The Rear Naked Choke is possibly the most common and dominant choke in all of BJJ and MMA. Because the back is such an aggressive position, it allows for attacks to take place without retaliation. Whilst the RNC is a great way to finish from the back, it is not always available. Against more experienced grapplers, they will often grip fight and defend with everything they’ve got. With this in mind, a different yet similarly effective option may be to opt for the Short Choke.
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What is the Short Choke?
The Short Choke sets up from the same control as the RNC. However, it differs in that it can be done with one hand and doesn’t need to be as deep as the RNC. Because of this, it can have some advantages. For instance, if the opponent blocks off the arm which goes behind their head, you may be able to slip your arm in. With an RNC you would still need to connect both arms together to generate the squeeze. However, it is possible to finish the Short Choke with one arm.
Unlike the RNC, the Short Choke focuses on getting your forearm under the throat, as opposed to the crook of your elbow. Because of this, the initial arm depth doesn’t have to go as far. From here you can pull your forearm back towards you whilst moving it slightly as if slitting the opponents throat. Mechanically the Short Choke is similar to the Bow and Arrow Choke in this sense as it simulates moving a blade across the throat.
Whilst it can be argued that Rear Naked Choke’s can also be finished with one arm, they are significantly harder because the arm needs to be quite deep. Getting a deep one-armed choke is harder than getting a shallow one-armed choke as it takes longer. The next step to finish the Short Choke is to push your head forwards so the opponent cannot push their head back. By eliminating the space you close the distance and trap the opponents head giving them no option to escape.
Using both arms to finish the choke
Ideally, the Short Choke is finished with both hands connected as it adds to greater control. Typically most people would use a gable grip to create this position. The issue with one-armed chokes is that the hand can slip out or the opponent wins the grip fight and strips the grip.
However, if both arms are free then using them both is most ideal. The point is to connect both hands to add greater control and pressure. From here the choke can come on very quickly which should be noted from drilling. Mechanically it differs from the RNC as it’s less of a full arm squeeze and more of a forearm squeeze. Remember to add power to the choke by bringing the clasped hands back whilst squeezing. This will create more force on the throat to secure the submission.
One benefit of doing the Short Choke is that unlike the RNC you don’t need to put your arm over their head. As experienced practitioners may expect this, the Short Choke provides a variation. In BJJ it’s always good to threaten multiple attacks at once to keep the opponent wary and stay unpredictable.
Using the Short Choke as a neck crank
Another benefit of the Short Choke is its explosive power to create a horrible neck crank. For untrained viewers, you may assume a neck crank can be toughed out. However, neck cranks can be unstoppable and can break necks if applied too hard. Because of this, they should not be taken lightly.
One example of the Short Choke neck crank was by Khabib vs McGregor in UFC. Here Khabib didn’t apply a Rear Naked, nor was the position a choke. Instead, it would have broken McGregor’s chin and then possibly his neck if he didn’t tap. Similarly, if the chin is pushed in deep enough it can also start choking the opponent. Regarding this, neck cranks are not a joke and can seriously injure the opponent.
Whilst neck cranks can also be applied from the Rear Naked position, they are easier to get via the Short Choke as less effort is needed to get the arm around the back of the head. By pulling your elbow back whilst applying the crank, it can often lead to a quick and easy tap from the Short Choke.
Attacking the Short Choke from the Crucifix
In Nogi, the Crucifix is harder to finish compared to in the Gi. This is due to the absence of collars which means you can’t apply a Bow and Arrow from the back. Instead, you can slip in your forearm to create a Short Choke. As previously mentioned, a benefit of the Short Choke is that it can be done via a one-armed grip. As the Crucifix eliminates both arms of the opponent, it means their neck is open to attack. Remember, a key detail of finishing the Short Choke is to make the throat-slitting movement which will make the choke harsher and deeper.
Summary
Overall the Short Choke is a nice option from the back position. Whilst it may not be as common as the Rear Naked, it can be argued that it’s more effective in terms of sneakily slipping the choke in. Not only this but it can be used to generate huge force whilst cranking and can also be done in the Crucifix position. Because of this, it’s a submission all should look into as it offers an alternative finish whilst controlling the back.
