Guillotine Choke: The Most Versatile Submission in Grappling

Guillotine Choke: The Most Versatile Submission in Grappling

By BJJ Sportswear Editorial Team
Reviewed by competitive black belts specializing in front headlock systems | Last Updated: January 11, 2026

The Guillotine Choke is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA’s most versatile and effective submission. Named after the medieval execution device, this choke can be applied from standing, guard, half guard, mount, and countless transition positions, making it one of the first submissions students learn yet remaining effective at the highest competitive levels.​

According to Evolve MMA’s guillotine analysis, the guillotine can be traced back to the earliest days of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and although typically one of the first chokes students are taught, it is extremely effective and frequently used at the highest levels of both BJJ and MMA.​

NAGA Fighter emphasizes that executing this move effortlessly shows how agile and versatile a grappler is, as this technique can transition to multiple attacks, guards, and submissions. The objective is to trap the opponent’s neck and lead them into a headlock, using your forearms and elbow to create a choking mechanism.​

After coaching hundreds of students and using guillotine chokes in competition and MMA coaching, I’ve found it’s the fundamental submission that appears more often than any other. Unlike complex submissions requiring specific setups, the guillotine materializes naturally whenever an opponent’s head becomes available—during takedown attempts, guard passes, or scrambles.

Whether you’re a white belt learning your first submission or a brown belt refining championship strategies, mastering guillotine mechanics gives you the most versatile finishing tool that complements all positions covered in previous articles.

What Is the Guillotine Choke?

The guillotine choke is a submission that places an opponent’s head under your armpit with your forearm under their neck, creating pressure on the carotid arteries and/or windpipe to force a tap.​

Core Guillotine Components:

• Opponent’s head trapped under your armpit
• Forearm across their neck (under chin)
• Opposite hand grabs your wrist (creates grip)
• Squeeze and lift motion applies pressure
• Works as blood choke (carotid arteries) or air choke (windpipe)
• Usually functions as combination of both

Evolve MMA notes: The choke works by putting pressure on the carotid arteries, forcing an opponent to tap out, but can also function as an air choke when forearm is pressed against windpipe. In practice, the guillotine usually functions as a combination of both.​

Understanding what is guard in BJJ helps you see why guillotine is so powerful from guard positions—you control their head while attacking.

Why the Guillotine Works Everywhere

Blood Choke vs. Air Choke

The guillotine can function as either type:​

Blood Choke Application:

• Compresses carotid arteries
• Restricts oxygen-rich blood to brain
• Causes lightheadedness quickly
• Opponent taps or loses consciousness
• More technical and effective

Air Choke Application:

• Blocks opponent’s airway
• Leads to shortness of breath
• Immediate restriction prompts quick tap
• Often more uncomfortable feeling
• Works when blood choke isn’t perfect

Most guillotines combine both mechanisms, making them extremely uncomfortable and effective.​

Universal Applicability

The guillotine works in every grappling context:​

Standing:

• Counter to takedown attempts
• Wrestler’s biggest nightmare
• Self-defense applications
• MMA cage situations

Guard Positions:

• Closed guard (most common)
• Half guard
• Butterfly guard
• Open guard variations

Top Positions:

• Mount
• Side control transitions
• Knee on belly
• North-south

Gi and No-Gi:

• Slightly preferred in no-gi​
• Works identically in both
• No-gi practitioners favor it due to lack of collar chokes
• Equally effective in gi when set up correctly

MMA and Self-Defense

Evolve MMA emphasizes: The guillotine is particularly effective against wrestlers, as they have a tendency to shoot for takedowns with their heads facing the mat.​

Self-Defense Applications:

• Extremely effective against untrained opponents
• Natural defense against tackle attempts
• Attacker’s neck almost always exposed
• Can be applied standing or after being taken down

This makes guillotine essential for real-world self-defense scenarios.

Core Guillotine Mechanics

Proper Arm Placement

NAGA Fighter emphasizes: Proper arm placement prolongs the choke and prevents opponent from escaping.​

Arm Placement Fundamentals:

1. Identify Arms

• Choking arm (goes under chin)
• Grasping arm (your free hand)

2. Choking Arm Position

• Put choking arm as high as possible
• Avoid slipping to hip level
• Forearm goes further under chin
• Deep placement is critical

3. Grasping Arm

• Free hand grasps wrist of choking arm
• Forms triangle-like shape with forearms
• Squeezes chest and neck of opponent
• Weight and pressure on windpipe area

Proper arm placement is the difference between weak choke and fight-ending submission.

