Neck cranks
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Cradle Neck Crank·Energia Martial Arts·Added by Admin
Neck cranks So after a lot of very practical and super professional videos we decided it was time to teach you guys how…
Cradle Neck Crank
Genus揺り籠首挫ぎ(Yurikago Kubi Kujiki)
TraditionalTranslation: Cradle Neck Wrench
Overview
The cradle neck crank combines a wrestling cradle — where the attacker links the opponent's head and leg together — with cervical flexion pressure. [1],[2],[3] The attacker clasps hands connecting the head and knee, then squeezes to fold the opponent, driving the chin toward the knee and creating intense flexion pressure on the cervical spine. [1],[4] The cradle position provides exceptional control because the linked head-to-leg connection immobilizes the torso while the cranking force is applied to the neck. [1],[5]
History & Origin
The cradle is a fundamental wrestling technique used for pinning that dates back centuries. [1],[2] The cranking application — using the cradle's compressive force as a submission rather than just a pin — developed in catch wrestling and was carried into MMA and BJJ. [1],[3],[4] Cradle neck cranks remain more common in wrestling-heavy MMA fighters' arsenals than in pure BJJ. [1],[5]
Effectiveness
The cradle neck crank combines the cradle grip with cervical flexion pressure, forcing the chin toward the chest. [1]
Lineage
Cradle neck cranks evolved from wrestling cradle techniques adapted for submission finishes. [1]
Competition Record
Cradle neck cranks appear in MMA and submission grappling events where neck cranks are permitted. [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 controlling position — Establish the dominant position, clear defensive grips, thread the choking limb into position
From guard (bottom) — Break the opponent's posture, isolate the neck and configure the choke from underneath
From transition — During a scramble or position change, secure the neck control and lock the choke before the opponent re-establishes defence
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Cervical flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest, compressing the anterior cervical spine
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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
✓The cradle neck crank uses the wrestling cradle position to force the opponent's head toward their knees — combining the head-to-knee compression with cervical flexion for both a pin and a submission (Paulson, Shoot Wrestling, 2007)
✓The cradle: lock the hands by connecting a grip behind the opponent's head and under their leg — the head and knee are pulled together, folding the opponent while cranking the neck
✓In wrestling, the cradle is a pinning combination: the head-to-knee fold puts both shoulders on the mat — in submission grappling, the same fold creates cervical hyperflexion
✓The cradle neck crank works because the head is forced past the normal flexion range while the body is folded — the cervical spine is compressed between the head's downward path and the spine's resistance
✓The near-side cradle: from side control, reach under the head with one arm and hook the near knee with the other — lock the hands and squeeze
✓The far-side cradle: from side control, reach over to the far hip and hook the far knee — the grip connects behind the head and under the far leg
✓Ben Askren and other wrestlers have demonstrated the cradle's effectiveness in MMA — using the wrestling pin position as a platform for ground-and-pound or neck cranks
Common Mistakes
!Locking the cradle without head control — the head must be included in the lock; a body-only cradle has no cranking mechanism
!Applying the cradle without controlling the hip-side leg — the cradle requires both head and leg to be connected; missing the leg allows the opponent to extend
!Not squeezing after locking — the cradle position alone isn't a submission; active squeezing that drives the head toward the knee creates the crank
!Attempting the cradle from bottom position — the cradle requires top control; from the bottom, the opponent simply postures out
!Using only arm strength to close the cradle — use chest-to-chest pressure and hip drive to fold the opponent; the arms connect the position but the body creates the force
!Not transitioning when the cradle is defended — the cradle attempt creates scrambles and position changes; be ready to transition to passes or other attacks
!Applying the cradle against a flexible opponent expecting a quick tap — flexible opponents can absorb the fold; maintain the position and add rotational force if needed
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
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 amateur wrestling (揺り籠 = cradle); Koryu Jujutsu (首挫ぎ)
1BookJapanese amateur wrestling (揺り籠 = cradle); Koryu Jujutsu (首挫ぎ)
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese amateur wrestling (揺り籠 = cradle); Koryu Jujutsu (首挫ぎ)
2Oral TraditionKoryu Jujutsu (Classical Japanese Jujutsu)
Classical schools: Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu, Takenouchi-ryu, etc.
