RNC Escape AGAIN!
0
RNC Escape·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
This video I teach how to escape a rear naked choke when you are on the mat while falling to "weak side"..... AGAIN! Ch…
RNC Escape
SubFamily裸絞め逃げ(Hadaka-jime Nige)
TraditionalTranslation: rear naked choke escape
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
RNC escape techniques have been a critical part of grappling defence since the rear naked choke became the premier finishing submission in both grappling and MMA. [1] The choke's devastating effectiveness — it is the most common submission finish in UFC history — has made RNC defence among the most studied and trained defensive skills in combat sports. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
Lineage
RNC defence was developed alongside the rear naked choke in BJJ and MMA training. [1]
Competition Record
RNC defence is the most critical submission escape in MMA, as the RNC is the most common finish. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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 opponent's choke attempt — Fight the grips — two hands on the choking arm to create space, tuck the chin to protect the neck
From early choke (before locked) — Strip the grips before the choke locks, turn into the choking arm to relieve pressure
From standing (choke from behind) — Drop the chin, fight the hands, turn into the attacker and create distance
Videos
ESCAPE the RNC with THIS DEFENSE!!
0
RNC Escape·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
PLEASE Click the links below to SUPPORT the TeachMeGrappling Channel!!! This video I demonstrate an unconventional but …
2 videos
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
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— UWW — Legal
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓RNC (rear naked choke) escape is the most urgent choke defence — the RNC from back mount is the highest-finishing-percentage submission in grappling and MMA (Danaher, Back Attacks, 2018)
✓The escape hierarchy: (1) fight the choking hand with two-on-one grip control, (2) clear the chin line by turning, (3) escape the back position entirely
✓Hand fighting is the primary tool: both hands control the opponent's choking wrist, keeping it below your chin
✓The escape sequence: fight hands → get back to the mat → clear bottom hook → turn to face → establish guard
✓The chin tuck is your first instinct but it only buys seconds — hand fighting is what actually prevents the choke
✓Turn toward the choking arm side — this denies the angle the RNC needs
✓In MMA, the RNC escape is the difference between winning and losing — the RNC is the most common finish from back mount
✓Drill RNC escapes from fully locked rear mount with the choke being actively attempted
Common Mistakes
!Defending only the choke without working to escape the position — you'll eventually be choked if you don't address back control
!Using the chin tuck as your only defence — it buys 3-5 seconds against a skilled opponent; fight the hands
!Turning away from the choking arm — turn toward it to deny the choking angle
!Letting the opponent lock their hands (Gable grip) behind your neck — once locked, breaking the grip is exponentially harder
!Fighting both hands equally — prioritize the more advanced (choking) hand
!Panicking under the choke pressure — calm, systematic hand fighting is more effective
!Not drilling RNC escapes as a primary training activity
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 (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John 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 (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Kodokan Judo (Jigoro Kano, 1986) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John 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
RNC Hand Fighting Escape
GenusThe RNC Hand Fighting Escape uses active hand control to prevent the attacker from securing the rear naked choke grip while working toward positional escape. [1] The defender maintains constant two-on-one control on the choking arm, peeling the wrist away from the neck and fighting to keep the arm below the chin line. [1,2] Hand fighting buys time for the defender to work on clearing hooks and turning to face the opponent, and is the primary RNC defensive strategy taught in all grappling and MMA programmes. [2,3]
Explore
RNC Shoulder Walk Escape
GenusThe RNC Shoulder Walk Escape uses a walking motion on the shoulders to slide the body downward and out of the attacker's back control while defending the choke. [1] The defender plants the shoulders on the mat and walks them laterally, sliding the body downward relative to the attacker's grip, which simultaneously creates distance from the choking arms and helps clear the hooks. [1,2] The shoulder walk is particularly effective because it works against both the choke and the positional control simultaneously. [2,3]
Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake when escaping the RNC?
According to Coach Brian at TeachMeGrappling, trying to bridge on top after defending the choke is a trap—the opponent can use their leg position to scissor and mount you. Instead, focus on the weak side escape and avoid getting greedy by attempting to take top position.
How do I know which direction to escape an RNC?
Coach Brian emphasizes falling to the weak side—the side where the opponent's hands are not pulling down strongly on the choke arm. Never push back on top of the opponent, as they will throw you to the strong side and potentially set up a body triangle.
What should I do if I can't get on top during an RNC escape?
If the opponent is in a better position to come up on top, perform a trip and hip escape while getting your knee in. This puts the opponent in your guard, where you can then wrestle up, attack a single leg, or push them away to stand up.
How does head position affect the RNC choke?
Coach Brian explains that if your head is on the wrong side, the opponent cannot squeeze with the same force. Moving the opponent's head to the opposite side while bridging reduces the effectiveness of their choke significantly.
How does the RNC Escape work?
The RNC Escape subfamily covers techniques for escaping the rear naked choke (hadaka-jime), the most dangerous and highest-finishing submission in grappling and MMA. 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.
Where does the RNC Escape come from?
RNC escape techniques have been a critical part of grappling defence since the rear naked choke became the premier finishing submission in both grappling and MMA. The choke's devastating effectiveness — it is the most common submission finish in UFC history — has made RNC defence among the most studied and trained defensive skills in combat sports.
Is the RNC Escape legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal defensive/transitional technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal; IJF: legal — Legal; ADCC: legal — Legal; UWW: legal — Legal; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the RNC Escape?
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — submission escapes carry risk of injury if executed too late; timing-critical
How do I set up the RNC Escape?
The standard setup chain: Create Space → Disrupt Control → Execute Escape → Recover Position.
How do I defend against the RNC 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 RNC 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 RNC Escape in competition?
RNC defence is the most critical submission escape in MMA, as the RNC is the most common finish.
What are common mistakes when doing the RNC Escape?
Top errors to watch for: Defending only the choke without working to escape the position — you'll eventually be choked if you don't address ba… / Using the chin tuck as your only defence — it buys 3-5 seconds against a skilled opponent; fight the hands / Turning away from the choking arm — turn toward it to deny the choking angle / Letting the opponent lock their hands (Gable grip) behind your neck — once locked, breaking the grip is exponentially….
What are other names for the RNC Escape?
The RNC Escape is also known as Hadaka-jime Nige, Rear Naked Choke Defense, Hadaka Jime Escape, RNC Defense.