Does Anyone Know How to Properly Crank a Neck? (Catch Wrestling vs. Modern No-Gi)
In the latest episode of the Catch Wrestling Alliance Podcast, Coach Raul dives into a hot trend currently making waves in high-level No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: the sudden rediscovery of pins and neck cranks.
While prominent No-Gi coaches and competitors are finally embracing immobilization and spinal pressure, there remains a massive gap between mainstream perception and traditional Catch-as-Catch-Can mechanics.
1. The BJJ “Discovery” of Pins and Neck Cranks
Across high-profile submission grappling circuits and modern instructional camps, grapplers are emphasizing pinning opponents flat to open up submissions [06:49]. While Raul welcomes the shift, he points out the historical irony:
Traditional BJJ rules historically de-emphasized pins and takedowns to deliberately distance itself from Judo [08:18].
Decades of sport-specific rules (such as IBJJF restrictions against twisting neck cranks) caused an entire generation of grapplers to overlook the deep mechanics of pinning pressure and spinal locks [09:57].
2. A Discomfort Tap Is Not Always a Proper Neck Crank
Raul breaks down why many modern tournament submissions billed as "neck cranks" are actually incomplete [12:08]:
The Common Mistake: In many matches, someone wraps an arm over their opponent's chin from a rear naked choke setup and twists [12:43]. Because the opponent's torso and shoulders are free to rotate with the torque, it creates pain and panic, but lacks structural isolation [12:50].
The Authentic Catch Mechanic: True Catch neck cranks—such as Roy Wood's classic crossface chicken wing—isolate the shoulders completely [13:20]. By anchoring your posting hand behind their shoulder blade and driving the face/nose backward toward their own spine, the neck reaches its end range of motion with nowhere for the body to relieve the pressure [13:51].
3. Neck Cranks Aren’t Just Submissions—They’re Steering Wheels
In wrestling, submissions and rides serve dual purposes. A neck crank doesn't simply exist to elicit a tap; it serves to force movement [24:25]. If an opponent refuses to tap, turning their cervical spine to its end range leaves them with only two choices: tap or turn [25:22]. That forced motion directly feeds into pins, turnover transitions, and secondary locks [25:27].
4. The Game-Changer: The "Pin First" Mindset for Guard Passing
If you want an immediate competitive edge in No-Gi sparring or competition:
Stop obsessing over "passing the guard." [29:02]
Start thinking about putting their two shoulder blades flat on the mat. [27:11]
When you approach an open or seated guard with the single objective of pinning your opponent rather than playing the typical pass-and-re-guard meta, you naturally collapse their frames and blast past their guard lines [29:15]. Once pinned, ride pressure (like the head-and-arm ride / scarf hold or chest compressions) wears them out until the submission presents itself [14:55].
CWA Community & Academy Updates
No-Gi Judo Content Dropped: Coach Juan from Hollywood Judo recently taught a specialized No-Gi Judo seminar for CWA. The complete footage has been added for YouTube Channel Members, members of the CWA Academy, and owners of the standalone No-Gi Judo course [02:13].
LA Classes: Catch wrestling classes run regularly at Fight Science MMA in Los Angeles. Drop-ins and out-of-town grapplers are always welcome (reach out via Instagram before dropping in) [00:36].
Upcoming Courses: Look out for Volume 3 of Coach Raul's Pressure Pass System, this time diving into passes and rides stemming from headlock throw mechanics [30:58].
