If you’ve practiced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for a while then at some point you will have probably gotten a stiff neck. Especially for beginners, sore necks are actually very common and happen a lot. Although this is fairly normal, you should also be careful to stupidly continue training with a bad neck which could make it worse. Instead, it may be wise to take time off when feeling sore as your body can then heal and perform better in the long-run.
However, the point of this article isn’t about how to manage or deal with a stiff neck. Instead, it’s based on how they happen and why. If you can understand the cause of a problem, then you can actively avoid a problem. As the saying goes, knowledge is power and here are a few things to look out for when training and being mindful of protecting your neck.
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Tapping late to neck cranks and chokes
Tapping late to chokes is often encouraged when compared to joint locks. The obvious reasoning for this is that in the worst case scenario, you pass out instead of breaking a bone. Whilst going unconscious may not have the long-term problems that breaking bones brings, it still begs the question, who wants to be that guy? Often in BJJ, people will try to tough out neck cranks and chokes which shows heart, but is also borderline stupid at times. Perhaps if you’re in the final of a competition and need to hold out then it is more acceptable. However, if you train like this daily then it can bring injuries on your neck.
With chokes, you can still have a lot of pressure applied to the back and sides of your neck, as well as possibly even damaging your throat. Whilst you don’t want to tap too early either, always leave room for error and if it starts hurting your neck, you may want to think about tapping. The same goes for neck cranks. Sometimes in BJJ, there’s a discourse that cranks are somehow not valid or a legitimate submission.
Tell that to someone who has suffered at the hands of a twister, or Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov. McGregor was wise to tap, even in a UFC title fight. The reason was that otherwise, he would have broken his jaw, or possibly even neck. Still think they aren’t serious? You would tap to an armbar or shoulder lock, so it’s ideal to treat your neck in a similar fashion. Usually, after a few months, most BJJ practitioners will have learned to tap a little earlier and be less care-free.
When new, your neck muscles will not be as strong
Unless you’re a weightlifter with seriously strong neck muscles beforehand, the likelihood is that your neck will not be conditioned enough when you start training BJJ. This goes with most muscles groups and usually those that are more prone to injury early on are the likes of your ribs, back, shoulders and neck. Because of this, the first 6 months or so mean you’re more likely to get an injury to your neck.
Perhaps getting caught in a headlock as an experienced practitioner, your neck may be able to take the pain without feeling it as much. However, whilst new your muscles may be weak and easier to hurt. This is something that will slowly disappear with time and training. Similarly, you’re more likely to get mat burn in the early stages of training as your feet will be less scarred and hardened. It’s a process that sadly all newcomers have to go through, unless you specifically target your neck beforehand.
Newcomers are more likely to do stupid stuff and risk injury
If ever you’ve seen a black belt get caught in a guillotine choke, you will notice that they don’t panic. Instead of making wild movements, they’re often slow and methodical, slowly escaping inch by inch. Sadly, this isn’t the case for newbies who are more explosive at times, and for the wrong reasons. For instance, at some point, you may learn the basic tripod defense against a guillotine which will massively lessen the impact on your neck. Subtle micro-adjustments with your body’s positioning can also turn the nastiest of cranks into tolerable neck holds.
This knowledge isn’t learned on day one and can take years to learn. With this said, it’s not uncommon to see newbies trying wild, explosive escapes which can actually land them in more trouble. Returning to the guillotine example, sometimes you will see beginners try to roll out of the choke, which could potentially spike their neck.
As the BJJ saying goes, “If you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t try doing it harder or faster.” It may cause more harm than good. Further, even if you do react correctly to chokes and cranks whilst new, the reality is you will also get submitted most at this point, so statistically, you’re more likely to face more cranks and pressure on your neck due to being inexperienced.
Hopefully by reading this article, you will have equipped yourself with the necessary knowledge on how and why newcomers are more likely to get neck soreness in BJJ. By learning these reasons, you may improve your recovery rate by tapping earlier, calming down and simultaneously strengthening your neck. The bad news is that even experienced BJJ practitioners will get injuries and over time they can be chronic. It’s not only your neck you have to worry about either…in BJJ practically all of your body is vulnerable to injuries and aches.
