Introduction to Back Control Hand Fighting

This instructional segment covers essential hand fighting principles when attacking from back control with hooks and seatbelt position. The instructor emphasizes that effective hand fighting directly improves finishing percentages with the rear naked choke by securing better neck positioning and neutralizing the opponent's defensive hands.

Understanding Primary and Secondary Defensive Hands

When an opponent is defending the rear naked choke, they employ two defensive hands: a primary hand positioned opposite the attacking strangle arm, and a secondary hand available for support. The primary defensive hand is the critical target, as controlling it is prerequisite to successfully advancing the strangle hand to the neck.

The Strangle Hand Path: High and Across

The attacker's objective is to drive the strangle hand upward and across the opponent's shoulder, while the defender attempts to push it downward and toward their same side. Hand positioning along this vertical and lateral axis determines control of the hand fight, with higher and more crossed positioning favoring the attacker.

Top Hand Position Dominance

Whoever controls top hand position in the hand fight controls the exchange. Maintaining top hand position over the opponent's hands—particularly the primary defensive hand—allows the attacker to dictate hand placement and create offensive opportunities for neck positioning.

Constant Threat Creation Through Hand Stripping

The most critical habit for back control success is consistently stripping the opponent's primary defensive hand away from the strangle arm. By maintaining a constant threat to the neck, the defender's focus becomes divided between addressing the strangle and executing escapes, significantly reducing their escape success rate.

Preventing Escape Through Strangle Awareness

An opponent focused on defending an imminent neck threat cannot simultaneously concentrate on escape mechanics. The attacker must keep the strangle hand free and positioned to create genuine finishing threat; once this threat disappears, the defender shifts attention to body repositioning and hook escape.

The Hand Fighting Cycle

The hand fight follows a repeating pattern: the attacker strips the primary defensive hand, advances the strangle hand high across the shoulder, the defender responds by using their secondary hand to peel down and regain defensive position, then the cycle repeats. Discipline in constantly re-stripping prevents the opponent from maintaining extended defensive positions.

Regaining Top Position During Defense

When the opponent gains top hand position while peeling down the strangle hand, the attacker must immediately work to reclaim top position. Controlling top position restores the attacker's ability to manage the opponent's hands and re-establish the strangle arm threat.

Anticipating Secondary Defense and Hand Placement

Once the opponent recognizes the strangle arm is free, they will attempt to catch or control it with their secondary hand before the strangle threat develops. Understanding this anticipatory defense allows the attacker to execute timely hand stripping and maintain offensive momentum through the hand fighting sequence.

BACK CONTROL - IMPORTANT TIPS WHEN HAND FIGHTING FROM THE BACK TO SET UP THE REAR NAKED CHOKE

Giancarlo Bodoni

RNC Hand Fighting Escape

3 min read·9 key moments·PT10M5S video

Key Takeaways

•Introduction to Back Control Hand Fighting
•Understanding Primary and Secondary Defensive Hands
•The Strangle Hand Path: High and Across
•Top Hand Position Dominance

BACK CONTROL - IMPORTANT TIPS WHEN HAND FIGHTING FROM THE BACK TO SET UP THE REAR NAKED CHOKE In this video I go over many details and various principles when setting up the rear naked choke from the back or simply retaining the back. There are many hand positions possible but typically the primary concern is creating a consistent threat of the choke to ensure you can better prepare for the positioning of your training partners hands. Hope you all enjoy and find the information helpful! If you want to learn everything I know about chest to back connection, check out my recent Chest to Back Instructional only on BJJ Fanatics! Don't forget to leave a Like, Comment, and Subscribe if you enjoyed! Instructional Content: https://bjjfanatics.com/search?q=Giancarlo+Bodoni Apparel: https://ftu.re/products/dangerous-short-sleeve-rash-guard Becoming Dangerous the Rise of Giancarlo Bodoni is now out on Flograppling.com FloGrappling: https://www.flograppling.com/collections/10323965-becoming-dangerous-the-rise-of-giancarlo-bodoni #bjj #bjjinstructionals #GiancarloBodoni #bodoni #bjjfanatics #jiujitsu #newwave #adcc #BecomingDangerous #flograppling

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about rnc hand fighting escape?

This video covers introduction to back control hand fighting, understanding primary and secondary defensive hands, the strangle hand path: high and across. It provides detailed instruction from Giancarlo Bodoni.

How long does it take to learn rnc hand fighting escape?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 9-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.