How to Escape the Rear Naked Choke
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Choke Escape·Stephan Kesting
How to escape the rear naked choke. From the Submission Defense module of the Free Grapplearts BJJ Master App! iOS: htt…
Choke Escape
Family絞め技逃げ(Shime-waza Nige)
TraditionalTranslation: choke escape
Overview
The Choke Escape family covers all techniques for escaping choke and strangulation submissions once they have been initiated. [1] Choke escapes are among the most urgent defensive techniques in grappling because chokes can render a fighter unconscious in seconds, creating a much shorter escape window than joint locks. [1],[2] This family covers escapes from the three most common choke categories: guillotine chokes (front headlock strangulations), rear naked chokes (back control strangulations), and triangle chokes (leg-assisted strangulations). [2],[3]
History & Origin
Choke escape techniques have been developed alongside choking techniques throughout the history of grappling, from judo's shime-waza defences to BJJ's comprehensive choke escape curriculum. [1] The critical nature of choke defence — preventing unconsciousness — has made it a priority in every grappling system. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
Choke escape methodology was developed alongside choke attack systems in judo and BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Choke defence is critical in MMA, where rear chokes are the most common submission. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Creating space and movement to transition from an inferior to a neutral or superior position
Joints Involved — Hips (primary escape engine through bridging and shrimping), elbows (frames), knees (guard recovery)
Force Vector — Bridging (upward), shrimping (lateral), or inversion (rotational) — creating space is the fundamental escape principle
Escape Mechanic — Timing the escape with the opponent's weight shift or attack attempt maximises success rate
Position & Entry
From bottom (opponent has back control) — Fight the hands to prevent the choke, slide hips to the mat on the choking side, escape the hooks and turn into the opponent
From standing (opponent has back clinch) — Drop the hips, peel the hands, turn and face the opponent
From body triangle — Address the body triangle first by positioning the trapped leg to pry it open, then escape the hooks
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
4
Moderate4/10
Submission escapes carry risk of injury if executed too late; timing-critical
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— Unified MMA — Legal defensive/transitional technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— IBJJF — Legal
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Legal
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— NCAA Folkstyle — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal s...
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Choke escapes address the most dangerous submissions — chokes can render you unconscious in 6-10 seconds once locked (Danaher, Strangles and Turtle Breakdowns, 2019)
✓The hierarchy: (1) prevent the position, (2) fight the initial hand/arm entry, (3) chin tuck and hand fight, (4) technical escape
✓Time is the critical factor — every second of delay in defence brings you closer to unconsciousness
✓Different chokes require different escapes: RNC (hand fight + turn), guillotine (posture + circle), triangle (posture + stack + pass)
✓Hand fighting is the universal first response — if the opponent can't complete their grip, no choke is possible
✓Chin tuck buys time but doesn't escape — always combine the chin tuck with active hand fighting and positional escape
✓In MMA, choke defence must account for the threat of ground strikes during escape attempts
✓Drill choke escapes under fatigue — choke defences in competition happen when you're exhausted
Common Mistakes
!Defending too late — once the choke is fully locked, escape is nearly impossible; defend the hands and entry
!Relying solely on chin tuck — the chin tuck buys time but the opponent will eventually pry the chin
!Trying to muscle out of chokes — technical escapes with grip breaks work; strength fails under fatigue
!Panicking when choked — panic wastes oxygen and energy; stay calm and work the escape
!Defending the choke without addressing the position — escape the position, not just the choke
!Exposing one submission while defending another — maintain awareness of all threats
!Not training choke escapes under realistic conditions — progressive resistance is essential
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Create Space — use frames, hip movement, or leverage to generate room to move
2Disrupt Control — break or weaken the opponent's grips and weight placement
3Execute Escape — apply the specific escape mechanic with timing and commitment
4Recover Position — establish a safe position (guard, standing, or top)
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
6CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip fighting ability, hip mobility for sliding to the mat, chin defence
Favours
strong hands for grip fighting, flexible hips
Key muscles
forearms (grip fighting), core, hip flexors, neck
Sub-techniques
Guillotine Escape
SubFamilyThe Guillotine Escape subfamily covers techniques for escaping the guillotine choke (mae-hadaka-jime), a front headlock strangulation applied from standing or guard position. [1] Guillotine escapes must address the neck compression while managing the positional control — either escaping in the clinch (standing) or passing the guard (ground). [1,2] The primary escape strategies involve posturing to relieve the choke angle, driving forward to create a Von Flue counter opportunity, or circling the head free of the grip. [2,3]
