The lost neck cranks and spine locks of Judo 首関節技
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Spine Cranks·Chadi
This video details the neck cranks and spine locks of old Judo. Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/chadijud…
Spine Cranks
SubFamily脊椎捻り(Sekitsui Hineri)
TraditionalTranslation: spine cranks
Overview
Spine cranks apply rotational or lateral bending force to the vertebral column, twisting or side-bending the spine beyond its normal range. [1],[2] The twister (lateral rotation of the thoracolumbar spine) is the most famous spine crank. Other spine cranks include the banana split (hip and spine abduction) and various torture-rack-style submissions from back control. [3],[4],[5]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Spine cranks apply rotational force to the spinal column, attacking through twisting motions that threaten disc and ligament damage. [1]
Lineage
Spine cranks appear in catch wrestling (twister) and were popularised in modern grappling by Eddie Bravo. [1]
Competition Record
The twister (a spinal crank) was made famous by Eddie Bravo and finished by Korean Zombie in the UFC. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Isolation of a joint and application of force beyond its natural range of motion
Joints Involved — Target joint (hyperextension or rotation), adjacent joints (stabilised to prevent escape)
Force Vector — Two-point control — one anchor stabilises while the other drives the joint past its normal limit
Leverage Principle — Grip configuration and body positioning create a mechanical advantage that multiplies applied force
Position & Entry
From dominant position — Isolate the target limb, secure the controlling grip, and apply force beyond the joint's range of motion
From guard (bottom) — Control the limb from guard position, configure the submission grip, and apply the lock
From transition — During a scramble or positional change, catch the exposed limb and lock the submission
Variants
Standard variation — primary grip configuration and finishing angle
Gi variation — using the gi material for grip assistance and control
No-gi variation — adapted grips for submission grappling without the gi
Transition variation — applied during a positional change or scramble
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Spine cranks apply rotational or lateral force to the spinal column; high neurological risk
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Expert
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
✓Spine cranks rotate or bend the vertebral column beyond its natural range — attacking the spine through torsion, lateral flexion, or hyperflexion/extension (Paulson, Enter the Snake Pit, 2018)
✓The twister (Eddie Bravo's signature) is the most famous spine crank in modern grappling: it applies lateral flexion combined with rotation to the thoracic and cervical spine
✓Neck cranks target the cervical spine specifically: the can opener, crossface crank, and guillotine all can function as neck cranks depending on application
✓The severity of spine cranks varies enormously: a mild crossface crank creates discomfort, while a fully applied twister can cause disc herniation and nerve damage
✓Spine cranks are the most controversial submissions in grappling: advocates argue they are legitimate techniques, critics argue the injury risk is unacceptable
✓Defence against spine cranks prioritises alignment: keep the spine straight and resist rotation — once the spine is bent or twisted, the crank becomes extremely dangerous
✓Catch wrestling's 'ride' system included numerous spine cranks: the crossface crank, half nelson crank, and reverse nelson all attacked the spine from top control
Common Mistakes
!Applying spine cranks at any significant force in training — these techniques cause permanent spinal damage; demonstrate only, never apply forcefully
!Not distinguishing between neck cranks and chokes — many techniques (guillotine, can opener) function as both; know which mechanism you're applying
!Training spine cranks without proper supervision — beginners should not attempt spine cranks; they require advanced understanding of biomechanics and control
!Applying spine cranks when they're illegal — check the rule set; most competitions ban spinal cranks
!Resisting spine cranks instead of tapping — the spine has no margin for error; tap immediately when any spinal rotation or bend is applied
!Using spine cranks as punishment — applying cranks to hurt training partners is unethical and creates a toxic training environment
!Assuming spine cranks are only cranks — many spinal techniques combine crank and choke elements; the submission may be more dangerous than it appears
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
Koryu Jujutsu — Fusen-ryu ne-waza; Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu
1BookKoryu Jujutsu — Fusen-ryu ne-waza; Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu
Japanese terminology sourced from Koryu Jujutsu — Fusen-ryu ne-waza; Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu
2Oral TraditionKoryu Jujutsu (Classical Japanese Jujutsu)
Classical schools: Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu, Takenouchi-ryu, etc.
3Oral TraditionFusen-ryu Jujutsu
Classical ground-fighting jujutsu school
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
5OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
6CitationKoryu Jujutsu — Fusen-ryu ne-waza; Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu
Japanese terminology sourced from Koryu Jujutsu — Fusen-ryu ne-waza; Tenjin Shin'yo-ryu
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip strength, joint isolation ability, positional control
Favours
strong forearms and stable base
Key muscles
forearm flexors, core stabilisers, hip muscles for base
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the first thing you should do when setting up a spine crank from mount position?
According to Chadi's analysis of Elio Gracie's classical Japanese teachings, you should split your legs first to establish a better base, rather than immediately committing your hands.
How does the Spine Cranks work?
Spine cranks apply rotational or lateral bending force to the vertebral column, twisting or side-bending the spine beyond its normal range. The twister (lateral rotation of the thoracolumbar spine) is the most famous spine crank.
Where does the Spine Cranks come from?
Spine cranking techniques appear in koryu jujutsu schools including Fusen-ryū and Tenjin Shin'yō-ryū. Modern spine cranks, particularly the twister, were adapted from wrestling into BJJ by Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet system.
Is the Spine Cranks 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 Spine Cranks?
Danger rating 9/10. Spine cranks apply rotational or lateral force to the spinal column; high neurological risk
How do I set up the Spine Cranks?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the Spine Cranks?
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 Spine Cranks?
Common variants: Standard variation (primary grip configuration and finishing angle); Gi variation (using the gi material for grip assistance and control); No-gi variation (adapted grips for submission grappling without the gi); Transition variation (applied during a positional change or scramble).
How effective is the Spine Cranks in competition?
The twister (a spinal crank) was made famous by Eddie Bravo and finished by Korean Zombie in the UFC.
What are common mistakes when doing the Spine Cranks?
Top errors to watch for: Applying spine cranks at any significant force in training — these techniques cause permanent spinal damage; demonstr… / Not distinguishing between neck cranks and chokes — many techniques (guillotine, can opener) function as both; know w… / Training spine cranks without proper supervision — beginners should not attempt spine cranks; they require advanced u… / Applying spine cranks when they're illegal — check the rule set; most competitions ban spinal cranks.
What are other names for the Spine Cranks?
The Spine Cranks is also known as Sekitsui Hineri, Spinal Crank, Back Crank, Spine Twist.