Front Headlock Series Transition

The Front Headlock Series represents one of the most versatile and high-percentage control positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, offering multiple pathways to dominant positions and submissions. This series exploits the vulnerable turtle position or failed takedown attempts, where the opponent’s head and arm become available for control. From this position, a skilled practitioner can flow between guillotine chokes, anaconda chokes, darce chokes, and transitions to back control, creating a web of interconnected attacks that force opponents into defensive dilemmas.

The beauty of the front headlock series lies in its systematic nature—each defensive response from the opponent opens a different offensive pathway. When they defend the guillotine, the anaconda becomes available. When they block the anaconda, the darce appears. When they counter choke attempts, the transition to back control presents itself. This branching decision tree makes the front headlock one of the most frustrating positions to defend and one of the most rewarding to master.

Developed and refined by high-level competitors including Marcelo Garcia, John Danaher’s Death Squad, and countless others, the front headlock series has proven itself in the highest levels of competition. Understanding this series requires not just technical proficiency in individual techniques, but also the strategic awareness to recognize which branch to follow based on opponent reactions. Mastery of this series transforms the front headlock from a simple control position into a complete submission system.

Starting Position: Front Headlock Ending Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%

Key Principles

• Maintain constant head control with tight connection between forearm and opponent’s neck
• Control the near arm to prevent opponent’s defensive framing and escape attempts
• Keep weight distributed forward to prevent opponent from coming up to knees
• Use opponent’s defensive reactions to determine which submission or transition to pursue
• Maintain proper angle relative to opponent’s body—never directly in front where they can drive forward
• Create downward pressure on the head while controlling posture to break opponent’s structure
• Flow between submission attempts without releasing control—transitions should be seamless

Prerequisites

• Opponent in turtle position or bent forward from failed takedown attempt
• Clear access to opponent’s head and near-side arm
• Proper base established with feet positioned to control opponent’s movement
• Head control secured with forearm across opponent’s neck in choking configuration
• Near arm controlled either over opponent’s back or trapped under your chest
• Hips positioned at appropriate angle—not directly behind opponent
• Weight forward preventing opponent from standing or returning to guard

Execution Steps

1. Establish front headlock control: As opponent assumes turtle position or bends forward, immediately secure head control by threading your arm around their neck with your forearm positioned across the front of their throat. Your bicep should be on one side of their neck and your forearm on the other, creating a vice-like grip. Simultaneously control their near arm by either overhooking it or pinning it to their body. (Timing: Immediate as opportunity presents)
2. Secure proper angle and base: Position your body at roughly a 45-degree angle to your opponent’s body—never directly behind them where they can back into you. Establish a wide, stable base with your feet, keeping your weight forward over their shoulders. Your chest should be heavy on their upper back, preventing them from elevating their posture. Lock your hands in your preferred grip (gable grip, palm-to-palm, or guillotine grip). (Timing: Within 1-2 seconds of initial control)
3. Apply initial control pressure: Drive your weight downward through your chest into their shoulders while maintaining the headlock. Your forearm should create light pressure across their throat (not yet choking), and your near-arm control should prevent them from posting or framing. This pressure keeps them defensive and prevents immediate escape attempts while you assess their reactions. (Timing: Continuous throughout control phase)
4. Read opponent’s defensive reaction: Observe how your opponent responds to the control. Are they trying to turn into you (exposing anaconda)? Are they attempting to turn away (opening darce)? Are they staying stationary and defending their neck (allowing back take setup)? Are they trying to stand or roll (guillotine opportunity)? This reading phase determines which branch of the series you’ll pursue. (Timing: 1-3 seconds of active assessment)
5. Transition to selected attack: Based on their reaction, seamlessly flow into your chosen technique. For guillotine: adjust your angle and sit back. For anaconda: thread your choking arm deeper and lock around their shoulder. For darce: shift your hips to the opposite side and lock the figure-four. For back take: release the headlock grip, secure seat belt control, and insert your hooks. The transition should maintain constant control without giving opponent any breathing room. (Timing: Immediate upon reading their reaction)
6. Finish or continue chain: Complete your selected technique with proper finishing mechanics. If the opponent defends successfully, immediately recognize the new defensive posture and flow to the next appropriate technique in the series. The front headlock series is circular—failed guillotine opens anaconda, defended anaconda reveals darce, blocked darce exposes back take opportunities. Continue flowing until you achieve submission or dominant position. (Timing: Until submission or position secured)

