Guillotine

The Guillotine is a highly effective submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, and MMA. It is a choke that targets the opponent's neck by applying pressure with the arm or arms, often using the opponent's body position against them. The Guillotine is versatile, allowing it to be applied from multiple positions, including standing, Guard, and Turtle Control.

Mechanics of the Guillotine

Choke Type

  • The Guillotine is primarily an air choke that targets the trachea or a blood choke when the pressure compresses the carotid arteries.

Grip

  • The choking arm wraps around the opponent’s neck, and the other hand reinforces the choke using grips like the Butterfly Grip, Gable Grip, or wrist control.

Finishing Motion

  • The choke is finished by pulling upward with the choking arm while lifting your hips or chest to create a fulcrum that tightens the choke.

Steps to Execute the Guillotine

Setup

  • Trap the opponent’s head under your arm when they shoot for a takedown, expose their neck, or lower their posture.
  • Wrap your arm around their neck, ensuring the blade of your forearm aligns with their throat.

Grip the Hands

Adjust Position

  • Pull their head into your chest and lock your guard (if on bottom) or sprawl your hips (if on top).

Apply the Choke

  • Squeeze your arms together while lifting your chest or extending your hips to create pressure on their neck.

Common Variations of the Guillotine

Arm-In Guillotine

  • The opponent's arm is trapped inside the choke, making it more secure but requiring greater precision to finish.

No-Arm Guillotine

  • The choke is applied without the opponent’s arm inside, focusing directly on their neck for faster results.

Mounted Guillotine

  • Executed from Mount, using your weight to pin the opponent and amplify pressure.

Standing Guillotine

  • Applied from a standing position, often during a sprawl or when countering a takedown attempt.

High-Elbow Guillotine (Marcelotine)

  • The choking arm lifts high, creating a tighter angle and more efficient choke.

Common Positions for the Guillotine

From Guard Bottom

  • A classic setup when the opponent drives forward to pass your guard. Trap their neck and secure your grip, locking your guard to finish.

From Guard Top

  • As the opponent exposes their neck during a sweep or scramble, you can secure the choke and sprawl to finish.

From Standing

  • Counter a takedown attempt or shoot by trapping their neck and sprawling to finish the choke.

From Turtle Control

  • When the opponent is in Turtle Guard, reach under their neck to secure the guillotine grip and apply pressure.

During Transitions and Scrambles

  • The choke is effective during positional changes when the opponent’s neck becomes exposed.

Key Concepts for the Guillotine

Grip Tightness

  • A secure grip ensures the choke is tight and prevents the opponent from escaping.

Hip and Chest Pressure

  • Use your hips or chest as a fulcrum to amplify the choking pressure.

Angles and Adjustments

  • Slight adjustments to your angle or arm positioning can make the choke significantly tighter.

Defending Against the Guillotine

Posture

  • Maintain a strong, upright posture to prevent the opponent from securing your neck.

Hand Fighting

  • Break their grip before they can lock in the choke.

Escape Early

  • Create space or roll to relieve pressure before the choke is fully applied.

Body Movement

  • Pass to the side opposite of their choking arm to nullify the choke’s pressure.

The Guillotine is a versatile and high-percentage submission that works across multiple scenarios, combining leverage, timing, and precise grips to control and finish opponents.

Positioning

The Guillotine is effective from positions where you can control the opponent’s posture and capitalize on their exposed neck, making it one of the most versatile chokes in grappling.

Guard Bottom

Setup

  • When the opponent drives forward to pass your guard, their neck is often exposed.

Execution

  • Wrap their neck with your arm, secure the grip, and lock your guard around their hips to trap their movement.

Why It Works

  • The guard allows you to control their posture and use your legs to generate pressure.

Guard Top

Setup

  • As the opponent tries to sweep or frame against you, they may expose their neck.

Execution

  • Secure the guillotine grip, sprawl your hips back, and drive your weight into the choke.

Why It Works

  • You have the ability to pressure their neck directly while controlling their movement.

Standing

Setup

  • The opponent shoots for a takedown or exposes their neck in a clinch or scramble.

Execution

  • Trap their neck with your arm, secure the grip, and sprawl your legs to apply the choke.

Why It Works

  • The standing position allows you to use gravity and body weight to apply the choke effectively.

Turtle Control

Setup

  • When the opponent is in Turtle Guard, reach under their neck and secure a guillotine grip.

Execution

  • Pull their neck into the choke while controlling their posture or rolling them to their side for a tighter finish.

Why It Works

  • The Turtle Guard position often leaves the neck vulnerable.

Side Control

Setup

  • As the opponent turns into you to escape or recover guard, they may expose their neck.

Execution

  • Secure the guillotine grip and transition to a Mount or sprawl position to finish.

Why It Works

  • The transition creates a natural opening for the choke.

Mount

Setup

  • From Mount, as the opponent frames against you or tries to escape, they may expose their neck.

Execution

  • Secure the guillotine grip and apply the choke by driving your weight forward or transitioning to Guard Bottom.

Why It Works

  • You can use your weight to maintain control and add pressure to the choke.

During Scrambles

Setup

  • The opponent may expose their neck during positional transitions or when recovering from a failed takedown or sweep.

Execution

  • Quickly secure the neck and apply the choke before they regain position.

Why It Works

  • The chaotic nature of scrambles often creates opportunities for quick submissions.

Half Guard (Bottom or Top)

Setup

  • From Half Guard, the opponent may expose their neck when framing or attempting to pass.

Execution

  • Secure the guillotine grip and use your legs to control their movement while finishing the choke.

Why It Works

  • Half Guard provides a platform for controlling posture and transitioning to the choke.

North South

Setup

Execution

  • Wrap their neck, secure the grip, and sprawl to create choking pressure.

Why It Works

  • The position isolates their head and neck, limiting their defensive options.

Key Elements

Neck Exposure

  • The guillotine is most effective when the opponent's neck is unprotected or their posture is broken.

Grip and Leverage

  • A tight grip and proper hip positioning amplify the choking pressure.

Transitions

  • Many guillotine setups arise during transitions, making awareness and quick execution crucial.

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