Josh Barnett did the unthinkable at Metamoris 4: he completely dominated and submitted Dean Lister. Lister hadn’t been submitted in competition in 17 years. He used a what looked like a neck crank from kesa gatame/ scarf hold position.

Erik Paulson (Barnett’s coach) explained in a video that it’s not a neck crank. It actually puts pressure on the chest and prevents breathing.

Dr Kickass, Mike Piekarski, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Former MMA Fighter, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt. (Follow him on instagram) explains the mechanics and if it’s a chest choke, neck crank or choke?

If jiu jitsu is considered the ‘gentle art’, many consider catch wrestling the ‘violent art’ and this submission captures the essence of catch wrestling well. The submission gained fame when @joshlbarnett used it to submit Dean Lister, a grappler who prior had not been submitted in competition for almost 15 years. This technique is unique and works by compressing an opponent’s chest so they are unable to inhale enough oxygen.

There are several structures involved in the mechanics of breathing. Inspiration (inhaling) is when the ribs elevate so oxygen is drawn into the lungs and expiration (exhaling) is when the ribs depress as oxygen leaves the lungs. The diaphragm is the primary structure involved in breathing as the diaphgram contracts inhalation occurs while being assisted by the rows of muscles in between the ribs (external intercostals). In most cases this is sufficient for resting breathing, however during strenous activity other muscles assist, such as the sternocleidomastoid, scalenes (anterior, middle, posterior) and serratus anterior.

The mechanics of this submission essentially make it too difficult for someone to drawn in a sufficient amount of oxygen. When the attacker locks in the position the head will be elevated while the attacker’s body compresses the chest. Resting breathing mechanics will be insufficient and the accessory muscles will assist, however hese muscles were not designed to elevate the ribs with a body on top. As the defender fails escapes and has to defend neck cranks and/or arm locks more oxygen will be required. This creates the sensation of drowning as your body gradually becomes unable to inhale a sufficient amount of oxygen.

This is one of the most underrated technique in grappling as it is incredibly miserable and demoralizing. This technique is not seen often in sport jiu jitsu as it takes time to cook your opponent and let them run out of oxygen however do not underestimate the vicious scarf hold chest choke!

If you are interested in learning more about Catch Wrestling, specifically as it pertains to competition grappling, you should check out Neil Melanson.  If you haven’t heard of Neil Melanson you’ve probably heard of the various champions he’s coached (Blackzilians team and Extreme Couture)

Neil learned his skills from the Hayastan Grappling system, developed by Gokor Chivechyan and Gene LeBell.  He is considered one of the foremost experts on Catch Wrestling.  For more information about Neil’s impressive grappling style, pick up his DVD set in which he covers some of his coveted techniques.