Opponent Counters

• Opponent tucks chin and blocks choking arm (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Transition from choke attempt to position advancement—use their defensive posture to take the back or transition to alternative choke (anaconda to darce, guillotine to anaconda, etc.)
• Opponent rolls forward attempting granby escape (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: Maintain headlock grip and follow their roll, landing in mounted guillotine position or using momentum to take the back during the roll
• Opponent posts with far arm and attempts to come up (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Response: Increase downward pressure through chest, circle to cut off the angle of their base, or use their upward movement to sink guillotine deeper and pull guard
• Opponent scoots hips backward away from you (Effectiveness: High) - Your Response: Follow their movement while maintaining head control, transition your base to stay connected, and use their backward movement to facilitate back take transition
• Opponent turns into you aggressively (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Response: This is exactly what you want for the anaconda—as they turn, thread your arm deeper across their neck and around their shoulder, then lock your grips for the choke

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Releasing head control during transitions between techniques
  • Consequence: Opponent escapes entirely, returning to neutral or advantageous position
  • Correction: Maintain constant connection with opponent’s head throughout all transitions—grips may change, but control never fully releases until submission or back control is secured
• Mistake: Positioning body directly behind opponent instead of at an angle
  • Consequence: Opponent can drive backward into you, stand up, or use their hips to create escape space
  • Correction: Always maintain 30-45 degree angle to opponent’s centerline, keeping your hips offset to one side while controlling their head and near arm
• Mistake: Focusing solely on submission without recognizing positional opportunities
  • Consequence: Missing high-percentage back take or mount opportunities while forcing low-percentage chokes
  • Correction: Develop the mindset that front headlock is primarily a control position that offers both submission and positional advancement—be willing to take the back or mount when available
• Mistake: Insufficient control of opponent’s near arm
  • Consequence: Opponent creates frames, posts to stand, or uses the free arm to defend neck and escape
  • Correction: Always control the near arm through overhook, pinning it to their body, or trapping it with your weight—never allow it to be free for posting or framing
• Mistake: Applying maximum choking pressure immediately without securing position
  • Consequence: Opponent’s survival instinct activates explosive escape attempts before you have solid control, resulting in scrambles
  • Correction: Establish secure control first with moderate pressure, then progressively increase pressure as you refine position and narrow escape options
• Mistake: Failing to adjust base when opponent moves
  • Consequence: Loss of balance, weakened control, and potential reversal as opponent exploits your poor positioning
  • Correction: Develop mobile base—constantly adjust feet and weight distribution to maintain forward pressure regardless of opponent’s movement
• Mistake: Committing to single technique without adapting to opponent’s defense
  • Consequence: Wasting energy on defended technique while missing openings for alternative attacks in the series
  • Correction: Train the entire series as a flowing system—develop sensitivity to recognize when one technique is defended and immediately flow to the next logical option

Training Progressions

Phase 1: Control Foundation (Weeks 1-2) - Establishing and maintaining front headlock control position Partner starts in turtle position. Practice obtaining head control, securing near arm, and establishing proper angle and base. Hold position for 30-60 seconds while partner remains relatively stationary. Focus on grip strength, weight distribution, and maintaining connection. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 2: Dynamic Control (Weeks 3-4) - Maintaining control against movement Partner actively tries to move within turtle position—scooting backward, turning side to side, attempting to stand—but not yet escaping. Practice maintaining your control while adjusting base and position. Develop the ability to follow their movement without losing connection to head and arm. (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 3: Individual Technique Entry (Weeks 5-8) - Learning each submission and transition individually From established front headlock control, practice entering each technique in the series: guillotine, anaconda, darce, and back take. Partner provides light resistance but allows technique completion. Drill each technique 10-15 repetitions daily, focusing on proper mechanics and timing for each individual option. (Resistance: Light)

Phase 4: Reactive Chaining (Weeks 9-12) - Flowing between techniques based on partner’s defense Partner defends specific techniques as instructed (block guillotine, defend anaconda, etc.), and you practice flowing to the appropriate counter-technique. Build pattern recognition for common defensive reactions and automatic responses. Practice two-technique chains (guillotine to anaconda, darce to back take, etc.). (Resistance: Medium)

Phase 5: Full Series Integration (Weeks 13-20) - Executing complete series against full resistance Partner provides full resistance from turtle position. You must establish front headlock control, read their reactions, and flow through the series until achieving submission or dominant position. Practice maintaining offensive pressure through multiple technique attempts and transitions. (Resistance: Full)

Phase 6: Competitive Application (Week 21+) - Applying series in live rolling and competition Actively seek front headlock opportunities during free training. Work on obtaining the position from various setups (failed takedowns, guard passes, opponent’s turtle, etc.). Develop the ability to recognize and capitalize on front headlock openings in real-time, against resisting opponents of all skill levels. (Resistance: Full)

