So you want to learn the Caveman Necktie. That’s great because it’ll allow you to force your opponents to tap out quickly. What’s so special about it is the fact that you utilize your knee to cause more neck pressure and cause unbearable neck pain.
While this technique isn’t as popular, it certainly is very effective. So yea, not many people are aware of it, which doesn’t mean that it’s not efficacious. Some grapplers believe that unpopular moves—are ineffective. However, I’ve found this to be untrue.
Learning and executing this necktie won’t take a long time. You’ll be able to start using it in real fights and BJJ spars to cause a lot of damage unexpectedly.
Although still unpopular, the Caveman Necktie has grown in prevalence in the last couple of months. So I believe this guide will reach the hands of more BJJ trainees who are eager to learn it the more time passes.
I want you fellas to get on the mat and start rolling already. So without further intro, let’s dive into the 1st part of this article!
What Is the Caveman Necktie?
Sometimes, BJJ coaches invent a move and are able to share it with the rest of the world. Back when BJJ was first constructed, there wasn’t nearly as much knowledge as there is now, obviously. And not only that, we now have the internet on our side, which means we can learn any technique from any coach we desire.
The Caveman Necktie is an agonizing choke primarily taught in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. It was invented by an excellent BJJ coach, Sloan “Caveman” Clymer, hence the origin of the name. This necktie utilizes knee placement against the opponent’s neck.
Can you imagine just how much more pressure you can apply on your opponent’s neck if you also use your knee? You can already cause a fast tap out by solely using your arms. So when you add your knee to the equation, the sky’s the limit.
Sloan “Caveman” Clymer has told the story of his invention, and it’s really funny; here’s how it goes: One of his dad’s training partners came by when he was little and declared he heard of a new move called the Kentucky Necktie, which utilizes placing your knee against the opponent’s neck when you’re in the front headlock position.
Of course, I have never heard of the Kentucky Necktie, as I’m sure you haven’t. However, the Kentucky Necktie lit a new idea in Clymer’s mind. And eventually, he invented the Caveman Necktie because of his dad’s training partner, so we owe this person.
How to Perform the Caveman Necktie
Performing the Caveman Necktie isn’t as difficult as many grapplers think. If you’re eager to learn it—I’m confident this section alone will suffice. In the next paragraph, I’ll be summarizing the core steps you need to know to perform it. Then, we’ll break it down; stay tuned for that!
You want to start in the front headlock position to perform the Caveman Necktie. Then, you step to the side until you’re perpendicular to the opponent. Finally, you bring your shin (the same side as your choking arm) against the opponent’s neck while applying contrary pressure with your arm.
Simple as that. Let’s break this brief summarization down into further detail.
So you first want to start in the front headlock position. Ensure to trap the opponent’s arm and head; this will give you more control.
The next step is to step to the side and place your shin, on the same side of your choking arm, against the opponent’s neck. You then want to apply inward pressure with your knee and outward pressure with your choking arm.
What if that’s not enough to get the opponent to tap?
In that case, you want to sit back and hook your other foot (on the side of your non-choking arm) and apply contrary pressure. This will get you the tap in 99% of instances.
Watch the video below to deepen your understanding of the Caveman Necktie.
Is the Caveman Necktie Effective?
Many neckties BJJ teaches are unbearable for your opponent. I have a suggestion for you: if you want to understand just how painful the Caveman Necktie is, get a training partner you trust and tell him to perform it on you. You’ll experience excruciating amounts of physical pain, which will lead you to appreciate it even further.
The Caveman Necktie is a highly effective choke BJJ teaches because you place your knee against your opponent’s neck, which leads to more pressure and greater physical pain. The best way to describe this choke is nothing less than excruciating and intolerable.
Should I Learn the Caveman Necktie?
Expanding your toolbox in BJJ—is something you want to strive for. The more options you have, the less expected you’ll be as a grappler. And guess what; the more unexpected you are, the more likely you are to win more often.
You should learn the Caveman Necktie, as that will boost your finishing and choking skills. You’ll be able to use it from the front headlock position, which you might find yourself in more often than you think, especially in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ.)
Again, strive for constant learning to become a better grappler. All BJJ Grandmasters and Coral Belts admit they have more to learn. So who are we, whether we’re a white, blue, purple, brown, or black belt to stop learning?
Final Words
Writing this article was truly a blast. I always have a lot of fun researching these types of moves, which are less common to the average BJJ practitioner.
I recommend always striving for constant learning, especially learning about the less-known parts of BJJ. These will open your mind and get you thinking, which was my aim with this article.
The Caveman Necktie, however, isn’t the most effective necktie BJJ offers. If you want to learn about BJJ’s best neckties you want to know about, follow this link to read the complete list and how to perform each one properly.
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Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
BJJ 101 – Nelson Necktie (How to Perform Flawlessly)
German Necktie 101 – BJJ Technique Breakdown
Peruvian Necktie 101: From Beginner to Pro