BJJ Graph

Front Headlock Submission System | BJJ Submission Guide | BJJ Graph

Oct 25, 202513 min read

Front Headlock Submission System

bjjsubmissionchokechainfront_headlockguillotinedarceanaconda

Submission Properties

  • Submission ID: S103
  • Submission Name: Front Headlock Submission System
  • Alternative Names: Front Headlock Choke Chain, Headlock Attack Framework
  • Starting Position: Front Headlock, Sprawl, Top Turtle
  • Ending State: Submission (Opponent taps out or loses consciousness)
  • Success Probability: Beginner (20%), Intermediate (50%), Advanced (70%)
  • Risk Level: Medium - requires precise control to maintain position during transitions
  • Energy Cost: High - demands sustained control and multiple adjustments
  • Submission Type: Choke (Strangulation)
  • Execution Complexity: High - involves chaining multiple submission attempts

Submission Description

The Front Headlock Submission System is a versatile and effective attacking framework in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, applicable in both gi and no-gi contexts, with significant relevance to MMA and combat sports. It begins with the fundamental front headlock position—a dominant control where the practitioner secures the opponent’s head and typically one arm—and branches into multiple high-percentage submission pathways like the Guillotine, D’arce, and Anaconda chokes based on defensive reactions. The system’s strength lies in its connectivity, allowing seamless transitions between submissions as opponents defend, creating a continuous offensive pressure that exploits compromised positions. This framework bridges standing and ground grappling, offering clinch-based control and submission opportunities, making it invaluable in transition-heavy scenarios.

⚠️ Safety Considerations

Injury Risks

Front headlock submissions can cause multiple serious injuries if applied improperly:

  • Loss of Consciousness (Severity: High, Recovery: immediate to hours; brain damage if held post-tap)
  • Cervical Spine Injury (Severity: Critical, Recovery: months to permanent; from cranking or twisting head/neck)
  • Neck Strain/Whiplash (Severity: Medium to High, Recovery: 2-6 weeks; from sudden directional changes)
  • Trachea Damage (Severity: High, Recovery: weeks to months; from air choke applications)

Application Speed

  • Apply submissions SLOWLY and progressively over 3-5 seconds minimum
  • Never crank or twist the neck during transitions between choke variations
  • Allow partner time to recognize which choke is being applied (Guillotine vs D’arce vs Anaconda)
  • Maintain constant awareness of partner’s tap signals during all transitions

Tap Signals

Partners must establish clear tap signals before training:

  • Verbal Tap: Saying “tap” loudly (critical as arms may be trapped in various choke configurations)
  • Physical Tap: Tapping partner’s body, mat, or own body (minimum 2 rapid taps)
  • Emergency Signal: Foot tapping on mat or repeated verbal “tap” if all limbs controlled

Release Protocol

When partner taps:

  1. Immediately release all choking pressure and head/neck control
  2. Unwind arm configuration (guillotine/D’arce/Anaconda) carefully without jerking
  3. Allow partner to adjust head and neck to comfortable position
  4. Move to side and monitor breathing, consciousness, and neck mobility
  5. Verbally check: “You okay? Neck feel alright? Dizzy?”
  6. Observe for 15-20 seconds for full recovery, watch for signs of disorientation or neck pain

Training Progression

  • Weeks 1-2: Front headlock control and positioning only, no submission attempts
  • Weeks 3-4: Individual choke setups with zero resistance (10% speed, tap to position before pressure)
  • Weeks 5-8: Light resistance, practice transitioning between variations (40% speed, tap at 30% pressure)
  • Weeks 9-12: Realistic defensive reactions, controlled finishes (60% speed, tap at 50% pressure)
  • Ongoing: Full system flow only with experienced partners who understand all three chokes

Partner Communication

  • Establish tap signals before drilling, emphasizing verbal for trapped arm scenarios
  • Communicate neck comfort during each variation: “neck okay?” between transitions
  • Discuss which choke partner is least familiar with for extra caution
  • Agree on maximum pressure for each choke type (typically 50-70% of full pressure)
  • Monitor partner’s face color and body tension - release immediately if body goes limp or color changes

Visual Execution Sequence

Detailed description for clear visualization of the submission in action:

Starting from a front headlock position after sprawling on an opponent’s takedown attempt, you secure their head with a chin-strap grip using your near arm, controlling their near arm with your far arm, while keeping your chest tight to their upper back and legs sprawled to block their advance. You initiate the primary attack with a Guillotine choke, pulling their head up by adjusting your grip to a high-elbow position, wrapping your far arm around their neck to connect with your near arm, and sitting back or stepping to the side to apply pressure. If the opponent lowers their head or postures to defend, you transition to the D’arce choke by threading your far arm under their near armpit and around their neck, reaching for a figure-four grip with your near arm, driving your shoulder into their back to maintain control. Should they turn away from the D’arce pressure, you switch to the Anaconda choke, sliding your near arm over their shoulder and around their neck from the opposite side, securing it with your far arm in a gable grip, then rolling them onto their side or back. With any choke structure in place, you step over with your near leg to a modified side control or north-south position, squeezing your elbows together and using shoulder pressure to compress their neck and trapped arm against their carotid artery. If resistance persists, you adjust dynamically between Guillotine, D’arce, and Anaconda based on their movement, or transition to a complementary attack like North-South Choke, maintaining relentless pressure until the opponent taps out or the submission is complete.

