MMA BJJ Neck Crank Armbar by Avellan! FFA Technique
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Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)·Freestyle Fighting Academy
http://www.MarcosAvellan.com Visit my website for more videos! The Neck Crank Armbar works for both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu …
Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)
Speciesリアネッククランク・バックから（フック無し）
TransliterationTranslation
Not yet documented
Overview
The Rear Neck Crank From Back Without Hooks is a neck crank submission applied from a back-control position where the attacker does not have hooks (feet inside the opponent's thighs) — instead maintaining back position through body weight, chest-to-back pressure, or a body triangle while cranking the neck. [1] This variation occurs when standard back hooks have been stripped but the attacker maintains enough positional control to attack the neck. [1],[2]
Rear Crank No HooksCan Opener from BackNeck Crank Back Control
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Developed within the BJJ/grappling submission system. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition. [1]
Images
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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
16 backmount submissions besides the RNC
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Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)·Ramsey Dewey
What submissions can you do from back mount besides the rear naked choke? Here are 16 of them, including triangles, arm …
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The rear neck crank from back without hooks is a cervical extension technique executed from the back control position, particularly effective when the opponent tucks their chin or lowers their head to defend against a rear naked choke. Ramsey Dewey describes this as a response to defensive posturing: when the opponent's head drops below the attacker's, the traditional RNC becomes difficult to finish, making the neck crank an alternative submission vector. The technique involves breaking the opponent's posture through spinal torsion—rotating their head to create an uncomfortable, weakened position—using one or both hands to grab the opponent's shoulder or chin area and pull their face backward while simultaneously pushing their head forward with the attacker's shoulder, creating a bilateral force that snaps the neck sideways. Freestyle Fighting Academy's Marcus Allen presents a related variation from the mount position, framing it as the "neck crank armbar" set-up, where the neck crank serves as a decoy that psychologically prepares the opponent for submission (creating discomfort and breathing difficulty) while the attacker transitions to an armbar finish. Both instructors emphasize that the neck crank is a legitimate submission in itself, distinct from choking, and relies on postural breakdown rather than blood flow restriction. Allen stresses the importance of cranking with full power to create the psychological and physical distraction necessary for seamless transitions to follow-up submissions.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- Ramsey Dewey — 16 backmount submissions besides the RNC: Explains neck crank as a response to opponent defensive head positioning; describes the mechanics of spinal torsion using shoulder and hand pressure to rotate the head sideways; emphasizes that it breaks posture rather than restricts blood flow; provides context of Khabib vs. McGregor as a real-world example.
- Freestyle Fighting Academy — MMA BJJ Neck Crank Armbar by Avellan! FFA Technique: Details neck crank as a set-up from mount position with psychological decoy effect; explains how the discomfort and breathing difficulty caused by the crank causes the opponent to forget about arm defense; provides step-by-step progression into armbar finish; emphasizes full-power cranking to maximize distraction before transition.
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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
— IBJJF — Neck cranks and spinal locks prohibited at all be...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IJF — Neck cranks prohibited
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake people make with thigh pressure in this technique?
Many practitioners think just having their thigh in position is enough, but you actually need your thigh pushing in actively—your foot needs to be at an angle to create real pressure, otherwise your opponent can easily swim their arm out.
Why do I need to crank hard on the neck before attempting the armbar?
If you don't crank hard enough, you'll still have too much weight on your knee, which creates an awkward and weak armbar attempt. You need to sit back on their chest and crank firmly to transfer your weight and set up a proper finish.
What should I do with the head position before finishing the armbar?
Push the head down first before attempting your armbar, otherwise the head will be too high and you won't be able to get your leg over their head to complete the move.
How do I maintain control when transitioning from the neck crank to the armbar?
Stay off your knee, keep the head pushed down, and avoid falling away from your opponent when you kick for the armbar—falling away allows their elbow to tuck in and gives them the opportunity to escape on top.
How does the Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks) work?
The Rear Neck Crank From Back Without Hooks is a neck crank submission applied from a back-control position where the attacker does not have hooks (feet inside the opponent's thighs) — instead maintaining back position through body weight, chest-to-back pressure, or a body triangle while cranking the neck. This variation occurs when standard back hooks have been stripped but the attacker maintains enough positional control to attack the neck.
Where does the Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks) come from?
This variation developed within the broader choking/cranking system of its parent technique family.
Is the Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks) legal in competition?
IBJJF: banned — Neck cranks and spinal locks prohibited at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Neck cranks prohibited; 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 Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)?
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 Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)?
The standard setup chain: Establish Control Position → Secure the Specific Grip → Position the Choking Surface → Apply Compression → Finish.
How do I defend against the Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)?
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 Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)?
Common variants: This is a specific variation (see parent genus/species for alternative variations).
How effective is the Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks) in competition?
Used in BJJ, MMA, and submission grappling competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)?
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 Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks)?
The Rear Neck Crank From Back (No Hooks) is also known as Rear Crank No Hooks, Can Opener from Back, Neck Crank Back Control.