial arts promotions including PRIDE, K-1 and currently fighting in Sengoku....
at the PRIDE 26 event in 2003. Fujita tapped out about five seconds after the choke was applied. He used it again to defeat former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia in 36 seconds. Sylvia tapped out immediately once the choke was sunk in and after the fight described it as being very painful. It was also used by UFC fighter Matt Hughes
Matt Hughes (fighter)
Matthew Allen Hughes is an American mixed martial artist, UFC Hall of Famer, and former two-time UFC Welterweight Champion. Hughes put together two separate six-fight winning streaks in the UFC, won the welterweight title on two occasions, defended the belt a record seven times, and holds the...
to defeat Frank Trigg
Frank Trigg
Dewey Franklin Trigg III is an American mixed martial artist, color commentator, pro wrestler and co-host of MMAWeekly radio show and TAGG radio show...
in their second fight which was transitioned from a hand-on-biceps version of the RNC.
Anderson Silva also used the clasping hands variation when he defeated Dan Henderson in the UFC.
Judo
In Judo, the rear naked choke is known as Hadaka-jime (裸絞): "Naked strangle", one of the 36 constriction techniques of Kodokan JudoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
in the Shime-waza list. It is also three (in variation) of Danzan Ryu
Danzan Ryu
Danzan-Ryū is a Ryū of jujutsu founded by Henry Seishiro Okazaki in Hawaii. Danzan Ryū is ubiquitous in the United States, particularly on the west coast....
's twenty-five techniques in the Shimete list.
Technique
The main characteristic of Hadaka-Jime when compared to other Judo chokes is that it does not require the use of the opponent's clothing, namely his gi lapel, to create the choking tourniquetTourniquet
An emergency tourniquet is a tightly tied band applied around a body part sometimes used in an attempt to stop severe traumatic bleeding. Tourniquets are also used during venipuncture and other medical procedures. Severe bleeding means the loss of more than 1,000 ml of blood. This flow of blood...
. It digs the blade of the wrist into the carotis sinus similar to the hand clasp method and uses a lever motion helped by the underhand. It is faster to apply requiring less strength than the figure four/MMA version but is more difficult to learn. It is not an air choke more of a nerve center/carotid choke created entirely by the attacker's arms.
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.
Included systems
Systems:- KodokanKodokan, or the Kodokan Institute, is the headquarters of the worldwide judo community. Literally, kō means "to lecture" or "to spread information," dō means "the way," and kan is "a public building or hall," together translating roughly as "a place for the study or promotion of the way." The Kodokan was...
JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
, Judo Lists - Danzan RyuDanzan RyuDanzan-Ryū is a Ryū of jujutsu founded by Henry Seishiro Okazaki in Hawaii. Danzan Ryū is ubiquitous in the United States, particularly on the west coast....
, Danza Ryu Lists
Lists:
- The Canon Of Judo
- Judo techniqueJudo techniqueThis page is a list of judo techniques. There are a variety of techniques recognized by Kodokan judo and other budō . Below is a partial list, organized by technique type and alphabetically within type....
Hasami-Jime
Kyuzo MifuneKyuzo Mifune
has been categorized as one of the greatest exponents of the art of judo after the founder, Kanō Jigorō. He is considered by many to be the greatest judo technician ever, after Kanō.-Early life:...
demonstrates Hasami-Jime in The Essence of Judo and is described in The Canon Of Judo.*
Others
Danzan Ryu enumerates three versions of Hadaka-Jime:http://www.ajjf.org/AJJF/handbook/hbXTechniques.php1. 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 JudoThe Canon Of JudoThe Canon of Judo is a book was originally published in 1956, and written by Kodokan 10th dan, Kyuzo Mifune . The book covers almost all of the Kodokan recognized techniques, adds variations and new techniques, although Do-Jime is barely mentioned . The book also describes fifteen Kata developed by...
.
- 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.
"Sleeper Hold" in professional wrestling
Pro-wrestlingProfessional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
's first "sleeper hold" is thought to have been performed by Jim Londos
Jim Londos
Christos Theofilou or Christopher Theophelus better known as "The Golden Greek" Jim Londos, was a professional wrestler who was one of the most popular stars wrestling offered during the Great Depression.-Career:Jim Londos was born Christos Theofilou in 1897 in Argos, Greece. as the youngest of...
on June 29, 1931. Suspicion abounded 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
New York Sun (historical)
The Sun was a New York newspaper that was published from 1833 until 1950. It was considered a serious paper, like the city's two more successful broadsheets, The New York Times and the New York Herald Tribune...
as simply having performed "a new hold I perfected which shuts off the jugular vein
Jugular vein
The jugular veins are veins that bring deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart via the superior vena cava.-Internal and external:There are two sets of jugular veins: external and internal....
."
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 fully applied.
It is more realistically used by TNA
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
wrestler Samoa Joe
Samoa Joe
Nuufolau Joel "Joe" Seanoa is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Samoa Joe. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling....
(whose wrestling move-set is closer to mixed martial arts). From then on out, the move has become more of a staple among independent wrestlers, as well as the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese wrestlers with the "strong style" of the sport; the most notable being former MMA star Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Suzuki was the co-founder of Pancrase, one of the first mixed martial arts organizations in the world. During the 1990s he was known as one of the best fighters in the Pancrase promotion and was the second King of Pancrase world champion...
.The sleeper hold is now more realistically done in pro wrestling.
Catch wrestling's "sleeper"
In modern catch wrestlingCatch wrestling
Catch wrestling is a style of folk wrestling that was developed and popularised in the late 19th century by the wrestlers of traveling carnivals who incorporated submission holds, or "hooks", into their wrestling to increase their effectiveness against their opponents...
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 biceps. 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.
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 damageBrain damage
"Brain damage" or "brain injury" is the destruction or degeneration of brain cells. Brain injuries occur due to a wide range of internal and external factors...
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
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
trainer and fighter, was convicted of killing a man using this technique.