# Guillotine Choke

> A front-headlock submission family that wraps the opponent's neck and controls posture from standing, guard, or top position.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/guillotine-choke
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/guillotine-choke.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/guillotine-choke
- **Category:** submission
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** fundamental
- **Aliases:** guillotine, front headlock choke, arm-in guillotine
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

The guillotine is a family rather than one grip. High-elbow, arm-in, ten-finger, power, and Marcelotine-style variations change the arm position and the way the attack controls the shoulders.

The attack is common during takedowns and scrambles because the opponent's head is exposed in front. Strong guillotine systems also use the grip to sweep, transition to front headlock control, or take the back instead of forcing a fading choke.

## Key principles

- Control the head and shoulder line, not only the neck.
- Keep the opponent from passing to the safe side.
- Close space with the torso before squeezing with the arms.
- Use the attack to improve position when the finish is not aligned.

## Common entries

- **Takedown defense:** Capture the head as the opponent's posture collapses during a leg attack.
- **Front headlock:** Connect the choking grip after a snap-down or sprawl.
- **Guard:** Wrap the neck as the opponent drives forward with the head inside.


## Productive next actions

- **Sweep:** Use the head-and-arm connection to redirect the opponent and come on top.
- **Back control:** Move behind the shoulders when the opponent turns to relieve neck pressure.
- **D'Arce:** Thread deeper around the arm and neck when the elbow separates.


## Defensive priorities

- **Safe-side movement:** Move the body toward the side that reduces the choking angle.
- **Posture and hand fight:** Control the choking wrist and rebuild head position before driving.
- **Shoulder alignment:** Prevent the attacker from folding the head toward the chest.

## Rules and safety

The submission is widely recognized, but age, belt, finishing direction, and ruleset can change what is legal. Train the finish under qualified supervision and check the current event rules.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## Related techniques

- [D'Arce Choke](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/darce-choke)
- [Single-Leg Takedown](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/single-leg-takedown)
- [Rear Naked Choke](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/rear-naked-choke)
- [Wrestle-Up](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/wrestle-up)

## Associated athletes

- [Marcelo Garcia](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/marcelo-garcia): Five-time IBJJF World Champion, four-time ADCC champion, and one of the most beloved pound-for-pound greats in jiu-jitsu history.
- [Pedro Marinho](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/pedro-marinho): Gracie Barra no-gi standout, 2021 IBJJF World No-Gi double-gold champion, and WNO 205 lb titleholder.
- [Kaynan Duarte](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/kaynan-duarte): Four-time ADCC World Champion, 2024 ADCC double-gold winner, and two-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion.
- [Charles Oliveira](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/charles-oliveira): Former UFC lightweight champion and all-time UFC submission king who carried favela-bred jiu-jitsu into the Octagon.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/guillotine-choke and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*