What are the two primary pressure points that create the Von Flue choke, and why is the opponent's own arm critical to the technique?

The two primary pressure points are: 1) Your shoulder driving into one side of their neck to compress one carotid artery, and 2) Their own arm (from the guillotine grip) which crosses their neck and compresses the opposite carotid artery. The opponent's arm is critical because it creates half of the choke for you—without their guillotine grip, the shoulder pressure alone would be insufficient. This is why the technique works as a counter-submission: their offensive weapon becomes the instrument of their own defeat.

Why must you apply the Von Flue choke progressively over 3-5 seconds rather than with sudden pressure, and what are the safety consequences of rushing the application?

Progressive application over 3-5 seconds is critical for safety because it gives your training partner time to recognize the danger and tap before losing consciousness. Blood chokes can cause unconsciousness in as little as 5-7 seconds once properly applied, but the onset can be sudden. If you apply explosive pressure, your partner may lose consciousness before they can tap, leading to potential brain injury from oxygen deprivation. The gradual application allows them to feel the pressure building and make the decision to tap or release their grip before reaching the point of no return. This is a fundamental safety principle for all training with blood chokes.

What is the correct action to take the moment your opponent releases their guillotine grip during a Von Flue choke attempt?

The moment your opponent releases their guillotine grip, you must immediately remove all shoulder pressure from their neck and consolidate your side control position. Continuing to apply pressure after they've released their grip is both unnecessary and dangerous—the submission is complete when they let go of their offensive grip. Your goal was to force them to release the guillotine, and once achieved, the technique is finished. Continuing to apply pressure would be applying a choke to a defenseless opponent, which violates safety principles and good training partnership.

How does walking your hips toward the opponent's head improve the Von Flue choke's effectiveness, and what defensive option does it remove?

Walking your hips toward the opponent's head creates a more acute angle between your body and theirs, which increases the downward and forward pressure of your shoulder into their neck. This improved angle makes the carotid compression more direct and effective. Additionally, this hip position removes the opponent's ability to use their legs to push your hips away and create distance—their primary escape mechanism from side control. With your hips high and close to their head, they lose the leverage needed to bridge or push effectively, trapping them in the submission.

Why is shoulder placement on the neck (not the jaw) critical for the Von Flue choke to function properly?

The shoulder must be placed on the soft tissue of the neck, lateral to the trachea and below the jawline, because this is where the carotid artery runs. Pressure on the jaw or chin creates pain and discomfort but does not compress the carotid artery, meaning no blood choke occurs. The Von Flue is a blood choke (cutting off blood flow to the brain), not an air choke (cutting off breathing), so proper targeting of the carotid is essential. If your shoulder is on the jaw, the opponent will feel pain but can survive indefinitely, whereas proper neck placement creates a true choke that will cause unconsciousness within seconds.

What are at least three valid tap signals a partner might use when caught in a Von Flue choke, and why is recognizing these signals especially important for this submission?

Valid tap signals include: 1) Verbal tap (calling out 'tap' or making verbal distress sounds), 2) Physical hand tap on your body or the mat, 3) Physical foot tap on the mat, 4) Releasing the guillotine grip immediately, and 5) Body going limp (indicating unconsciousness). Recognizing these signals is especially important for the Von Flue because the opponent's arms may be trapped in their own guillotine grip, limiting their ability to tap with their hands. Verbal taps become particularly important, as does watching for their grip to loosen (which often indicates impending unconsciousness). You must be hypersensitive to any indication they want to tap, including changes in their breathing or grip pressure.

Von Flue Choke from Side Control Attacker | BJJ Submission Guide

SAFETY: Von Flue Choke from Side Control targets the Carotid arteries. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to unconsciousness. Release immediately upon tap.

The Von Flue Choke is a devastating counter-submission that punishes opponents who maintain an overly committed guillotine grip from bottom position. Named after Jason Von Flue who famously used it in the UFC, this technique transforms a defensive scenario into an immediate offensive threat. The choke works by using shoulder pressure combined with body weight to compress one carotid artery while the opponent’s own arm compresses the other, creating a blood choke that renders the guillotine grip not only ineffective but actively dangerous for the person holding it. This submission is particularly effective in no-gi grappling where guillotine attempts are common, and it serves as a crucial defensive concept that every practitioner must understand. The psychological impact of the Von Flue choke cannot be overstated—once an opponent has been caught with it, they become hesitant to hold guillotine grips from bottom position, fundamentally changing the dynamics of guard passing exchanges. The technique demonstrates a core principle in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: every offensive position contains the seeds of its own defeat if held too long or too rigidly.

