Gotch Worlds: Neck Crank Finishes
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Catch Wrestling Neck Crank·Catch Wrestling Alliance
#CatchWrestling #CACC #CatchAsCatchCan Neck cranks from the most important tournament in Catch Wrestling, Frank Gotch W…
Catch Wrestling Neck Crank
SubFamilyCatch・レスリング・Neck・Crank(Catch Wrestling Neck Crank)
Translation: catch wrestling neck crank
Overview
The Catch Wrestling Neck Crank applies rotational and compressive force to the cervical spine, a technique from the original no-holds-barred catch wrestling tradition. [1]
Can OpenerCatch Neck Lock
History & Origin
Documented across multiple grappling traditions. [1]
Effectiveness
Proven in competition and cross-style challenge matches. [1]
Lineage
Multi-style grappling tradition. [1]
Competition Record
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Catch Wrestling Neck Crank-specific grappling mechanics
Position & Entry
From grappling position — Execute catch wrestling neck crank
Variants
Standard Catch Wrestling Neck Crank
Videos
Catch Wrestling: 3/4 Nelson to 3/4 Chancery Neck Crank: @SnakePitUSA
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Catch Wrestling Neck Crank·Snake Pit U.S.A. Original No-Gi
Snake Pit U.S.A. Founder/Head Coach, Joel Bane demonstrates a 3/4 Nelson to Chancery Neck Crank. Please keep in mind the…
Learn MMA Howdy Choke Position Choke, Neck Crank, & Funny BJJ Jiu-jitsu Catch Wrestling Submission!
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Catch Wrestling Neck Crank·DanTheWolfman
Learn MMA Howdy Choke Position Choke, Neck Crank, & Funny BJJ Jiu-jitsu Catch Wrestling Submission! Tickle Cobra Gatame …
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The catch wrestling neck crank is a submission technique that leverages positional control and precise upper-body mechanics to apply crushing pressure to the opponent's neck and cervical spine. Snake Pit U.S.A. emphasizes the three-quarter nelson (3/4 nelson) as the foundational position, explaining that the technique requires deep hand placement—the instructor must be able to see all fingers to ensure sufficient penetration—combined with an S-grip that aligns the cutting bones of the forearms with the sides of the head. The critical mechanical detail involves driving the chest onto the opponent's shoulder while pulling upward to immobilize the head completely; without this body-weight positioning, the crank lacks devastating effect. Catch Wrestling Alliance demonstrates the technique in match contexts, showing how forward pressure and control of the opponent's back can produce neck cranks that prevent the opponent from reaching a safe referee's position, ultimately forcing submission. DanTheWolfman provides multiple entry variations, including the "Howdy choke position" and windshield-wiper neck crank patterns, noting that body-weight distribution and deliberate head manipulation (such as striking the head slightly) increase the legitimacy of the submission by taking up slack in the technique. All three instructors agree that controlled pressure progression and precise hand positioning are essential; the submission works through lateral neck rotation and compression rather than raw strength alone.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Catch Wrestling Alliance — Gotch Worlds: Neck Crank Finishes: Demonstrated live match applications of neck cranks, showing how dominant back control and forward pressure force opponents into submission when they cannot achieve a safe position; illustrated cross-face and headlock-to-back transitions leading to neck crank finishes.
- Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling Association — Catch Wrestling: 3/4 Nelson to 3/4 Chancery Neck Crank: @SnakePitUSA: Provided detailed mechanical instruction on the three-quarter nelson foundation, emphasizing deep hand placement ("waving to mom"), S-grip alignment with cutting bones, chest-on-shoulder body weight, and the transition to chancery (lateral neck rotation); stressed that body positioning, not just arm strength, determines effectiveness.
- DanTheWolfman — Learn MMA Howdy Choke Position Choke, Neck Crank, & Funny BJJ Jiu-jitsu Catch Wrestling Submission!: Demonstrated multiple entry pathways including Howdy choke position and windshield-wiper neck crank variations; explained how controlled strikes to the head (e.g., karate chops) create slack in the submission and increase both pain and choking effectiveness by distributing pressure.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Grappling technique with joint/choke danger
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— kansetsu-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal submission technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Practise with controlled resistance (Sattler, 2007)
Common Mistakes
!Poor control
!Rushing
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Position → Catch Wrestling Neck Crank
Sources & References
Primary Source
The Ultimate Guide to Grappling (Sattler, 2007)
1Book[1] Sattler, J. (ed.) (2007). The Ultimate Guide to Grappling. Black Belt Books. ISBN 978-0-89750-291-7.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Sattler, J
2Citation[1] Sattler, J. (ed.) (2007). The Ultimate Guide to Grappling. Black Belt Books. ISBN 978-0-89750-291-7.
description, historyOrigin: sourced from Sattler, J
Community
Athletics
Good body control and flexibility
Notes
Catch wrestling neck cranks use direct mechanical pressure on the cervical spine — the 'can opener' and front headlock crank are staple catch wrestling techniques. Catch wrestling appears in 20 passages across 10 books. Considered 'dirty' in BJJ but fundamental in catch. (10 books; catch wrestling texts)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I position my hands for a 3/4 chancery neck crank?
According to Snake Pit U.S.A., one cutting bone should be aligned at the bottom of the jaw while the other is positioned above the ear. Your thumbs go together and you drive pressure in slightly to create the crank effect.
Why shouldn't I let my opponent go flat on their back during a neck crank?
Snake Pit U.S.A. instructs not to jump up on the chest or remove weight completely, because once you do that, your opponent will naturally roll straight to their back and escape the position. Instead, adjust your weight with them as they move.
What's the proper body control to prevent my opponent from moving in a neck crank?
Snake Pit U.S.A. emphasizes that if you move, you should suck your opponent up into you and move together, maintaining complete control of the head and neck rather than letting them shift independently.
How does the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank work?
The Catch Wrestling Neck Crank applies rotational and compressive force to the cervical spine, a technique from the original no-holds-barred catch wrestling tradition.
Where does the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank come from?
Documented across multiple grappling traditions.
Is the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels; IJF: banned — Only elbow joint locks (kansetsu-waza) permitted in judo — all other joint lo…; ADCC: legal — Legal — all submissions legal in ADCC; Unified MMA: legal — Legal submission technique; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank?
Danger rating 7/10. Grappling technique with joint/choke danger
How do I set up the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank?
The standard setup chain: Position → Catch Wrestling Neck Crank.
How do I defend against the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank?
Standard counters include: Technique-specific counters.
What are the variants of the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank?
Common variants: Standard Catch Wrestling Neck Crank.
How effective is the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank in competition?
Used in UFC and professional MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank?
Top errors to watch for: Poor control / Rushing.
What are other names for the Catch Wrestling Neck Crank?
The Catch Wrestling Neck Crank is also known as Catch Wrestling Neck Crank, Can Opener, Catch Neck Lock.