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)
5CitationJapanese amateur wrestling (揺り籠 = cradle); Koryu Jujutsu (首挫ぎ)
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese amateur wrestling (揺り籠 = cradle); Koryu Jujutsu (首挫ぎ)
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
Favours
strong upper body for sustained compression
Key muscles
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Sub-techniques
Cradle From Side Control
SpeciesThe cradle neck crank from side control is applied by the top player who locks a cradle grip — connecting the hands behind the opponent's head and under one leg — from the side control position, then drives the knee toward the head to compress the opponent into a ball and crank the cervical spine through forced flexion. [1,2] The cradle locks the opponent's upper and lower body together, eliminating hip escape and bridging defense. [1] The neck crank occurs as the head is driven into the chest with increasing force from the clasped hands. [1,2]
1 varieties·1 techniquesExplore
Cradle From Top Half Guard
SpeciesThe cradle neck crank from top half-guard is applied when the top player locks a cradle from the half-guard position by reaching around the opponent's head with one arm and under the near-side leg with the other, clasping the hands together. [1,2] The cradle immobilizes the bottom player by connecting the head and leg, and the top player drives forward to compress the spine into forced cervical flexion. [1] The half-guard makes the near-side leg accessible for the cradle grip while the head is within reach from the top position. [1,2]
1 varieties·1 techniquesExplore
Cradle From Turtle
SpeciesThe cradle neck crank from turtle is applied against a turtled opponent by the attacker reaching around the head and under a leg to lock a cradle grip, then rolling the opponent onto their back while maintaining the cradle pressure. [1,2] The turtle position makes both the head and the near-side leg accessible from a top or side angle, facilitating the cradle lock. [1] Once the cradle is secured, the attacker rolls the opponent over and drives the knee toward the head to compress the spine into forced flexion. [1,2]
1 varieties·1 techniquesExplore
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from blocking my leg when setting up the cradle neck crank?
According to Energia Martial Arts, you should maintain control of their arm or slide down slightly to prevent blocking, then step over with one quick step as you lift your knee up to catch your own shin.
What's the difference between stepping over once versus twice in the cradle position?
Energia Martial Arts explains that one step is faster, but if you want more control, you can use two steps—first placing your foot, then going deep around the neck with your leg, which gives you more space and stability.
What hand grip should I use to finish the cradle neck crank?
Energia Martial Arts recommends a gable grip on the chin, though a butterfly grip or S grip can work if you have longer arms; then twist while extending your opponent's body to apply the crank.
What should I do if my opponent tries to block my leg step?
If your opponent blocks your leg, Energia Martial Arts suggests replacing your fist with your foot and walking it up close toward their armpit instead, making it difficult for them to turn away or toward you.
How does the Cradle Neck Crank work?
The cradle neck crank combines a wrestling cradle — where the attacker links the opponent's head and leg together — with cervical flexion pressure. The attacker clasps hands connecting the head and knee, then squeezes to fold the opponent, driving the chin toward the knee and creating intense flexion pressure on the cervical spine.
Where does the Cradle Neck Crank come from?
The cradle is a fundamental wrestling technique used for pinning that dates back centuries. The cranking application — using the cradle's compressive force as a submission rather than just a pin — developed in catch wrestling and was carried into MMA and BJJ.
Is the Cradle Neck Crank 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 Cradle Neck Crank?
Danger rating 8/10. Cervical flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest, compressing the anterior cervical spine
How do I set up the Cradle Neck Crank?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the Cradle Neck Crank?
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 Cradle Neck Crank?
Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fric…); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling wit…); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent …).
How effective is the Cradle Neck Crank in competition?
Cradle neck cranks appear in MMA and submission grappling events where neck cranks are permitted.
What are common mistakes when doing the Cradle Neck Crank?
Top errors to watch for: Locking the cradle without head control — the head must be included in the lock; a body-only cradle has no cranking m… / Applying the cradle without controlling the hip-side leg — the cradle requires both head and leg to be connected; mis… / Not squeezing after locking — the cradle position alone isn't a submission; active squeezing that drives the head tow… / Attempting the cradle from bottom position — the cradle requires top control; from the bottom, the opponent simply po….
What are other names for the Cradle Neck Crank?
The Cradle Neck Crank is also known as Yurikago Kubi Kujiki, Cradle, Wrestling Cradle, Near-Far Cradle.