RNC with One arm + how to win the hand fighting battle
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One Arm Variation Behind Head·Ramsey Dewey
How to do a rear naked choke with one arm, and how to shut down your opponent’s pesky attempts to stop you
One Arm Variation Behind Head
Species片腕バリエーション頭裏(Kata-Ude Bariēshon Atama Ura)
TransliterationTranslation: one arm variation behind head
Overview
The One Arm Variation Behind Head is a rear naked choke species where the choking arm wraps around the opponent's neck under the chin with the bicep and forearm targeting the carotid arteries on the sides of the neck, and the same hand reaches behind the opponent's head (rather than connecting with the other arm in the standard figure-four) — creating a single-arm choking configuration that compresses one carotid against the hand behind the head and the opposite carotid against the bicep. [1] This variation is used when the opponent successfully defends the standard two-arm RNC clasp. [1],[2]
Single Arm RNC Behind HeadOne-Handed RNC
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the BJJ/grappling submission system. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Applying this specific choking or cranking configuration to the opponent's neck or spine
Joints Involved — Neck (cervical spine — the target of all chokes/cranks in this family), arms (the choking limb creates the compression surface), shoulders (positioning determines the choking angle)
Force Vector — Bilateral compression (chokes compress from two sides) or rotational/extension (cranks apply torsion or hyperextension)
Submission Mechanic — The specific grip, arm positioning, and body alignment create the unique compression geometry of this variation
Position & Entry
From back control — Establish back control, then transition to this specific choke/crank variation
From front headlock — Secure the front headlock, then apply this specific choke configuration
From the parent position — Enter through the position described in the parent genus/species
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Apply slowly in training — chokes and cranks can cause injury if applied explosively
✓Tap early when caught — blood chokes cause unconsciousness rapidly; neck cranks can damage the cervical spine
✓Drill the specific grip and positioning until automatic
✓Chain with alternative choke variations when this one is defended
Common Mistakes
!Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective
!Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique
!Not controlling posture before applying
!Holding after the tap — release immediately
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Control Position
2Secure the Specific Grip
3Position the Choking Surface
4Apply Compression
5Finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis
2BookMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Description sources — [1] Choking/cranking technique curriculum [2] Competition analysis
5CitationMastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength, arm positioning precision, back control ability
Key muscles
forearms (squeeze), biceps (compression), shoulders (positioning)
Sub-techniques
Neck Crush Finish
VarietyThe Neck Crush Finish is a one-arm rear naked choke variation where the attacker uses a single arm wrapped behind the opponent's head to create a crushing compression on the neck — squeezing the neck between the forearm and the bicep without the standard two-arm figure-four configuration. [1,2]
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Power Squeeze Finish
VarietyThe Power Squeeze Finish is a one-arm rear naked choke variation that uses maximum muscular contraction of the choking arm — a brute-force finishing method where the attacker generates as much squeezing force as possible with the single arm around the neck, relying on raw compression rather than the leverage of the standard two-arm RNC. [1,2]
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I hide the bottom arm when doing a one arm RNC variation?
Ramsey Dewey explains that you hide the bottom arm because your opponent will instinctively try to grab and pry off your hands once they feel the choke. By keeping one arm hidden, if they grab the top arm first and you strip it, your hidden arm is still in place to finish the choke.
How do I prevent my opponent from peeling off my fingers when I have one arm wrapped?
According to Ramsey Dewey, if your opponent grabs over the top of your bottom arm with their thumb pointing down, you can flip your hand up to peel their fingers off and maintain your choke control.
How does the One Arm Variation Behind Head work?
The One Arm Variation Behind Head is a rear naked choke species where the choking arm wraps around the opponent's neck under the chin with the bicep and forearm targeting the carotid arteries on the sides of the neck, and the same hand reaches behind the opponent's head (rather than connecting with the other arm in the standard figure-four) — creating a single-arm choking configuration that compresses one carotid against the hand behind the head and the opposite carotid against the bicep. This variation is used when the opponent successfully defends the standard two-arm RNC clasp.
Where does the One Arm Variation Behind Head come from?
This variation developed within the broader choking/cranking system of its parent technique family.
Is the One Arm Variation Behind Head legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the One Arm Variation Behind Head?
Danger rating 8/10. High — chokes and neck cranks carry significant risk; blood chokes cause unconsciousness in 6-10 seconds; neck cranks can cause cervical spine damage; always tap early
How do I set up the One Arm Variation Behind Head?
The standard setup chain: Establish Control Position → Secure the Specific Grip → Position the Choking Surface → Apply Compression → Finish.
How do I defend against the One Arm Variation Behind Head?
Standard counters include: Hand fighting — stripping the grip before the choke is set / Chin tuck — protecting the throat / Posture — creating distance to prevent the choke / Turning — turning to face the attacker.
What are the variants of the One Arm Variation Behind Head?
Common variants: This is a specific variation (see parent genus/species for alternative variations).
How effective is the One Arm Variation Behind Head in competition?
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the One Arm Variation Behind Head?
Top errors to watch for: Applying too fast — gradual application is safer and often more effective / Wrong grip positioning — the specific grip variation defines this technique; incorrect grip = different technique / Not controlling posture before applying / Holding after the tap — release immediately.
What are other names for the One Arm Variation Behind Head?
The One Arm Variation Behind Head is also known as Kata-Ude Bariēshon Atama Ura, Single Arm RNC Behind Head, One-Handed RNC.