Neck Crank

What it is

A neck crank twists or compresses the neck instead of cutting off blood, so the tap comes from pain in the jaw or spine rather than from a strangle. It is low percentage, rough on training partners, banned in most gyms and illegal in IBJJF competition at every belt. You should know what one is so you can avoid doing one by accident when a choke slips.

When to use it

• Mostly by accident: a guillotine, rear naked choke or arm triangle that lands on the jaw instead of the neck becomes a crank.
• In some advanced rule sets as a deliberate attack, from the back, the front headlock or the mount.
• Never in a beginner class, and only with explicit permission from your coach and your partner.

How to do it

1. Recognise it before it happens: if a choke feels like it is on the jaw or chin, it is a crank.
2. Stop pulling and reset the choke: move the wrist or forearm back under the chin to the sides of the neck.
3. If the choke cannot be reset, let go and keep position instead of forcing it.
4. If you are on the receiving end, tap early. The neck does not give warning before it is injured.

Key details

• Strangles go on the sides of the neck. Jaw and spine mean you are cranking, not choking.
• Tap early. Neck injuries end training for months, not days.
• Know the rules of your gym and of the event. Under IBJJF rules it is illegal at every belt, and most gyms do not allow it in sparring.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: finishing a bad choke by pulling harder. You hurt your partner and lose a training partner.
• Mistake: not tapping because it only hurts. The next moment it is an injury, not pain.

What they will try

• Chin down and hands on the arm, the same defence as any front or rear strangle.
• If you are under one in training, tap, then talk to your partner about what happened.