2 genera·2 techniquesExplore
RNC Escape
SubFamilyThe RNC Escape subfamily covers techniques for escaping the rear naked choke (hadaka-jime), the most dangerous and highest-finishing submission in grappling and MMA. [1] RNC escapes must be initiated before the choke is fully locked — once the figure-four grip is secured and the squeeze applied, escape becomes extremely difficult. [1,2] Escape strategies focus on hand fighting to prevent the choke lock-up, shoulder walking to create defensive angle, and chin tucking to protect the neck while working to turn and face the opponent. [2,3]
2 genera·2 techniquesExplore
Triangle Escape
SubFamilyThe Triangle Escape subfamily covers techniques for escaping the sankaku-jime (triangle choke), where the attacker uses the legs to form a triangle around the defender's head and one arm, creating a strangulation. [1] Triangle escapes must address the locked legs around the neck while managing the risk that escape attempts may tighten the choke further. [1,2] The primary escape strategies are posturing (straightening the spine to relieve pressure) and stacking (driving forward to compress the attacker and change the choke angle). [2,3]
2 genera·2 techniquesExplore
Notes
Choke escapes are the most time-critical escapes in grappling — a fully locked blood choke causes unconsciousness in 5-10 seconds. The first defense is always to address the hands (strip grips, two-on-one the choking hand) BEFORE the choke is locked. (Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University; Danaher, Back Attacks: Enter the System)
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to prevent a rear naked choke from being applied in the first place?
The primary prevention is to not allow your opponent to establish rear mount position. According to Stephan Kesting, it's very difficult to apply a rear naked choke without at least one hook in rear mount, so denying that position is your first line of defense.
What should I do if my opponent is setting up the choke but hasn't locked their hands yet?
Stephan Kesting recommends grip fighting to stop your opponent's hands from connecting—particularly preventing one hand from coming over your neck. This early intervention, before the choke is fully locked, is often the most effective escape opportunity.
Which direction should I escape toward when defending a rear naked choke?
Stephan Kesting emphasizes always escaping toward the underhook side, as this makes you significantly safer. Once you escape this way, you can tuck your chin down and raise your shoulders to further protect yourself.
What can I do if the rear naked choke is already fully locked on?
If the choke is completely locked, Stephan Kesting suggests you can pop the opponent's arm over your shoulder to threaten a straight arm lock, then control their head with both hands, which opens up various rear mount escape options.
How does the Choke Escape work?
The Choke Escape family covers all techniques for escaping choke and strangulation submissions once they have been initiated. Choke escapes are among the most urgent defensive techniques in grappling because chokes can render a fighter unconscious in seconds, creating a much shorter escape window than joint locks.
Where does the Choke Escape come from?
Choke escape techniques have been developed alongside choking techniques throughout the history of grappling, from judo's shime-waza defences to BJJ's comprehensive choke escape curriculum. The critical nature of choke defence — preventing unconsciousness — has made it a priority in every grappling system.
Is the Choke Escape legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point (freestyle), reversal scores 1 point; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, escape scores 1 point, reversal scores 2 points
How dangerous is the Choke Escape?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — submission escapes carry risk of injury if executed too late; timing-critical
How do I set up the Choke Escape?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the Choke Escape?
Standard counters include: Maintain Pressure — keep consistent weight distribution to limit escape space / Anticipate Direction — read escape attempt direction and block early / Transition — flow to a new position when the current one is threatened.
What are the variants of the Choke Escape?
Common variants: Slide to side (choking-arm side) (fighting hands and sliding hips to the mat on the choking…); Peel-and-turn (stripping the seatbelt grip and turning into the opponent); Trap-arm escape (trapping one arm and rolling to pin the opponent's back); Body triangle escape (addressing the body triangle lock before escaping the hooks).
How effective is the Choke Escape in competition?
Choke defence is critical in MMA, where rear chokes are the most common submission.
What are common mistakes when doing the Choke Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Defending too late — once the choke is fully locked, escape is nearly impossible; defend the hands and entry / Relying solely on chin tuck — the chin tuck buys time but the opponent will eventually pry the chin / Trying to muscle out of chokes — technical escapes with grip breaks work; strength fails under fatigue / Panicking when choked — panic wastes oxygen and energy; stay calm and work the escape.
What are other names for the Choke Escape?
The Choke Escape is also known as Shime-waza Nige, Strangle Escape, Choke Defense.