Body Positioning

NAGA Fighter teaches: Body positioning determines how effective the choke will be.​

Upper Body Alignment:

• Align head with spine
• Keep head close to opponent during choke
• Keep spine straight for leverage and power
• Avoid hunching your back
• Slightly direct chest forward
• Keep shoulders relaxed
• Engage core for consistent pressure

Lower Body Alignment (From Guard):

• Wrap legs tightly around opponent’s waist
• Place feet on hips while pressing head down
• Cross ankles to secure position
• Use legs to squeeze (additional pressure)
• Tuck knees close to chest (prevents escape)

Upper and lower body must work together for maximum effectiveness.

The Squeeze and Lift Motion

Finishing mechanics:​

Finishing Actions:

• Bring elbow towards your hips
• Squeeze tightly
• Lift upward slightly
• Pull opponent into choke
• Maintain grip pressure
• Don’t crank—apply steady pressure

The motion resembles pulling something toward your chest while squeezing.

Guillotine from Closed Guard

The most common variation:​

Standard Closed Guard Guillotine

Setup:

• Opponent in your closed guard
• Pull their head down (collar tie grip)
• Head becomes available

Execution Steps:

1. Secure the Head

• From standing or guard
• Pull opponent’s head down with collar tie
• Keep them close

2. Wrap Arm Under Neck

• Wrap choking arm around and under neck
• Get arm as deep as possible
• Forearm under chin

3. Lock the Grip

• Insert opposite arm beneath their arm
• Grab your own wrist
• Create tight figure-four configuration

4. Squeeze Elbow

• Squeeze your elbow tight
• This tightens the loop around neck

5. Sit Down (If Standing)

• Bring opponent to ground
• Close your guard

6. Finish

• Bring elbow towards hips
• Squeeze tightly
• Complete submission

This is typically the first guillotine variation taught to white belts.

Key Guillotine Variations

High-Elbow Guillotine (Marcelotine)

BJJ Fanatics describes: Popularized by Marcelo Garcia, this version involves raising the choking elbow high, increasing leverage and making defense more difficult.​

Key Features:

• Elbow is above the shoulder
• Both opponent’s arms are out (no arm trapped inside)
• Stops shoulder pressure defense
• More aggressive than arm-in
• Committed to finishing (fewer transitions available)
• Better bite on neck

Digitsu notes: Keep wrist against opponent’s throat, positioning it for optimal pressure, then lift elbow up as if aiming to touch it to ceiling.​

Marcelo Garcia used this variation to submit countless opponents at the highest levels.

Arm-In Guillotine

The defensive variation:​

Configuration:

• Incorporates opponent’s arm within the choke
• Sometimes called “Renzo Trick” (after Renzo Gracie)
• Uses chinstrap grip to cup opponent’s chin
• Makes it harder for them to escape
• Requires precise angle adjustments

Benefits:

• More secure control
• Multiple transitions available
• Can switch to other submissions
• Works when standard guillotine defended

This variation allows more positional flexibility.

10-Finger Guillotine

Wrestling-style variation:​

Setup:

• Starts from sprawl position
• Counter to double-leg takedown
• As you sprawl, weave hands together
• Grip opponent’s chin like holding football

Finish:

• Use hips to drive pressure
• Push head down
• Push chin toward chest
• Choke with ten fingers interlaced

Common in no-gi and wrestling-based grappling.

Standing Guillotine

Defending takedowns:​

Application:

• Opponent shoots for takedown
• Secure collar tie quickly
• Loop free arm under chin
• Ensure chinstrap grip secure
• Forearm against windpipe
• Create seal around neck

Reddit discussion notes: To avoid being slammed, angle knees outward and stay on balls of feet for better balance.​

Standing guillotines are high-risk but extremely effective when executed properly.

Guillotine from Other Positions

From Butterfly Guard

Natural combination:​

Setup:

• Attempt butterfly sweep
• Opponent bases arms and drops hips (defending)
• Snap neck down
• Climb on top
• Apply guillotine
• Transition hooks to half guard
• Complete finish

Marcelo Garcia used this sequence extensively.

From Mount

Top position guillotine:

Application:

• Mounted position established
• Opponent turns to escape
• Slide arm under neck
• Lock grip
• Finish from top

Less common but highly effective when opportunities arise.

During Scrambles

Opportunistic applications:

Context:

• Guard passing transitions
• Failed takedown attempts
• Opponent’s head exposed during movement
• Quick reaction secures submission

The guillotine appears naturally in chaotic situations.