Variations

Standing Front Headlock Series: Executed from standing position after sprawl or failed takedown, utilizing guillotine pull to guard, snap down control, or guillotine from standing as primary options (When to use: When opponent shoots takedown and you successfully sprawl, or when opponent is bent over from standing clinch position)

Side Front Headlock (Modified Kesa Gatame): Front headlock control from side position rather than top-turtle, often transitioning from failed guard pass or side control with head control emphasized (When to use: When opponent turns away from side control or when transitioning from headquarters position with head available)

Front Headlock from Guard Pass: Establishing front headlock as opponent attempts to turn away during guard passing sequence, common in over-under pass or leg drag situations (When to use: During guard passing when opponent turns to turtle or gives up their back in defensive reaction)

Gi-Specific Front Headlock Series: Utilizes collar grips for enhanced control, including high collar guillotine, collar-fed anaconda, and loop choke variations from front headlock (When to use: In gi training when lapel and collar grips provide superior control and additional submission options)

Test Your Knowledge

Q1: What is the primary purpose of controlling the opponent’s near arm in the front headlock position? A: Controlling the near arm serves multiple critical functions: it prevents the opponent from posting to stand up or create frames for escape, eliminates their ability to defend their neck with that hand, and removes a key structural support that would allow them to improve their position. Without near arm control, the opponent can base out, create space, and potentially escape or counter your attacks. This control is essential for maintaining dominant position throughout the series.

Q2: Why is maintaining a 45-degree angle to the opponent superior to positioning directly behind them in front headlock? A: Positioning at a 45-degree angle rather than directly behind the opponent prevents them from using their hips and legs to drive backward into you, which could allow them to stand or create escape opportunities. The angle also provides better leverage for choking attacks, clearer pathways for transitions to the back, and prevents the opponent from using their strongest structural defense (sitting back into your hips). Direct back positioning allows the opponent to use their posterior chain strength to escape, while the angled position keeps them structurally weak and defensive.

Q3: How does the front headlock series create a submission dilemma for the defending opponent? A: The front headlock series creates a true dilemma by offering multiple interconnected attacks where defending one technique opens another. When the opponent defends the guillotine by tucking their chin and blocking, they often turn into you—exactly what’s needed for the anaconda. Defending the anaconda by turning away opens the darce. Focusing purely on defending chokes by keeping arms tight to the neck allows the back take. Every defensive response opens a different offensive pathway, forcing the opponent into a circular trap where there’s no single correct defense. This strategic depth is what makes the series so effective at high levels.

Q4: What are the key differences in execution between the guillotine, anaconda, and darce options from front headlock? A: The guillotine uses a perpendicular choking arm across the front of the throat with your body positioned to sit back or pull guard. The anaconda involves threading your choking arm across the neck and around the opponent’s shoulder on the same side as the controlled arm, then locking hands for a squeeze that combines neck and shoulder pressure. The darce requires switching to the opposite side, threading your arm under their near arm and across their neck from the far side, then locking a figure-four grip. Each has different grip configurations, body positions, and angle requirements, but all start from the same front headlock control position.

Q5: Describe the proper sequence for transitioning from front headlock to back control when choke attempts are defended? A: When choke attempts are consistently defended, release the head-arm configuration while maintaining contact with the opponent. As they begin to feel the release, immediately establish seat belt grip (one arm over shoulder, one under armpit, hands locked). Use your chest pressure to prevent them from turning into you while you work to insert your first hook on the near side. Once the first hook is in, use it to elevate their hip slightly and insert the far-side hook. Throughout this transition, maintain constant pressure and connection—never give them space to escape. The key is recognizing when to abandon choke attempts in favor of the superior back control position.

Q6: What role does weight distribution play in effective front headlock control? A: Weight distribution is critical for maintaining control and preventing escapes. Your weight should be primarily forward through your chest onto the opponent’s shoulders and upper back, keeping them flattened and unable to elevate their posture. However, you must maintain enough weight on your feet to have mobile base and adjust to their movements. Too much weight back and they can stand; too much weight forward without proper base and you can be rolled or swept. The ideal is roughly 60-70% of pressure forward through the chest while maintaining active, adjustable feet that can reposition as needed. This weight distribution breaks their structure while preserving your mobility.

Safety Considerations

When practicing the front headlock series, controlled application is essential to prevent neck injuries. The neck is extremely vulnerable in this position, and excessive cranking or sudden pressure can cause serious injury. Always apply chokes progressively over 3-5 seconds minimum, never explosively. During drilling, both partners must communicate—the person applying should start with light pressure and gradually increase, while the defensive partner should tap early and clearly. Be especially cautious with the anaconda and darce variations, as they can create significant pressure on the cervical spine. Never practice these techniques without proper instruction and supervision. When partner taps, release immediately—continuing pressure after a tap can cause injury and erodes trust. Practice on appropriate surfaces (mats, never hard floors) and be aware of mat boundaries during dynamic transitions. Beginners should focus on control and position before attempting submissions from this series.