Template: “From front headlock after sprawl, secure head with chin-strap grip, control near arm, chest tight, legs sprawled. Initiate Guillotine, pull head up with high-elbow grip, wrap far arm around neck, sit back or step to side. If opponent lowers head, switch to D’arce, thread far arm under armpit around neck, figure-four grip, shoulder pressure. If opponent turns away, transition to Anaconda, slide near arm over shoulder around neck, gable grip, roll to side or back. Step over to modified side control or north-south, squeeze elbows, compress neck with shoulder. Adjust between chokes or to North-South based on resistance, hold until submission.”

Execution Steps

  1. Establish control from a starting position like front headlock, sprawl, or top turtle, securing the opponent’s head with a chin-strap grip and controlling their near arm to limit movement.
  2. Initiate the primary attack with a Guillotine choke, adjusting to a high-elbow grip, wrapping your far arm around their neck to connect with your near arm, and sitting back or stepping to the side to apply pressure.
  3. If the opponent defends by lowering their head or posturing, transition to the D’arce choke by threading your far arm under their near armpit and around their neck, aiming for a figure-four grip with your near arm.
  4. Should the opponent turn away from D’arce pressure, switch to the Anaconda choke by sliding your near arm over their shoulder and around their neck from the opposite side, securing with a gable grip, then rolling them onto their side or back.
  5. Step over with your near leg to a modified side control or north-south position to optimize leverage for the chosen choke, maintaining heavy hip pressure to block escapes.
  6. Apply pressure by squeezing your elbows together, using shoulder drive to compress their neck and trapped arm against their carotid artery, adjusting angles as needed for effectiveness.
  7. Dynamically adjust between Guillotine, D’arce, and Anaconda based on defensive movements, or transition to a complementary submission like North-South Choke, holding until the opponent taps or submission is achieved.

Key Details

  • Head-Arm Control: Establishing and maintaining control over the opponent’s head and one arm is critical.
  • Compression Mechanics: Creates effective pressure on carotid arteries through specific arm configurations.
  • Shoulder Pressure: Uses shoulder positioning to enhance choking mechanics and limit defensive options.
  • Spinal Alignment: Controls opponent’s spine to prevent defensive movement and escape.
  • Weight Distribution: Utilizes body weight to enhance control and submission pressure.
  • Defensive Anticipation: Recognizes and exploits predictable defensive reactions during transitions.
  • Angle Creation: Establishes optimal body positions for each submission variation.
  • Connection Maintenance: Preserves control through transitional phases between submissions.

Success Modifiers

Factors that influence the success rate of the submission:

  • Head-Arm Control Precision: Securely controlling head and arm for initial setup (+15%)
  • Transitional Adaptability: Maintaining dominant position during switches between chokes (+10%)
  • Grip Configuration: Securely adjusting grips for Guillotine, D’arce, or Anaconda (+10%)
  • Pressure Application: Effective shoulder drive and elbow squeeze across variations (+10%)
  • Experience Level: Familiarity with chaining submissions and reading defenses (+5% per skill level)

Common Counters and Counter-Attacks

Analysis of opponent responses with success rates for counter-attacks:

Decision Logic for Opponent Behavior

If [opponent postures up] to defend Guillotine:
- Apply Guillotine pressure or transition to [[Back Control]] (Probability: 55%)

Else if [opponent lowers head] to resist Guillotine:
- Transition to [[Darce Choke]] (Probability: 60%)

Else if [opponent turns away] from Darce pressure:
- Switch to [[Anaconda Control]] (Probability: 50%)

Else if [opponent turns inward] to defend Darce:
- Return to [[Guillotine Control]] (Probability: 55%)

Else if [opponent frames] to create space:
- Transition to [[North-South Choke]] (Probability: 45%)

Else if [opponent attempts to stand]:
- Maintain [[Front Headlock]] and return to Guillotine (Probability: 60%)

Else [maintain control]:
- Adjust angle and reapply pressure with current choke (Probability: 40%)

Common Errors

1. Weak Front Headlock Control

Problem: Establishing front headlock without proper head/arm control, allowing opponent mobility and escape opportunities.

Why it happens: Rushing to submission attempts without establishing the foundational control position.

