ARE NECK CRANKS LEGAL IN BJJ?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an extremely complicated and diverse form of Martial Arts. It originated back in the early 1900s when it was developed to become a comprehensive self-defense combat system. Many of the early techniques included extremely dangerous maneuvers like chokeholds and various joint locks. As the art evolved over the last century, it has been watered down into more of a sporting aspect, forcing many changes to the guidelines, and rule sets of this formidable art. Many of its once former brutal techniques have since been deemed illegal in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition. Although some competitions still do allow a high calibre of extremely dangerous submission moves.

What This Article Covers:

• The Modern form of BJJ
• Are Neck Cranks Allowed in BJJ
• Should Neck Cranks Be Allowed in BJJ
• Are There Many Illegal Moves in BJJ
• Self Defense for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
• Why Fundamentals Are Important

Most people that know about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have found out through the platform of Mixed Martial Arts. The UFC has bred many athletic champions that have utilised a range of diverse skills, including controlling aspects, and submission finishes from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. A multitude of fight fans watches the UFC on a daily basis, thinking about how brutal it can be, as they begin to wonder if Jiu Jitsu is safe to train. Even though there is a broad range of dangers attached to BJJ, it still is a relatively safe Martial Art to practise. There are safeguards in place at Jiu Jitsu academies that will help students feel comfortable, and train with the freedom of not getting injured. Although this doesn't always go to plan, as there will always be accidents. Suffering from injuries can be considerably increased due to the students who are veering out of the safe zone, as they steer towards the more dangerous and brutal techniques that can be deemed illegal.

MOVES YOUR INSTRUCTOR NEVER SHOWED YOU is the deep dark archive put together by Malachy Friedman to help you unlock some of the forbidden secrets of BJJ!

THE MODERN FORM OF BJJ

Nowadays Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has become modernised, as western culture has left its mark on this Brazilian art. Since BJJ showcased its power to the United States of America in the early 1990s, many American athletes have put significant development into the arts' core functionality. American culture is famously known for its wrestling ferocity, as the combination of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and wrestling, has formed the new hybrid version of No Gi Jiu Jitsu, or submission grappling. The rise of No Gi tournaments like the ADCC, Who's Number One, Fight 2 Win, and Polaris, has propelled Martial Art even further into the realms of excellence. Throughout this new era of BJJ, the advanced mechanisms of the leg lock system have seemed to dominate the landscape. Many practitioners are studying hard to catch up to the trendsetters like Gordon Ryan, Andre Galvao, Craig Jones, and Lachlan Giles, as they set the benchmark for the new age of intricate and deadly grappling. There is a multitude of highly advanced, and technical submissions that have made their way into the limelight of BJJ. Some of these maneuvers are extremely dangerous, and difficult to train, which is why they have been deemed illegal BJJ moves in some competitions. Even though the landscape has slowly changed, the goal still remains the same, as high-level athletes are fighting for supremacy, as they showcase their skills in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

ARE NECK CRANKS ALLOWED IN BJJ

Under the IBJJF and UAEJJF guidelines, dangerous moves like neck cranks are deemed illegal. When a practitioner applies a choke there cannot be any twisting elements in the neck, as this could cause significant pain, and could even result in a broken neck. Using neck cranks even in training can be extremely dangerous, as training partners inside an academy need to look after each other's well-being. There are different kinds of neck cranks like the can opener, which is when a practitioner pulls their opponent's head up while they are sitting on their guard. Even though it puts the practitioner in danger of being arm barred, this move can cause significant injury to the opponent. There are other neck cranks like the twister, which is a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu created spinal crank, but it can also put a significant crank on the neck of the opponent. Other neck cranks are basically any choke where the practitioner twists the neck upwards, downwards, to the side, or in a circular motion.

There are certain competitions that do allow neck cranks, this includes many new-age No Gi grappling tournaments. Some organisations believe in giving practitioners a full range of submission maneuvers to utilise, as it is up to the opponent to tap out. This kind of ideology has created a divide in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as many practitioners believe submissions like these are just too dangerous to be legal. Utilising neck cranks in competition, or training can significantly shorten the long Jeverdy of a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. It is a good idea to steer clear of reefing onto neck crank maneuvers, while training with other practitioner's inside their own academy, this is the best way to keep safe from injury. Practitioners should stick to using these kinds of dangerous moves only in competitions that allow neck cranks. 

SHOULD NECK CRANKS BE ALLOWED IN BJJ

There have been many debates about the legitimacy of neck crank submissions in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Many of the new age athletes are all for the inclusion of neck crank submissions like the twister, the full nelson, the crucifix crank, and the can opener. Many other traditional athletes will argue about the dangers involved with using neck crank submissions. There are legitimate arguments on both sides of the coin, meaning if an opponent taps out correctly then a neck crank would be just like any other normal choke. This is where the problem lies, as a neck crank can cause significant damage even in a short amount of time. This begs the question, should neck cranks be legal in BJJ, and although there cannot be a definitive answer, the element of danger involved really does outweigh the benefit of using this submission. A common practice is to way up what is called the risk versus reward system, meaning if the risk is greater than the reward, then it is not worth doing, but if the reward is greater than the risk, then perhaps it's a good avenue to explore. In any case, using dangerous submissions like neck cranks should definitely be left to the more advanced practitioners, as beginners should stick to the fundamental principles before trying dangerous maneuvers like these. 