Position Integration

The front headlock series occupies a unique position in the BJJ hierarchy as both a control position and a submission hub. It typically arises from the turtle position (when opponent goes defensive), failed takedown attempts (after successful sprawl), or as a transition during guard passing sequences. The position serves as a bridge between standing/wrestling positions and ground control, making it essential for both takedown defense and ground strategy. Within the positional hierarchy, front headlock sits at a crucial decision point—it can lead to dominant positions (back control, mount, side control) or direct submissions (guillotine, anaconda, darce), making it one of the most versatile control positions in the sport. Mastery of this series significantly impacts your entire game, as it provides high-percentage options from common scenarios that occur in both training and competition. The position integrates seamlessly with wrestling-based BJJ approaches, no-gi systems, and modern submission grappling strategies. Understanding when to pursue submission versus positional advancement from front headlock is a mark of strategic maturity in BJJ.

Related Techniques

• Front Headlock to Guillotine - Primary submission option from series
• Front Headlock to Anaconda - Alternative submission when opponent turns into you
• Front Headlock to Darce - Alternative submission when opponent turns away
• Front Headlock to Back - Primary positional advancement option
• Guillotine Choke - Primary finishing technique in series
• Anaconda Choke - Secondary finishing technique
• Darce Choke - Tertiary finishing technique
• Rear Naked Choke - Follow-up finish after back take
• Snap Down to Front Headlock - Primary entry method from standing
• Turtle to Back Take - Alternative attack on turtle position
• Crucifix from Turtle - Alternative control position from turtle
• Arm Triangle from Turtle - Alternative submission from turtle attack

Expert Insights

• Danaher System: The front headlock series represents a perfect example of systematic position-based submission grappling. What makes this series so effective is not any individual technique, but the interconnected nature of the attacks that create what I call a ‘submission ecosystem.’ Each defensive response from your opponent doesn’t lead to escape—it leads to a different branch of your offensive system. The key to mastering this series is understanding the biomechanical principles underlying each technique and the strategic decision-making process that determines which path to follow. Your choking arm’s position relative to the carotid arteries, your angle relative to their spine, your weight distribution over their shoulder girdle—these are not random details but precise mechanical requirements that determine success or failure. Train this series with the understanding that front headlock is fundamentally a control position that happens to offer multiple high-percentage submissions, not primarily a submission position. This mindset shift—position before submission—is what separates systematic grapplers from opportunistic ones.
• Gordon Ryan: Front headlock is probably the highest percentage control position in no-gi grappling when you really understand the whole system. In competition, I actively seek this position because it puts enormous pressure on my opponent with minimal energy expenditure from me. The beautiful thing about the series is that your opponent has to make choices under pressure, and every choice has consequences. They defend the guillotine, I take the anaconda. They block the anaconda, the darce is there. They turtle up tight protecting everything, I take the back. I’ve finished numerous matches from this position because opponents simply don’t have good answers for the entire series. The key in competition is not just knowing the techniques but developing the mat sense to recognize which one is available in real-time. Against high-level opponents, you might flow through three or four options in fifteen seconds before finding the finish. That fluidity only comes from drilling the transitions between techniques, not just the techniques themselves. Also, don’t underestimate the psychological factor—when your opponent knows you have a dangerous front headlock game, they’ll avoid giving you turtle entirely, which opens other opportunities in your overall strategy.
• Eddie Bravo: The front headlock series is where wrestling meets submission grappling in the most beautiful way, man. What I love about this position is the chaos factor—it’s dynamic, it’s scramble-heavy, and it rewards creativity and unconventional attacks. In the 10th Planet system, we’ve developed some unique entries and variations from front headlock, including transitions to the truck position and twister setups that most traditional players don’t see coming. The standard series—guillotine, anaconda, darce, back take—is absolutely essential and works at all levels, but there’s so much room for innovation here. One concept we emphasize is using the front headlock as a transitional hub rather than a static position. You’re constantly moving, constantly creating angles, constantly forcing reactions. The opponent never gets comfortable because the position is inherently unstable for them. Also, in no-gi especially, the front headlock is your best friend after a sprawl. When someone shoots and you sprawl, that immediate transition to front headlock control gives you multiple high-percentage finishing options. We drill this transition religiously because it comes up in every single roll and every competition match. Master the front headlock series and you’ve got a complete attacking system from one of the most common positions in grappling.