- As he starts to turn into Johnny, Ed maintains control of Johnny’s inside arm and head by keeping a tight grip with his inside forearm.
- As Ed moves in for the head and arm choke, Johnny sits up in an effort to create a scramble and defend the choke. Ed begins to bring his top foot around and to turn over onto Johnny’s now exposed back.
Ed starts to establish back control by setting his right hook. He does this by wrapping his right leg around Johnny's right thigh and hooking the top of his foot against the inside of Johnny's knee
Ed pulls Johnny down to his side with his control arm as he rolls behind Johnny. He then takes control of Johnny's neck with his right arm.
Ed controls Johnny's head with his right arm and Johnny's left wrist with his left hand as he uses the head control and the hook he set to roll Johnny back to the right in order to claim the second hook on the left side. Ed finishes the rear naked choke by closing his left arm and positioning his closed fist (Ed uses an open hand in the photo for Johnny's comfort during the photo) behind Johnny's head. He then extends his legs to stretch Johnny out and further tighten the choke. Using a closed fist behind the head is more effective than using the back of the open hand as it leaves less space between Johnny's neck and Ed's neck.
- Having rolled Johnny over to secure the second hook with his left leg, Ed releases Johnny’s wrist and moves to close the choke by grabbing his left bicep with his right hand. Notice how Ed does not cross his feet. Crossing the feet in back mount is a common mistake that actually leaves the offender susceptible to a very damaging ankle lock and actually provides less control over the opponents legs.
- Ed finishes the rear naked choke by closing his left arm and positioning his closed fist (Ed uses an open hand in the photo for Johnny’s comfort during the photo) behind Johnny’s head. He then extends his legs to stretch Johnny out and further tighten the choke. Using a closed fist behind the head is more effective than using the back of the open hand as it leaves less space between Johnny’s neck and Ed’s neck.
Recap:
-
When your opponent sits forward to prevent the head and arm and create a scramble situation, control his head and arm with your inside hand and roll onto his back.
-
Roll your opponent onto his side and control his neck with your opposite hand.
-
Set your first hook.
-
Use the hook and head control to roll your opponent over onto his other side.
-
Set your second hook.
-
Clasp your bicep and close the rear naked choke. Use a closed fist behind your opponents head to minimize the space around his neck.
-
Extend your legs to stretch your opponent out and finish the choke
Next week, Ed Perdomo will take us through an arm bar finish from the back when Johnny counters the rear naked choke. This will finish the current three technique arch. As always, MMA Gospel will follow with another arch of at least three attacks in our quest to help build both stronger, more sound fighters and more informed fans.
*Ed Perdomo is a 4th degree black belt in the Korean grappling art of Hapkido and is head instructor of the Hapkido Institute in Morris, IL.