ARE THERE MANY ILLEGAL MOVES IN BJJ

There are quite a few moves in BJJ that are illegal to execute, as practitioners will need to learn different rule sets for different competitions, so they can avoid being disqualified from tournaments. There are substandard moves that are illegal like eye gouging, head butting, and finger manipulation and students will often ask does BJJ have striking. Unless a student is competing in Combat Jiu-Jitsu then strikes like punches, slaps, and kicks are all illegal in BJJ. Students will also question can you slam in jiu-jitsu, as this can be a dangerous aspect, which is why it is illegal in all divisions and competitions. There are other illegal moves like reaping the knee, which is when a practitioner threads their leg around their opponent's leg, from inside to outside, with their leg crossing over the hip line. This can be extremely dangerous, as it can cause an immense amount of pressure on the knee joint. 

Different organisations have different techniques that are legal and illegal. Usually, new students will ask are heel hooks legal in BJJ, as the IBJJF will only allow heel hooks in the brown and black belt divisions in No Gi only, as they are completely illegal in the Gi. Executing toeholds with outward pressure are also illegal in IBJJF competition, as is any kind of neck or spinal crank. The scissor leg takedown is also illegal, as it can cause severe knee injury, due to the hyperextension caused by the jumping attack. Blue and purple belts have fewer moves they are allowed to attack with, as it is illegal for them to use any kind of heel hooks, toeholds, kneebars, calf slicers, or bicep slicers. This is for a good reason, as lower-ranked practitioners can be traditionally reckless in their attempt to submit to their opponents. White belts are also unable to use a wide range of movements, and this is because they can be reckless, stubborn, egotistical, and have unconditioned bodies. It is illegal for white belts to jump guard at any time during their matches, as this can result in opponents breaking their legs. It is also illegal for white belts to execute wrist locks, or leave their head to the outside of their opponent as they attempt a single-leg takedown.

Not all organisations like the IBJJF have the same standard of adjudication. There are many international No Gi tournaments like the ADCC, and Grappling Industries, that are governed by different rule sets, allowing practitioners a greater range of techniques. In the ADCC the rules allow for neck cranks and spinal cranks like the twister, and the can opener. There are however some different moves that are deemed illegal like;no full nelson holds, no crucifix neck crank holds, no rolling forward when an opponent is on their back, no spiking opponents onto their head, and no slamming opponents unless the submission is fully locked on. Grappling Industries have different rule sets again, as submission maneuvers like heel hooks and neck cranks are legal in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The only illegal moves in Grappling Industries at the brown and black belt level is no slamming, or striking of any sort. At the blue to purple belt levels, practitioners are not allowed to execute moves like the twister, neck cranks, heel hooks, or the scissor leg takedown. This is pure because they do not have the experience necessary to execute these moves in a safe manner.

SELF DEFENSE FOR BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was created as a self-defense combat system that was designed by Helio Gracie. Over the years as the art has developed, it has begun to turn toward more of a sporting aspect, with many high-profile international tournaments. There have been many athletes divided in the world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu who say the art has become watered down, due to a high element of stalling tactics in the sports-branded version of Jiu Jitsu. In recent times the self-defense element has begun to make a significant comeback, with many high-profile instructors teaching more real-life hand-to-hand combat.

Self-defense Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a high component of moves that are illegal in sports Jiu Jitsu. Many of the self-defense techniques involve using neck cranks, and other bone-breaking maneuvers. There is also an element of striking involved, as utilising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu on the streets has seen a necessity for combining striking and grappling elements. Many of the self-defense techniques involve slamming opponents on the ground with movements like the hip throw, and suplex style throws, using double under hooks. Utilising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a form of self-defense has become one of the premier forms of combat in the United States of America, and across the world.

WHY FUNDAMENTALS ARE IMPORTANT

Understanding fundamental principles in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an extremely important aspect if practitioners want to become exceptional within the art. Nowadays some practitioners will spend too much time watching YouTube maneuvers and practising high calibre, and illegal submission moves. This can be detrimental to a practitioner's long-term game, as fundamentals are what will build a long-lasting, and solid foundation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

MOVES YOUR INSTRUCTOR HAS NEVER SHOWED YOU is the deep dark archive put together by Malachy Friedman to help you unlock some of the forbidden secrets of BJJ!

In order to build a highly proficient game plan, practitioners need to start by mastering many of the foundational movements that make BJJ such an intricate Martial Art. It's always the little things like utilising your frames or knowing when to secure an under hook or even understanding the mechanics of how to change levels or angles in all positions of BJJ. Once a practitioner can master this craft, and start to build a highly proficient game style, only then can they properly learn high-level movements like heel hooks, leg lock entanglements, or other submissions that involve highly dangerous elements?

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