Neck Crank

A Neck Crank is a submission technique in grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) that targets the opponent’s neck by applying force to bend, twist, or compress it beyond its natural range of motion. This submission can result in significant discomfort or injury to the cervical spine if not executed carefully. While effective, neck cranks are often seen as a more aggressive submission and are restricted in some competitions due to their potential to cause injury.


Key Characteristics

Type Spinal Lock/Neck Submission

Primary Target

  • Cervical spine and neck

Mechanism

  • Forcefully twisting, bending, or compressing the neck

Risk

  • Can cause severe pain, injury to the cervical vertebrae, or soft tissue damage

Types of Neck Cranks

Twisting Neck Crank

  • Applies rotational force to the neck.
  • Often seen in submissions like the Twister, where the spine is twisted laterally.

Compression Neck Crank

  • Involves compressing the opponent’s neck by forcing their chin toward their chest.
  • Common in positions like the Can Opener.

Sideways Bending Neck Crank

  • Bends the neck sideways beyond its natural range of motion.
  • Often seen in certain headlocks or variations of guillotines.

Common Neck Crank Submissions

Twister

  • A spinal lock that twists the entire spine, focusing on the cervical and thoracic regions. Often applied from the Truck Control.

Can Opener

  • A compression crank where the attacker pulls the opponent’s head toward their chest while controlling their upper body.

Crucifix Neck Crank

  • From the Crucifix position, the opponent’s neck is bent sideways by pulling their head while controlling their arms.

Face Crank (Crossface Crank)

Power Half Nelson

  • Common in wrestling, this technique can be adapted to BJJ to crank the opponent’s neck sideways while controlling their torso.

How to Execute a Neck Crank Safely

Control the Opponent’s Body

  • Isolate their upper body or head to prevent movement.
  • Secure tight Connections to limit escapes.

Apply Force Gradually

  • Slowly increase pressure to give the opponent a chance to tap.
  • Avoid jerking motions, which can cause unintended injury.

Maintain Proper Alignment

  • Your body positioning should maximize leverage while minimizing unnecessary force.

Positions to Apply Neck Cranks

From Guard

From Back Control

From Side Control or Mount

  • Face cranks or crossface cranks can be set up while controlling the opponent’s upper body.

From Turtle Guard

  • Neck cranks can be applied by catching the opponent’s head during transitions or scrambles.

Common Mistakes

Rushing the Submission

  • Applying force too quickly can cause unnecessary injury and may result in disqualification in competition.

Ignoring Control

  • Without controlling the opponent’s body, they can escape or counter the submission.

Misalignment

  • Poor positioning reduces the effectiveness of the crank and increases the risk of injury to both parties.

Safety and Ethical Considerations

  • Neck cranks are dangerous if applied improperly. They should only be practiced under the supervision of an experienced coach or instructor.
  • Many competitions restrict neck cranks for safety reasons, especially at lower belt levels.

Strategy

The Neck Crank can be an effective submission when used as part of a controlled and methodical attack. However, due to its aggressive nature, it’s often better to use it as a complement to other submissions, such as Chokes, to maintain versatility in your game.

Tip

Neck cranks require finesse and control. Always prioritize safety by applying pressure slowly and respecting your opponent’s tap to avoid injury.

Positioning

The Neck Crank can be executed from various positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and grappling, especially those that provide control over the opponent's head and neck. Below are the primary positions where neck cranks are commonly applied:


Scenario

Execution

  • Transition to a Twister by trapping one leg (using the Truck Control) and applying rotational force to the opponent’s spine and neck.

Side Control

Scenario

  • You are in Side Control with tight control over the opponent’s head and upper body.

Execution

  • Use a Crossface to turn the opponent’s head and neck sideways while applying shoulder pressure. This can lead to a face crank or compression neck crank.

Mount

Scenario

  • You are in Mount with the opponent flattened on their back.

Execution

  • Apply a Power Half Nelson or a face crank by gripping their head or jaw and twisting or bending their neck.

Scenario

Execution

  • Use a Can Opener by gripping the back of their head and pulling it toward their chest while controlling their posture.

Truck Position

Scenario

  • You’ve transitioned to the Truck Control and trapped one of the opponent’s legs.

Execution

  • Use the Twister to twist the opponent’s spine and neck by isolating their head and forcing rotation.

Scenario

  • The opponent is in Turtle Guard, defending against your attacks.

Execution

  • Use a headlock or crossface to apply downward or sideways pressure to their neck, creating a neck crank.

Scenario

Execution

  • Use the Crossface to turn their head sideways while applying shoulder pressure to their neck.

Standing Position

Scenario

  • You are grappling in a clinch or wrestling scenario.

Execution

  • Transition into a standing neck crank by gripping the opponent’s head and applying pressure downward or twisting their neck. Variations include guillotine-style cranks or headlocks.

Guard Passing

Scenario

  • While executing a Stack Pass, the opponent’s head and neck are bent forward due to the pressure.

Execution

  • Apply a compression neck crank by continuing to drive their head toward their chest while controlling their legs and hips.

Scenario

  • You have the opponent trapped in a Crucifix.

Execution

  • Isolate their head with one arm and apply a twisting or sideways neck crank while maintaining control over their arms and upper body.

North-South Position

Scenario

Execution

  • Trap their head between your arm and body and apply downward or rotational pressure to crank their neck.

Scramble Positions

Scenario

  • During transitions or scrambles where the opponent’s head is exposed.

Execution

  • Catch their head in a Front Headlock and apply a neck crank by twisting or compressing their neck.

Key Factors Across Positions

Head Control

  • Dominating the opponent’s head is crucial for isolating their neck and applying the crank.

Body Control

  • Control their torso or hips to prevent escapes and generate leverage.

Gradual Pressure

  • Apply pressure slowly to avoid injury and allow your opponent to tap safely.
Warning

Neck cranks target vulnerable areas like the cervical spine and require precise control and technique to avoid serious injury. Always practice them with experienced partners and under supervision.

YouTube Videos