Correction: Secure tight chin-strap grip with near arm controlling head. Control near arm with far arm. Chest stays glued to opponent’s upper back with legs sprawled for base.

Result if uncorrected: Opponent easily escapes to neutral or better position, completely negating the submission system before it begins.

2. Not Reading Defensive Reactions for Transitions

Problem: Attempting to force a single choke (Guillotine, D’arce, or Anaconda) without switching based on opponent’s defensive movement.

Why it happens: Fixation on one technique or lack of understanding that this is a reactive system.

Correction: If opponent postures up, stay with Guillotine. If opponent lowers head, switch to D’arce. If opponent turns away from D’arce, flow to Anaconda. Read and react continuously.

Result if uncorrected: Fighting against opponent’s defense instead of using it to set up alternatives, resulting in low success rate and wasted energy.

3. Poor Guillotine Grip (Low Elbow Position)

Problem: Wrapping arm around neck with elbow too low, creating an air choke instead of blood choke.

Why it happens: Misunderstanding guillotine mechanics or grabbing the first available grip without adjustment.

Correction: Adjust to “high elbow” guillotine grip. Your elbow should be elevated, with the blade of your forearm across opponent’s carotid artery, not windpipe.

Result if uncorrected: Ineffective choke that opponent can endure, or dangerous air choke that causes trachea damage instead of clean blood choke submission.

4. Insufficient Shoulder Drive in D’arce/Anaconda

Problem: Threading arm for D’arce or Anaconda without driving shoulder pressure into opponent’s back.

Why it happens: Focusing only on arm positioning while neglecting the shoulder’s role in these chokes.

Correction: Actively drive shoulder into opponent’s back/shoulder area throughout setup and finish. Shoulder pressure is essential for both control and choking mechanics.

Result if uncorrected: Shallow, easily defended chokes. Opponent maintains enough mobility to escape or counter-attack.

5. Losing Position During Transition

Problem: Breaking connection with opponent during transitions between choke variations, losing control entirely.

Why it happens: Treating each choke as independent rather than maintaining continuous connection throughout the system.

Correction: Never separate from opponent during transitions. Maintain chest-to-back pressure and control throughout the flow between Guillotine, D’arce, and Anaconda.

Result if uncorrected: Opponent escapes to neutral or advantageous position during your transition, wasting the entire setup.

6. Neglecting Leg/Hip Position

Problem: Focusing entirely on upper body while ignoring leg and hip positioning for control and finishing.

Why it happens: Overemphasis on hand/arm technique without understanding that lower body mechanics complete the system.

Correction: Maintain sprawled legs for base during front headlock. Transition to appropriate leg position for each finish (guillotine sit-back, D’arce step-over, Anaconda roll).

Result if uncorrected: Weak base leading to opponent escapes, or inability to generate finishing pressure despite proper upper body positioning.

7. ⚠️ DANGER: Cranking Neck During Transitions

Problem: Twisting or cranking opponent’s neck/head as you transition between submission attempts.

Why it happens: Rushing transitions or trying to force opponent’s movement instead of flowing with their reactions.

Correction: All transitions should flow smoothly without neck cranking. If you feel resistance during transition, adjust your movement pattern rather than forcing their head.

Result if uncorrected: CERVICAL NECK INJURY - strains, whiplash-type injuries, or muscle tears requiring weeks to months recovery. Serious safety violation.

8. ⚠️ DANGER: Applying Multiple Chokes Simultaneously

Problem: Attempting to apply pressure for Guillotine, D’arce, and Anaconda at the same time, creating dangerous multi-directional neck stress.

Why it happens: Confusion about system flow or desperation to finish, resulting in conflicting mechanical pressures.

Correction: Commit to ONE choke at a time with proper mechanics. Transition cleanly between variations - never apply multiple choking pressures simultaneously.

Result if uncorrected: SERIOUS NECK INJURY from conflicting pressure vectors. Cervical spine stress, muscle tears, potential vertebrae damage. Immediate training stoppage required.

9. ⚠️ DANGER: Holding Choke After Tap

Problem: Maintaining choking pressure after partner has tapped, not releasing immediately.

Why it happens: Complex system creates mental overload, reducing awareness of tap signals during transitions.

Correction: Maintain continuous awareness of tap signals throughout entire system flow. Verbal and physical tap recognition is mandatory at EVERY stage.

Result if uncorrected: LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS (all three chokes are blood chokes), neck injury, serious breach of training trust, potential expulsion from academy.

Variants

  • Guillotine Focus (primary attack with Guillotine, using D’arce and Anaconda as counters)
  • D’arce Focus (emphasizing D’arce as initial attack with Guillotine and Anaconda as follow-ups)
  • Anaconda Focus (prioritizing Anaconda setup with others as counters to defensive turns)
  • North-South Integration (using North-South Choke as a tertiary option when opponents go flat)

Graph View

Backlinks