The front headlock submission. Catch a takedown attempt and finish standing or on the ground.
The guillotine is a front headlock choke that attacks the neck from the front. It is one of the fastest submissions to apply and can be used standing, from guard, or during takedown defense.
Because it catches opponents shooting for takedowns, the guillotine is a staple in both BJJ and MMA. It is high-percentage and immediate — when it is there, it finishes fast.
Multiple variations exist: arm-in, arm-out, high-elbow, Marcelotine, and D'arce. All share the same principle of compressing the carotids from the front headlock position.
Follow these steps to execute the Guillotine Choke correctly. Every step matters — skipping one leads to a failed attempt.
Snag the head during a takedown attempt or posture break in closed guard. Your armpit should be directly over the back of their neck.
Decide whether their arm is inside your choke (arm-in) or outside (arm-out). Each variant has different finishing mechanics.
Use a Gable grip or S-grip depending on variation. The grip must be tight — a loose grip bleeds all the pressure.
Elbows in, shoulders engaged. The choking arm pulls up into the neck while your other arm pulls the grip toward your chest.
Push your hips forward to extend the choke. The combination of grip pressure and hip extension compresses the neck fully.
These are the most common errors people make when attempting the Guillotine Choke. Recognize them in your own game and fix them systematically.
A loose guillotine grip lets the opponent posture out of the choke.
Fix: Lock the grip immediately and squeeze like your life depends on it. No adjusting mid-finish.
Arm-in vs arm-out requires different finishing pressure. Mixing them up weakens the choke.
Fix: Commit to one variation based on your setup. Each has its own finishing mechanic.
Guillotines finished with just biceps are weak. Use your lats and shoulders for real power.
Fix: Pull shoulders down and engage the lats. This is a whole-upper-body squeeze.
Without hip extension, the choke only uses grip pressure. You are leaving 50% of the finish on the table.
Fix: Push hips forward and arch slightly to add full-body pressure.
The Guillotine Choke is a beginner-level technique that is tested and refined at different stages of belt progression. White belts learn the mechanics, blue belts refine the setups, and purple belts integrate it into complex chains.
Mastery of core techniques like the Guillotine Choke is one of the things professors evaluate when considering a promotion. Beyond time in grade, your practical application of fundamentals matters.
Open the BJJ belt calculator to see where you stand against IBJJF minimums.
Open CalculatorThe basic grip is simple, but consistent finishing requires practice. Most white belts can catch an arm-in guillotine within their first few months.
Yes. The standing guillotine is one of the highest-percentage standing submissions in all of grappling.
Arm-in wraps one of the opponent's arms inside the choke. Arm-out leaves both their arms free. Each requires different finishing angles.
Yes. The guillotine is one of the most common MMA submissions, especially against aggressive wrestlers shooting for takedowns.
Tuck your chin, bring your trapped hand to the grip, and work to unlock the Gable grip. Posture up when possible.