Body-Triangle Extension

Variety

リアネッククランク(Ria Nekku Kuranku)

Transliteration

Translation: Rear Neck Crank (katakana loanword)

Overview

The body-triangle extension combines body triangle back control with a cervical extension crank, using the body triangle's hip compression as an anchor while the arms drive the head backward. ^[1] The body triangle locks the opponent's torso in place, preventing any rolling or rotational escape, while the attacker's arms pull the head into forced extension. ^[1],[2] The anchored body triangle means all cranking force is transmitted directly to the cervical spine rather than being dissipated through body movement. ^[2] This combination is particularly dangerous because the opponent cannot relieve the spinal stress through any movement — the body triangle immobilises the torso while the arms extend the neck. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Body Triangle Extension Crank^[1]BT Cervical Extension^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Body triangle neck cranks developed in modern MMA and no-gi grappling, where the body triangle's superior control properties were combined with offensive neck attacks. ^[1] The technique represents the evolution of back control from purely choke-oriented to multi-threat offensive platforms. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Devastating when applied from body triangle back control — the extension creates cervical hyperextension combined with body compression. Very effective pain submission ^[1]

Lineage

A modern BJJ/MMA technique that exploits the body triangle position's control advantage; popularized by fighters who use body triangle as primary back control ^[1]

Competition Record

Seen in MMA at UFC level; the body triangle extension has forced several high-profile tap-outs when combined with neck attacks from back control ^[1]

Images

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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

Variants

Standard triangle — classic figure-four leg lock around the head and one arm from guard

Reverse triangle — legs locked from behind or inverted angle for different attack setups

Mounted triangle — applied from mount position with gravity assisting the squeeze

No-arm triangle — both arms excluded, legs-only compression on the neck

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Extreme9/10

Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

Legal

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— shime-waza

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— 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 RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The body-triangle extension neck crank uses the body triangle from back control to create an extension-based cervical crank — the body triangle squeezes the torso while the arms push the head backward, extending the cervical spine (Danaher, Back Attacks: Enter the System, 2018)

✓From body triangle back control: the legs lock the body triangle around the opponent's torso while the arms push the head backward (extension) — the thoracic spine is stabilised by the body triangle while the cervical spine is forced into extension

✓The body triangle provides the anchor: by squeezing the torso, the body triangle prevents the opponent from curling forward — the cervical spine must absorb all the extension force

✓The extension mechanism: the arms push the chin or forehead backward while the body triangle holds the torso still — the neck is hyperextended between the fixed torso and the pushed head

✓This crank is often a byproduct of RNC defence: when the opponent tucks their chin, the attacker pushes the head backward to break the tuck — the pushing motion becomes an extension crank

✓The body-triangle extension is a compound threat: the body triangle itself causes rib and spine compression, and the cervical extension adds a second layer of submission pressure

✓The body-triangle extension is dangerous: the cervical spine in extension is vulnerable, and the body triangle prevents the opponent from rolling or adjusting to relieve the pressure

Common Mistakes

!Applying explosive extension — the cervical spine is very vulnerable in extension; apply progressive force only

!Not having a secure body triangle before extending — the body triangle must be locked; attempting the extension without the torso anchor is ineffective

!Pushing into the eyes or nose — push on the chin, forehead, or crown of the head; eye/nose contact is dangerous

!Extending without squeezing the body triangle — the torso must be stabilised for the extension to focus on the cervical spine

!Not transitioning to the RNC when the chin lifts — the extension breaks the chin tuck; immediately slide the choking arm under the chin

!Holding maximum extension without purpose — the extension should open the neck for the RNC, not be held at end range for extended periods

!Using the body-triangle extension against training partners without communication — this is a dangerous technique; discuss intensity and limits before applying

Related Techniques

Tap (Submission Signal) — the safety mechanism indicating the technique is effective

Counter Techniques

Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration

Setup Chain

1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission

2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction

3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics

4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Body-Triangle Extension work?

Where does the Body-Triangle Extension come from?

Body triangle neck cranks developed in modern MMA and no-gi grappling, where the body triangle's superior control properties were combined with offensive neck attacks. The technique represents the evolution of back control from purely choke-oriented to multi-threat offensive platforms.

Is the Body-Triangle Extension 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 Body-Triangle Extension?

Danger rating 9/10. Extension cranks force the head backward; risk of vertebral disc and ligament damage

How do I set up the Body-Triangle Extension?

The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.

How do I defend against the Body-Triangle Extension?

Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.

What are the variants of the Body-Triangle Extension?

Common variants: Standard triangle (classic figure-four leg lock around the head and one arm …); Reverse triangle (legs locked from behind or inverted angle for different a…); Mounted triangle (applied from mount position with gravity assisting the sq…); No-arm triangle (both arms excluded, legs-only compression on the neck).

How effective is the Body-Triangle Extension in competition?

Seen in MMA at UFC level; the body triangle extension has forced several high-profile tap-outs when combined with neck attacks from back control

What are common mistakes when doing the Body-Triangle Extension?

Top errors to watch for: Applying explosive extension — the cervical spine is very vulnerable in extension; apply progressive force only / Not having a secure body triangle before extending — the body triangle must be locked; attempting the extension witho… / Pushing into the eyes or nose — push on the chin, forehead, or crown of the head; eye/nose contact is dangerous / Extending without squeezing the body triangle — the torso must be stabilised for the extension to focus on the cervic….

What are other names for the Body-Triangle Extension?

The Body-Triangle Extension is also known as Ria Nekku Kuranku, Body Triangle Extension Crank, BT Cervical Extension.

ria nekku kuranku submission choke and strangle lock neck crank choke cervical extension crank rear neck crank rear neck crank from body triangle body triangle extension body triangle extension crank bt cervical extension