From Position: Side Control (Top)

Key Attacking Principles

What are the key principles for executing Von Flue Choke from Side Control?

Shoulder pressure creates one-sided carotid compression while opponent’s arm creates the other
Body weight distribution amplifies the choke without requiring arm strength
The opponent’s defensive grip becomes the mechanism of their own submission
Patience is critical—rushing the finish allows the opponent to release and escape
Head position must be tight to opponent’s far shoulder to prevent space creation
Hip pressure prevents opponent from turning into you and escaping the choke
The choke is a positional control problem first, submission second

Prerequisites

What do you need before attempting Von Flue Choke from Side Control?

Opponent is holding a guillotine grip from bottom position (closed guard, half guard, or open guard)
You have achieved side control or are transitioning to side control
Your head is positioned on the far side of opponent’s body (not trapped in guillotine)
Opponent is maintaining their guillotine grip despite being in bottom side control
You have shoulder contact with opponent’s neck on the side where they’re gripping
Your base is stable enough to apply sustained pressure without being swept

Execution Steps

How do you execute Von Flue Choke from Side Control step by step?

Secure side control position: As you pass the guard or establish side control against an opponent holding a guillotine, ensure your chest is heavy on their chest and your hips are low. Your head should be on the far side of their body, away from the arm executing the guillotine grip. Do not try to pull your head out of any partial guillotine pressure—instead, accept the position and focus on establishing dominant control. (Timing: 2-3 seconds)
Position your shoulder against their neck: Drive your near-side shoulder (the shoulder closest to their head) directly into the side of their neck on the same side as their gripping arm. This shoulder should make contact with the soft tissue of the neck, not the jaw or chin. Your shoulder becomes the primary pressure point that will compress one carotid artery. Ensure your posture is tight with your head connected to their far shoulder. (Timing: 1-2 seconds)
Establish crossface control: Your near arm should cross their face, with your hand gripping behind their far shoulder or under their far armpit. This crossface serves multiple purposes: it prevents them from turning into you, it helps you maintain head position, and it allows you to drive additional pressure through your shoulder into their neck. Your elbow should be tight to their near side to prevent space. (Timing: 1-2 seconds)
Control the far hip: Your far arm should reach across their body to control their far hip, either by gripping their belt, pants, or simply posting your hand on their hip bone. This control prevents them from shrimping away or turning into you. Keep your elbow tight to their ribs to maintain connection and prevent them from creating the space needed to adjust their position. (Timing: 1-2 seconds)
Drive weight through the shoulder: Begin to gradually transfer your body weight through your shoulder into their neck. The key is to drive your weight forward and down at approximately a 45-degree angle, as if you’re trying to push their head toward their far shoulder. This angle maximizes carotid compression while their own arm (still holding the guillotine) compresses the opposite carotid. Apply pressure progressively over 3-5 seconds, not suddenly. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive application)
Walk your hips toward their head: To increase the pressure and eliminate any escape routes, walk your hips in small steps toward their head. This movement serves multiple functions: it increases the downward angle of your shoulder pressure, it prevents them from using their legs to push you away, and it makes it nearly impossible for them to turn into you. Your chest should remain heavy throughout this movement. (Timing: 2-3 seconds)
Maintain position until tap or release: Hold steady pressure without increasing it further. Most opponents will tap within 3-5 seconds of full pressure application, though some may stubbornly hold their guillotine grip until they lose consciousness. Watch for their grip to loosen (a sign of impending unconsciousness) and be prepared to release immediately upon any tap signal. Never increase pressure once full pressure is achieved—the choke either works or the opponent escapes by releasing their grip. (Timing: Hold until tap or grip release)

Possible Outcomes

Result	Position	Probability
Success	game-over	60%
Failure	Side Control	25%
Counter	Half Guard	15%

Opponent Defenses

How might your opponent defend against Von Flue Choke from Side Control?

