Mastering the Guillotine Choke: Techniques and Tips

The guillotine choke is a versatile and effective submission technique in grappling, applicable from various positions. This guide covers the mechanics of the guillotine choke, including setups from standing, turtle, and mount positions, as well as variations like the army guillotine.

The guillotine choke is one of the most favored moves in grappling, known for its simplicity and effectiveness. This technique can be executed from various positions, making it a versatile tool in a grappler’s arsenal. In this post, we will explore the mechanics of the guillotine choke, its applications, and some variations to enhance your grappling game.

Understanding the Guillotine Choke

The guillotine choke can be performed both from standing and on the ground. While it is effective from various positions, caution is advised when attempting it from your back, as there is a risk of your opponent escaping. However, when executed from a dominant position, such as on top, the guillotine choke becomes a low-risk submission.

Basic Mechanics of the Guillotine Choke

To initiate the guillotine choke, follow these steps:

1. Positioning: Start in an internal position where your opponent’s head is not tucked and their shoulders are down. This creates an opportunity to grab their chin.
2. Grip: Use one hand to grab your opponent’s chin while the other hand secures a grip around their neck.
3. Body Position: Place your chest on the back of their head, pulling your shoulders back and sticking your chest out. This action compresses the space around their neck.
4. Pressure: Ensure that the base of your thumb is pressing against their throat, applying pressure effectively.

Executing the Guillotine from Turtle Position

If you find yourself in a turtle position and the guillotine choke is not working immediately, consider transitioning to mount:

1. Initial Attempt: Attempt the guillotine grip while your opponent is in turtle. If they do not tap quickly, you need to adjust.
2. Transition to Mount: Shoot your arm under for an underhook and grab your opponent’s far tricep. Bring your arm up to your ear and circle your body to mount.
3. Finishing the Choke: From mount, you can either maintain the guillotine grip or transition directly into a more dominant position.

Finishing the Guillotine from Mount

When you are in mount, the guillotine choke can be executed with relative safety:

1. Hand Positioning: Reach behind your opponent’s neck, wrapping your hand around to your own chest. This creates a secure grip.
2. Pinning: If possible, pin one of your opponent’s hands under your knee to limit their movement.
3. Applying Pressure: Bring your shoulder to their ear and thread your hand through to the other side of their neck. This positioning allows you to finish the choke effectively.

The Army Guillotine Variation

Another variation of the guillotine choke is the army guillotine, which can be executed from half guard:

1. Positioning: If you have one of your opponent’s arms pinned outside your hips, reach over their neck and grab your own head.
2. Body Mechanics: Lay back while keeping your knee high to prevent your opponent from passing. This position creates pressure on their neck.
3. Twisting Motion: Twist your body into your opponent to ensure your bicep is pressing against their neck, enhancing the effectiveness of the choke.

Conclusion

The guillotine choke is a powerful submission technique that can be adapted to various situations in grappling. As simple as it appears, it requires adjustments and adaptations when dealing with getting it from various positions. Once the “feeling” is there, it is an excellent submission to have in your arsenal.