Defending the Guillotine

Core Defense Principles

Evolve MMA teaches: Stay calm and keep body loose and relaxed.​

Essential Defenses:

1. Stay Calm

• Don’t panic
• Panicking makes choke tighter
• Interferes with clear thinking

2. Arm Over Shoulder

• Place arm opposite of trapped head over their shoulder
• Place as high as possible
• Pressure on face with your shoulder
• Releases tension on neck (buys time)

3. Press Opponent’s Leg

• Take opposite arm and press against their leg
• Bend your elbow
• Makes them extremely uncomfortable
• Forces them to open guard

4. Leg Over and Rotate

• Place leg over the leg your elbow pressed
• Free opposite leg by sliding out
• Rotate hips to opposite side of your head
• Opponent forced to release choke

Understanding back control helps because guillotine defense sometimes leads to giving up back.

Preventing the Setup

Best defense is prevention:​​

Prevention Tactics:

• Head up! Don’t shoot with head down
• Look up! If caught, arch back and look to sky
• Good posture prevents head becoming available
• Hand fighting stops initial wrap

As Stephan Kesting emphasizes: Would you rather be punched in the face or choked out? Keep your head up!

Training Guillotine by Belt Level

For White Belts: Building Foundations

Start with basics:

Priorities:

• Master closed guard guillotine first
• Perfect arm placement
• Learn proper squeeze and lift
• Practice on compliant partners initially
• Understand blood vs. air choke difference

Resources about first BJJ class expectations help beginners understand submission progression.

Training Tip: Don’t crank necks during drilling—apply smooth, controlled pressure.

For Blue Belts: Expanding Game

Develop versatility:

Development:

• Learn high-elbow variation
• Study arm-in guillotine
• Practice standing guillotines
• Master from multiple positions
• Study Marcelo Garcia footage

Exploring blue belt development goals helps structure guillotine integration.

For Purple/Brown Belts: System Building

Create complete systems:

Advanced Focus:

• Perfect all major variations
• Develop invisible setups
• Chain with other submissions
• Master timing and angles
• Adapt to opponent-specific defenses
• Use as positional control (not just submission)

Evolve MMA notes: The guillotine can be used as a position, giving attacking student control—once control established, can work sweeps, guard passes, or transition to other submissions.​

For Black Belts: Mastery

Refine championship applications:

Master Level:

• Develop signature guillotine game
• Teach mechanics effectively
• Perfect competition timing
• Create innovative setups
• Teach proper defense

Competition Strategy

IBJJF Gi Competition

Guillotine thrives in gi:

Strategic Advantages:

• Submission ends match immediately
• Works from defensive positions
• Legal at all belt levels
• Creates constant threat
• Forces opponent caution

ADCC and No-Gi

Highly effective in submission-only:​

No-Gi Applications:

• Preferred by no-gi practitioners
• Faster setup without friction
• Works in overtime situations
• Creates scramble opportunities
• Marcelo Garcia won multiple ADCC golds using guillotines

MMA Applications

Extremely common in MMA:​

MMA Advantages:

• Defends takedowns effectively
• Works from bottom position
• Can be applied during striking exchanges
• Finishes fights immediately
• Common in UFC and all promotions

The guillotine is one of MMA’s most fight-ending submissions.

The Guillotine Legacy

From the earliest days of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to modern MMA, the guillotine choke represents grappling’s most versatile and effective submission. What makes it special isn’t complexity—it’s the simple principle of controlling the head and applying pressure to the neck that works from virtually any position.

Marcelo Garcia submitted countless world champions with guillotines. UFC fighters finish title fights with it. And white belts learn it in their first month. The guillotine proves that fundamental techniques, when mastered, work at every level.

Whether you’re defending a street attack, competing in BJJ tournaments, or fighting in MMA, the guillotine provides the most versatile finishing tool. Combined with positions from butterfly guard, closed guard, and half guard, the guillotine completes your submission arsenal.

How We Reviewed This Article

Editorial Standards: Technical information verified through Marcelo Garcia instructional content, MMA fight analysis, and contemporary guillotine specialists. Mechanical analysis reviewed by competitive black belts and MMA coaches using guillotine in tournament and cage settings. Strategic applications based on IBJJF, ADCC, UFC, and self-defense contexts (1993-2025).

Sources Referenced:

• Evolve MMA guillotine fundamentals and applications
• NAGA Fighter guillotine execution details
• Marcelo Garcia high-elbow guillotine system
• BJJ Fanatics variation analysis
• MMA competition footage and applications
• Self-defense scenarios and escapes

Last Updated: January 11, 2026