Just wondering, I know like two neck cranks but never use them.

Are they any good for your proverbial 97 lb weakling or is it better to stay away from them?

I'm asking because I'm thinking about buying Erik Paulson's "Neck Breaker" but I'm not sure how well that money would be spent. I mean, besides my weird fetish for neck cranks, spine locks, and leg locks being fulfilled, I don't want to waste $70 on something that won't really be useful.

Thanks for the advice,
kaju

Kaju-

I know someone who was of a smaller frame who had a great deal of success tapping people using neck cranks. So much so that no one wanted to roll with him after a while. They work well if done properly, however it is very easy to injure someone with a neck crank and it's not the nicest thing to do to your training partners.

Keep in mind that neck cranks are not allowed in most competitions (at lease the ones I've been too) so the addition of neck cranks to your arsinal would only be for self defense or in house use only. Personaly I think $70 is a bit too much for that, you may want to check out Gene Lebell's "Handbook of Judo" which has a chapter on neck cranks and spine locks. Some are a bit on the low percentage side, but you'll be savings yourself about $45

Coffeefan

Coffee is correct. While it's just another submission, neck cranks tend not to hurt people until it's too late for them to tap. So, it's good to know a few neck cranks and practice them on cooperative people, but when rolling just get the position for the crank but don't crank it and then let it go. I've hurt a couple of guys because they wouldn't tap with neck cranks, so I don't even do them anymore.

Thanks the two of you, both of the posts had a lot of insight in them.

Again, thanks.

I had a douchey partner who would neck crank me in my guard, and dig his elbows into my chest...

Anyhow, you can't really use them in competition, but if your going into MMA, then maybe.

They are worth knowing, but wouldn't it be better off perfecting something higher percentage?

1) ask Cracky
2) I find that in almost any situation where you can go for a neck crank you could just go for a choke instead and chokes don't lower your number of available training partners if they're a split second slow in tapping

I had a douchey partner who would neck crank me in my guard, and dig his elbows into my chest...

Anyhow, you can't really use them in competition, but if your going into MMA, then maybe.

They are worth knowing, but wouldn't it be better off perfecting something higher percentage?

I dunno dude, I just got this weird ass grappling fetish for weird submissions.

I know I should be doing more arm bars and key locks right now because of my uber noobness at BJJ, but... I can't... help... it...

1) ask Cracky

Haha, just ask the catch expert.


2) I find that in almost any situation where you can go for a neck crank you could just go for a choke instead and chokes don't lower your number of available training partners if they're a split second slow in tapping

Sorry for by noobness here (there's a reason why this is in Guantanamo), but what about chokes when mounted? The only attacks on the neck/head that I know of from mount are the side choke, some other choke, and a neck crank.

Kaju-

Are you grappling gi or no gi?

In gi, there are literally hundreds of chokes from mount that don't crank the neck. Your typical blue belt should be able to show you most of them.

In no gi, there aren't as many...but you still have basics like the arm triangle. This is one of my favorites: http://lockflow.com/article_view.php?id=1365

I dunno dude, I just got this weird ass grappling fetish for weird submissions.

I know I should be doing more arm bars and key locks right now because of my uber noobness at BJJ, but... I can't... help... it...

i love weird submissions :)

Kaju, how long have you been training?

If you have been training for under 6 months to a year, and are not exquisitely calm when rolling, then I suggest you abandon your neck crank fetish. As has been pointed out in the thread, they expose your training partners to serious injury. And neck injuries are the worse, they heal very slowly, and often become chronic.

Also, neck cranks that break the neck cause paralysis. Which means if you use one in a situation where you spaz and break someone's neck, you'll be in trouble.

I highly suggest pursuing proficiency with the basics instead of going off pursuing neck cranks and crazy submissions.

I don't think it takes 6 months to get calm when rolling...

But **** yeah, i hate new guys who go 5782709834758092345 miles per hour, when your just like, dude, chill the **** out, we're working position here. Its training, you don't get a pat on the back if you tap me out. for fucks sake don't try to ezekial me in guard. Same thing with your fucking amerikana. Ok, asshole, why the **** are you collar choking me in guard? why teh **** are you so stupid? Seriously? I'm going to arm bar the **** out of you right...now.

Yeah, i have that conversation every single time i roll with new guys...

Some people don't like to train with neck cranks, but they are legal in MMA, so **** everyone who doesn't know'em. It's not really necessary to train with them all the time, but if you're going to do MMA, it's a good idea.

Almost anywhere you can get a choke, you can get a neck crank. Sometimes they don't submit the guy, but they almost always give you leverage to move him. I like using them in conjuction with sweeps, controlling people in their half-guard, defending takedowns, and to aid chokes, armbars, keylocks and kimuras.

Neck cranks are awesome.