The guillotine choke is one of the most practical and common submissions seen in both MMA and Jiu Jitsu. Once you have an effective guillotine, you literally base your whole ground game around it.
It resembles a meathead front headlock, but done correctly is actually extremely technical to apply and also to escape.
The choke can be applied from the standing postion, from the floor when on your back in guard or a variation of guard.
Guillotine from Guard
The guillotine is often applied from the guard position. It can be especially effective against a wrestler’s double-leg takedown, as the head is often in the perfect position for the choke to be applied.
The MG Guillotine Choke
Arguably the most effective guillotine technique from guard is the Marcello Garcia Guillotine.
This version needs a bit of shoulder flexibility.
- Scoot your hips back, away from the opponent/partner
- Grab the pinky of your choking hand
- Push the opponent’s head towards his chest
- Fall to the side of your choking hand (slightly, don’t roll over)
- Extend your legs to push your opponent’s body back & tighten the choke
- Keep pressure on top of the opponent’s head to prevent an easy escape:
Great Breakdown of the full technique here:
Standing Guillotine Set Ups
From Over/Under Position
From Wrestling Clinch & Arm Tie
