BJJ Graph

Front Headlock Submission System

Jun 15, 20257 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.

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 [[D'arce Control]] (Probability: 60%)

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

Else if [opponent turns inward] to defend D'arce:
- 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%)

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

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