Crank his neck or knee his face - A devasting Neck Crank from the Leg Nelson
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Face Crank From Rear Mount·EffortlessJiuJitsu
In this video BJJ Blackbelt Björn Friedrich shows a very effective combination of Leg Nelson and a powerful Neck Crank. …
Face Crank From Rear Mount
Speciesフェイスクランク(Feisu Kuranku)
TransliterationTranslation: Face Crank (katakana loanword)
Overview
The face crank from rear mount is applied from standard back control by placing a hand or forearm across the opponent's face — typically under the nose or on the chin — and pulling the head backward while the hooks or body triangle anchor the body in place. [1],[2] The opposing forces of the anchored torso and the cranked head create cervical hyperextension. [1] This technique is commonly used as a setup to force the opponent to expose their neck for a rear naked choke, though it can produce a submission through spinal pain alone. [1],[2]
History & Origin
Face cranks from rear mount have been used throughout grappling history as both a submission and a technique to open the neck for chokes. [1],[2] In early MMA, face cranks from the back were commonly employed before rulesets were refined, and they remain legal in most professional grappling competitions. [1] The technique is sometimes called a 'can opener from the back' due to its similarity to the cervical flexion mechanic applied from behind rather than in front. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
A secondary attack from rear mount when the rear naked choke is defended; the face crank pressures the jaw and cervical spine, often forcing the opponent to open their neck defense [1]
Lineage
Used in catch wrestling, MMA, and no-gi grappling as a complement to rear naked choke attacks. The face crank from back control is considered a fundamental 'can opener' for choke defense [1]
Competition Record
Common in MMA when rear naked choke is defended; occasionally produces finishes at regional and national no-gi events [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Compression of the neck structures — restricts blood flow or airway depending on technique application
Joints Involved — Cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and vascular structures of the neck
Force Vector — Directed compression against the neck from the choking limb or body position
Finishing Mechanic — Sustained pressure causes either vascular occlusion (unconsciousness) or tracheal restriction (breathing difficulty)
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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
✓The face crank from rear mount drives the forearm across the opponent's face from back control — using the superior positioning of the rear mount to create cervical rotation and flexion cranks (Paulson, Shoot Wrestling, 2007)
✓From rear mount: the attacker has back control with hooks — the forearm is placed across the face (rather than under the chin) and pressure is applied to rotate the head
✓The face crank from rear mount is typically a transitional technique: it opens the chin tuck defence for the RNC — the opponent must choose between enduring the face crank or exposing the neck
✓The forearm across the face creates a dilemma: the pain of the crank forces the opponent to move their head, and any head movement creates an opening for the choking arm to slide under the chin
✓From back mount: the attacker's body weight and hooks provide the stability needed to apply facial pressure without losing position — the platform is secure
✓The face crank from rear mount uses the forearm's bony edge (radius): rotating the forearm so the bone contacts the jaw or cheekbone maximises the cranking effect
✓The technique is a 'chin-tuck breaker': the most common RNC defence (chin tuck) is defeated by making the chin-tuck position more painful than the choke it's defending against
Common Mistakes
!Relying on the face crank as the primary submission — it's a transition tool for opening the RNC; few opponents tap to the face crank alone at high levels
!Pressing into the eyes — target the jaw, forehead, or cheekbone; eye contact is dangerous and illegal
!Losing back hooks while applying facial pressure — maintain hooks throughout; the face crank is secondary to back control
!Applying the face crank without immediately following with the RNC — as soon as the chin lifts, the choking arm must slide under; delay wastes the opening
!Using excessive force — the face is sensitive; progressive pressure is sufficient to create the reaction; explosive cranking risks injury
!Not recognising the opponent's tap — face cranks cause pain before structural damage; respect the tap immediately
!Spending too long on the face crank — if it doesn't open the chin after a few seconds, transition to other back attacks rather than grinding indefinitely
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese MMA/BJJ standard terminology
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, long legs relative to torso
Favours
longer limbs for easier figure-four lock around head and arm
Key muscles
hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
How much power should I use when applying a neck crank from rear mount?
According to EffortlessJiuJitsu, you should be very careful with full power application since cranking someone's neck with maximum force can cause serious injury requiring surgery. The technique uses perfect body mechanics—similar to a deadlift motion—which generates tremendous force against a fragile target, so controlled practice is essential.
What body mechanics make the neck crank effective?
EffortlessJiuJitsu emphasizes that the crank doesn't rely on arm strength or squeezing, but rather on body mechanics using one of the strongest motions the human body can produce—the deadlift-like opening motion—applied against the spine, the most fragile target of the body.
What should I do if my opponent's arms trap during the crank?
EffortlessJiuJitsu explains that once both arms are trapped, the opponent has no escape route, so you can proceed with the crank or transition to strikes, then return to crank again to finish.
How does the Face Crank From Rear Mount work?
The face crank from rear mount is applied from standard back control by placing a hand or forearm across the opponent's face — typically under the nose or on the chin — and pulling the head backward while the hooks or body triangle anchor the body in place. The opposing forces of the anchored torso and the cranked head create cervical hyperextension.
Where does the Face Crank From Rear Mount come from?
Face cranks from rear mount have been used throughout grappling history as both a submission and a technique to open the neck for chokes. In early MMA, face cranks from the back were commonly employed before rulesets were refined, and they remain legal in most professional grappling competitions.
Is the Face Crank From Rear Mount 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 Face Crank From Rear Mount?
Danger rating 9/10. Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage
How do I set up the Face Crank From Rear Mount?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Face Crank From Rear Mount?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Face Crank From Rear Mount?
Common variants: Short choke (palm-to-palm grip) (compact grip for tight spaces when the chin is partially …); Gable grip RNC (interlocked fingers behind the head for maximum squeeze p…); Body triangle RNC (adds body triangle control for stronger hip management du…); One-arm RNC (single arm under the chin when the second arm cannot reac…).
How effective is the Face Crank From Rear Mount in competition?
Common in MMA when rear naked choke is defended; occasionally produces finishes at regional and national no-gi events
What are common mistakes when doing the Face Crank From Rear Mount?
Top errors to watch for: Relying on the face crank as the primary submission — it's a transition tool for opening the RNC; few opponents tap t… / Pressing into the eyes — target the jaw, forehead, or cheekbone; eye contact is dangerous and illegal / Losing back hooks while applying facial pressure — maintain hooks throughout; the face crank is secondary to back con… / Applying the face crank without immediately following with the RNC — as soon as the chin lifts, the choking arm must ….
What are other names for the Face Crank From Rear Mount?
The Face Crank From Rear Mount is also known as Feisu Kuranku, Rear Mount Face Crank, Face Lock from Back.