The rear naked choke or “sleeper hold” is an mma submission move that is almost impossible to get out of when applied correctly. When this choke is applied, your oppenent will either tap out or pass out within seconds. This move is powerful and should only be applied in controlled settings with medical supervision.
How does it work? The elbow is placed directly under your opponent’s chin so the forearm and bicep naturally are against the sides of your opponent’s throat. The rear naked choke works by applying pressure to the carotid arteries while avoiding pressure to the trachea. This way, blood supply to the brain is blocked and your opponent will pass out easily. The hold should not be applied for more than three seconds after your oppenent passes out so make sure to watch your opponent carefully for signs of losing consciousness. As soon as the hold is released, blood flow will resume to the brain and your opponent will quickly wake up.
How to do the rear naked choke:
1. Get behind your opponent in what is known as the back mount or rear mount. This is where you are sitting behind your opponent. You can secure your position by hooking your feet on the insides of your opponents thighs.
2.Come under their arm with one arm while going over with the other arm and grab the top wrist with the bottom arm. This ensures your opponent can only grab your forearm to try to get out and can’t under your grip.
3. Move your top arm around your opponent’s neck to behind the opposite shoulder and grip with the small ridge of bone by the scapula. This makes it harder for your opponent to pull your arm off.
4. Clamp your palms together. Make sure the arm around the opponents neck is on top. When you clamp, take your bottom arm and push it down against your opponent’s back. This is to give you leverage and keep your opponent from pulling your arm away from his/her’s neck.
5. Tighten your hold around your opponent’s neck.
6. Quickly move your bottom hand behind your opponent’s neck as if you’re crossing your arms with his/her’s neck in between your arms and your chest.
7. To finish the hold, don’t simply pull back. Push down, up, and back as if you’re gonna pop their head off and your opponent will quickly tap out.
This is one of the most essential submission moves to know in mixed martial arts. It is effective, hard to escape from and can easily end a fight.
Rear Naked Choke Tutorial