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The Guillotine Choke is a submission technique primarily used in MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The goal of this choke is to apply pressure to the opponent’s neck and windpipe using your arms, compressing the airway or carotid arteries to induce a submission. It is most commonly performed when your opponent shoots for a takedown, as you can trap their head and apply the choke while they are bent over. The guillotine choke is a versatile submission that can be executed from various positions, including standing and on the ground.


  1. Setup
    • Get Close: The guillotine choke is most effective when your opponent is attempting a takedown or is bent forward, such as in a shot for a single or double leg takedown. Close the distance quickly and get a firm grip on their neck.
    • Wrap Your Arm Around the Neck: As your opponent shoots or bends forward, use one of your arms (typically the same side as the leg closest to their head) to wrap around the front of their neck. Your grip should be palm-to-palm, or with your other hand locking into your choking arm’s wrist or bicep.
    • Control Their Head: It’s essential to control the opponent’s head, either by holding it or by pulling it toward your chest. This prevents them from escaping and helps you maintain leverage during the choke.
  2. Squeeze and Position
    • Position Your Legs: While securing the choke with your arms, move your legs to establish control. If you’re standing, you can use your hips to apply more pressure. If on the ground, securing a guard (closed guard, half guard, or other positions) while maintaining head control is crucial.
    • Choke Application: Tighten the choke by pulling upward with your arms and driving your body into your opponent. Engage your core and lower body to help apply more pressure. The key is to pull their head up and forward while keeping their neck tightly in your grip.
    • Lock Down: To ensure that your opponent cannot escape, squeeze your arms while lifting with your body. If on the ground, pulling your legs into the choke further restricts their movement and prevents them from escaping or defending effectively.
  3. Finish the Choke
    • Apply Pressure Gradually: Maintain the pressure on their neck for several seconds. The choke should target either the carotid arteries (blood choke) or the airway (windpipe). If the opponent fails to tap out, they may lose consciousness.
    • Check for Taps: Always be vigilant about checking for a tap out. A fighter will typically tap on your body or the mat if they are about to pass out or submit due to the pressure.

  1. Posture and Head Control
    • Straighten Your Back: If you feel your opponent attempting a guillotine choke, it’s crucial to posture up and avoid being pulled down into the choke. Keep your back straight and your head in a neutral position to prevent the choke from locking in.
    • Keep Your Neck Tight: Tuck your chin tightly to your chest to reduce the space your opponent has to secure the choke. This can make it much harder for them to lock it in.
  2. Hand Fighting and Grip Break
    • Break the Grip: If your opponent has already wrapped their arm around your neck, fight to break their grip. Focus on pulling their arms apart, pushing against their wrists, or using your free hand to disengage their choke grip. This will buy you time to escape or re-establish a dominant position.
    • Control Their Elbow: If you are able to control the opponent’s arm by pushing their elbow down or out, it will significantly reduce their ability to apply the choke effectively.
  3. Lower Your Level
    • Drop Your Hips: To defend against a guillotine choke, you can drop your hips and lower your level, making it harder for your opponent to maintain a strong hold around your neck. By dropping your center of gravity, you become more stable and reduce the effectiveness of the choke.

  1. Counter Takedown
    • Takedown to Escape: If your opponent attempts a guillotine choke while you’re attempting a takedown (like a double or single leg), one effective counter is to complete the takedown while staying low and driving forward. This pressure can sometimes make the guillotine choke less effective, or force your opponent to let go of the choke to focus on maintaining position.
    • Counter with a Slam: If you’re caught in a standing guillotine, you can also attempt a counter slam, driving your opponent’s head and body downward while lifting them off the ground. This can either break their grip or force them to release the choke to avoid injury.
  2. Switch Positions
    • Switch to Side Control: After securing the guillotine choke, many opponents attempt to use their body and head positioning to escape. By transitioning to side control, you can lock in the choke more securely and control their movement. Keeping your opponent flat on their back makes the submission more difficult to escape.
  3. Posture Recovery
    • Head Out Defense: If you’re caught in a guillotine, sometimes the most effective counter is to slip your head out of the choke. If you can rotate your head and pull it back through the opponent’s grip, you can escape the submission attempt. However, this requires good timing and posture, so don’t panic and keep your movements controlled.

  • Timing: The guillotine choke is most effective when the opponent makes a mistake, such as shooting for a takedown or lowering their head. Perfect timing in recognizing these opportunities is key.
  • Grip Strength: A strong grip around the opponent’s neck is essential for securing the choke. Use both arms to create a strong and tight seal around the neck, increasing your chances of finishing the submission.
  • Positioning: Whether standing or on the ground, controlling your opponent’s posture and keeping them off balance allows you to apply the guillotine more effectively. On the ground, using your legs to control your opponent’s body adds additional pressure to the choke.

  • Weak Grip: One of the biggest mistakes in the guillotine choke is failing to secure a tight grip on your opponent’s neck. Without a strong grip, your opponent will have an easier time escaping or defending.
  • Lack of Posture Control: If you don’t control the posture of your opponent, it becomes easier for them to break the choke or escape. Always ensure your opponent is in a position where they can’t pull their head out or posture up to escape.
  • Rushing the Finish: Applying pressure too quickly without maintaining proper technique can make the choke less effective. It’s important to apply the choke gradually and increase the pressure over time, allowing the submission to finish properly.

The Guillotine Choke is a dynamic and versatile submission technique in MMA that can be executed standing or on the ground. Its effectiveness relies on excellent timing, strong grips, and control of the opponent’s posture. By mastering this submission, fighters can neutralize takedown attempts or capitalize on mistakes to secure a fast and decisive victory.