Rear naked choke
chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back
The rear naked choke (RNC), is a chokehold in martial arts applied from an opponent's back. The word naked in this context refers to the fact that this hold does not involve the use of a keikogi ("gi") or training uniform. The technique is also known as hadaka jime (裸絞, "naked choke") in Japanese martial arts and mata leão ("lion killer") in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
The choke has two variations: in one version, the attacker's arm encircles the opponent's neck and then grabs their biceps/shoulder on the other arm (see below for details); in the second version, the attacker clasps their hands together instead after encircling the opponent's neck. Recent studies have shown that the rear-naked choke takes an average of 8.9 seconds to render an opponent unconscious, regardless of the grip that is used.
"Figure four" or "short" variation
This variant is a blood choke because it restricts blood flow to the brain via the carotid arteries. When applied correctly, it can cause temporary unconsciousness in a few seconds (however, it can also be used to damage the trachea, larynx and hyoid bone as well as other parts of the neck and produce a neck crank by compressing the front of the neck and pulling upwards into the chin). The following is a description of this technique using the right arm (the same can be done with the left arm, changing roles of the choking and securing arms):
The attacker's right arm encircles the opponent's neck, with the opponent's trachea at the crook of the elbow.
The attacker's right hand then grasps their upper left arm/shoulder.
The left hand is placed behind (or occasionally on top of) the opponent's head.
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