Overview
The rear naked strangle is one of the most fundamental and effective submissions in grappling. Applied from back control, it targets the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck using a variety of arm configurations. When properly secured, it produces a rapid strangle, making it one of the highest-percentage finishes in both sport jiu-jitsu and MMA.
In modern no-gi, back control and the rear naked form a complete attacking system built around maintaining hooks or a body triangle, constantly threatening the strangle, and using hand-fighting to expose the neck. High-level athletes blend repeated strangle attempts with leg-based arm traps and controlled grip exchanges to break defenses and apply the submission. Its efficiency, reliability, and ability to finish elite opponents without relying on strength make it one of the most successful submissions in all of grappling.
Common Applications
- From back control: Slide the primary arm under the chin, lock the figure-four, and compress the neck while maintaining chest-to-back connection.
Related Techniques
Rear triangle, Rear kata gatame, Armbar, Twister
Note: The term “rear naked” broadly refers to any strangle applied from back control in no-gi, including mandible strangles, non–figure-four finishes (such as gable-grip variations), and one-arm rear naked finishes.