Guillotine Variations
bjjsubmissionchokenogigifront_headlock
⚠️ SAFETY NOTICE
This submission can cause LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS and NECK INJURY if applied improperly.
- Injury Risks: Loss of consciousness (3-8 seconds), neck strain, cervical spine damage, trachea compression
- Application Speed: SLOW and progressive. 3-5 seconds minimum
- Tap Signals: Verbal “tap”, physical tap
- Release Protocol: 1) Release choking arm, 2) Open guard, 3) Monitor partner 15 seconds
- Training Requirement: Intermediate level with supervision
- Never: Apply with cranking or jerking motions
Required Properties
Core Identifiers
- Submission ID: SUB242
- Submission Name: Guillotine Variations
- Alternative Names: Front Choke, Arm-In Guillotine, High-Elbow Guillotine, Ten-Finger Guillotine
State Machine Properties
- Starting State: Guard Bottom, Standing Position, Front Headlock
- Ending State: Won by Submission
- Submission Type: Choke - Targets carotid arteries (blood choke) or trachea (air choke)
Submission Properties
- Success Probability: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%
- Execution Complexity: Medium to High
- Energy Cost: Medium
- Time Required: Quick to Medium
- Risk Level: Medium
Visual Execution Sequence
From guard position with opponent’s head controlled, you wrap your arm around their neck with your wrist positioned under their throat. You secure your grip by clasping your hands together or grabbing your wrist, then fall to your side while closing your guard. As you extend your hips forward and arch your back, you simultaneously pull up with your choking arm, compressing the carotid arteries or trachea. The combination of hip extension, back arch, and arm pull creates powerful choking pressure that forces submission.
Execution Steps
- Setup: Control opponent’s head from guard or standing
- Arm Insertion: Wrap arm deep around neck
- Grip Configuration: Clasp hands or grab wrist
- Guard Closure: Close guard and fall to side
- Hip Extension: Drive hips forward while arching back
- Completion: Pull up with arm until tap
Success Modifiers
- Grip Depth: Deep arm penetration (+/-20%)
- Hip Extension: Full forward drive (+/-15%)
- Guard Control: Secured closed guard (+/-10%)
- Timing: Optimal setup moment (+/-15%)
Variations
Arm-In Guillotine
- Beginner 40%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 80%
- Opponent’s arm trapped inside
- More control, easier to secure
- Higher percentage finish
- Prevents certain escapes
High-Elbow Guillotine
- Intermediate 50%, Advanced 75%
- Elbow pointed up toward ceiling
- Wrist behind opponent’s neck
- More precise blood choke
- Requires better positioning
Arm-Out Guillotine (Classic)
- Intermediate 45%, Advanced 70%
- Opponent’s arm outside choke
- Faster setup, less control
- More scramble situations
- Traditional variation
Ten-Finger Guillotine
- Advanced 55%, Advanced 80%
- All fingers interlaced
- Maximum squeezing power
- Difficult to finish on experienced opponents
- Best from standing entries
Chin Strap Variation
- Advanced 60%, Advanced 85%
- Wrist across jaw line
- More neck crank element
- Painful submission
- Requires precise control
Expert Insights
- John Danaher: “The guillotine choke succeeds through proper arm positioning and hip extension mechanics. The key is achieving deep arm penetration under the throat before opponent can defend. The power comes from hip drive and back arch, not arm strength alone. Different grip configurations create different choking mechanisms.”
- Gordon Ryan: “I favor the high-elbow guillotine for its precision and reliability. The arm-in variation provides more control but can be defended by skilled opponents. In competition, I use guillotine entries to sweep or take the back if the finish isn’t immediately available. It’s a versatile attacking system.”
- Eddie Bravo: “The guillotine is perhaps the most dynamic submission in no-gi grappling. From standing, from guard, from scrambles - it’s available everywhere. The key is recognizing windows of opportunity and committing fully. Half-hearted guillotine attempts give up position. Master multiple grips to adapt to defensive reactions.”
Common Errors
- Shallow arm depth: Forearm too high on neck
- Poor hip extension: Not driving hips forward
- Weak back arch: Insufficient spinal extension
- Wrong grip configuration: Using ineffective hand position
- Insufficient guard control: Opponent escapes hooks
SAFETY ERRORS
- Explosive cranking: Sudden jerking causing neck injury
- Ignoring tap: Continuing after submission
- Excessive neck crank: Targeting spine instead of throat
- Dropping weight: Falling heavily on opponent’s neck
Training Progressions
- Weeks 1-4: Grip mechanics and positioning (no pressure)
- Weeks 5-10: Controlled application at 40-50% pressure
- Weeks 11-16: Building to 70% with various grips
- Months 5+: Live integration with safety maintained
- Focus: Control before cranking, always
Related Submissions
- Darce Choke - Similar front headlock position
- Anaconda Choke - Complementary arm-in choke
- Front Headlock Series - Position-based attacks
- Arm Triangle - Alternative compression choke
Competition Applications
- IBJJF Rules: Legal at all belt levels (gi and no-gi)
- Strategic Use: Dynamic attack from multiple positions
- Versatility: Standing, guard, scrambles
- No-Gi Essential: Core submission in submission grappling