Releasing the guillotine grip immediately (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: This is the desired outcome—maintain side control and continue your passing or submission attack from the improved position. Do not continue applying pressure once they release. → Leads to Side Control
Attempting to turn into you to recover guard (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Your crossface and hip control should prevent this entirely. If they create any turning motion, increase your crossface pressure and walk your hips higher to shut down the movement. → Leads to Half Guard
Using legs to push your hips away and create distance (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Counter by walking your hips even higher toward their head, which removes their leverage to push. Alternatively, if they successfully create distance, transition to mount while maintaining shoulder pressure. → Leads to Side Control
Switching to a different grip or attempting to re-guard (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: As soon as they release the original guillotine grip, immediately remove the Von Flue pressure and consolidate your side control position. Don’t give them time to establish a new defensive structure. → Leads to Side Control

Common Attacking Mistakes

What mistakes should you avoid when executing Von Flue Choke from Side Control?

1. Applying sudden or explosive pressure to the neck

Consequence: Partner loses consciousness without time to tap, risking serious injury and creating dangerous training environment
Correction: Always apply pressure progressively over 3-5 seconds minimum, watching carefully for tap signals or the grip loosening

2. Using the jaw or chin as the pressure point instead of the neck

Consequence: No choke occurs, opponent experiences jaw pain but no real danger, technique fails
Correction: Ensure your shoulder is positioned on the soft tissue of the neck lateral to the trachea, below the jaw line, directly targeting the carotid artery

3. Failing to control the far hip, allowing opponent to turn in

Consequence: Opponent escapes by turning into you and recovering guard, losing the submission and potentially the position
Correction: Maintain constant connection to the far hip with your far arm, keeping your elbow tight to prevent space creation

4. Keeping hips too far from opponent’s head

Consequence: Insufficient angle for effective shoulder pressure, opponent can use legs to create distance and escape
Correction: Walk your hips progressively closer to their head, creating a more acute angle that increases pressure while limiting their defensive options

5. Continuing to apply pressure after opponent releases the guillotine grip

Consequence: Unnecessary injury risk, poor training partnership, potential for causing unconsciousness when submission is already achieved
Correction: The moment you feel their grip loosen or release, immediately remove shoulder pressure and consolidate side control—the submission is complete when they let go

6. Lifting your head up to look around or see what’s happening

Consequence: Creates space under your shoulder, eliminates choke pressure, allows opponent to escape or maintain guillotine grip safely
Correction: Keep your head connected tightly to their far shoulder throughout the entire sequence, maintaining constant pressure through your shoulder to their neck

Training Progressions

How do you train Von Flue Choke from Side Control (Attacker)?

Phase 1: Recognition and Positioning - Identifying the Von Flue opportunity and establishing correct shoulder placement Drill recognizing when an opponent maintains a guillotine grip from bottom side control. Practice transitioning from guard pass to side control while maintaining awareness of the guillotine grip. Focus on correct shoulder placement on the neck—not the jaw—and establishing the crossface grip. Partner holds a static guillotine while you repeatedly set up the correct position without applying pressure. 20-30 repetitions per side.

Phase 2: Pressure Mechanics and Safety Protocol - Developing progressive pressure application and safety awareness With the correct position established, practice applying gradual shoulder pressure over 3-5 seconds while partner communicates the pressure level they feel. Develop sensitivity to grip changes that indicate your partner is approaching their limit. Practice the complete release protocol after every repetition—remove pressure, create space, check partner. Emphasize that the choke is complete when they release their grip, not when they tap.

Phase 3: Counter Integration and Hip Walking - Addressing defensive reactions while maintaining the submission Partner now provides active resistance: attempting to turn in, pushing hips away with legs, and bridging. Practice the hip-walking adjustment to counter leg pushes, crossface reinforcement against turning attempts, and maintaining pressure through bridge attempts. Chain the Von Flue with the mount transition when the opponent creates bridging space. Alternate between finishing the choke and consolidating side control when they release their grip.

Phase 4: Live Application and Situational Sparring - Applying the Von Flue in live rolling conditions with full resistance Positional sparring starting from closed guard with bottom player holding a guillotine grip. Top player must pass guard, recognize the Von Flue opportunity, and finish or consolidate. Bottom player uses full resistance and can release the guillotine at any time. Progress to fully live rolls where you specifically look for Von Flue opportunities during guard passing. Track success rate and identify which passing sequences create the best Von Flue setups.

Von Flue Choke from Side Control Attacker

Outcomes