Rear naked choke
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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] "Hand-on-biceps" version
In martial arts, the term RNC often refers to the hand-on-biceps version (sometimes the shoulder since hands on shoulder allows less space for the other person to escape but getting in that position is rare.) 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 -- the attacker's left arm encircles the opponent's neck, with the opponent's trachea at the crook of the elbow. The attacker's left hand then grasps his own upper right arm (biceps region). The right hand is placed behind (or occasionally on top of) the opponent's head. The elbows are then brought together such that lateral pressure is applied to the neck on both sides.
This technique is often used in certain grappling martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is one of the most common ways to win a match in mixed martial arts competition[2]. It is also a lateral vascular neck restraint used by law enforcement. It is known in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as mata leão, meaning "kill the lion" or "lion killer" in Portuguese, likely as a homage to the tale of the slaying of the Nemean Lion by Heracles (Hercules) using a chokehold (various paintings, however, depict Heracles as using a frontal chokehold instead).
In a scene from the 2006 film Casino Royale, James Bond uses this hold to incapacitate an assailant from the Lord's Resistance Army, killing him in the process.
[edit] "Clasping-hands" version
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[3]. 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.
[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.
In modern catch wrestling circles, the term "sleeper hold" refers to a hand-on-shoulder variation of the RNC,which also sees a closed fist, rather than an open hand,placed against the base of the opponents skull.
[edit] References
- ^ judosport.net - two RNC versions
- ^ sherdog.com - commonality of RNC in MMA
- ^ bestjudo.com - use of RNC in judo
