Arm-In Guillotine: Advanced Gi Choke Technique
☰Contents
Master the arm-in guillotine choke with grip variations, defense strategies, and counter-attacks for advanced BJJ students.
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The Arm-In Guillotine Overview
The arm-in guillotine is an advanced variation of the classic guillotine choke where your opponent's arm is wrapped inside the choke. This variation makes the choke tighter and harder to escape compared to the standard guillotine.
Setup from Guard
From Closed Guard
Control opponent's posture with a collar grip and underhook. Lock in the arm-in guillotine by threading your arm through their neck and trapping their arm against your chest. The tighter you pull their arm in, the more effective the choke.
The Gi Grip Variation
Use your lapel grip to control your opponent's collar while feeding your other arm underneath their arm and across their neck. This gi-specific variation applies intense pressure.
Grip Mechanics
The Standard Grip
Lock your hands around your opponent's neck with their arm trapped between your forearm and their neck. Squeeze tightly by pulling your hands toward your chest.
The High Elbow Grip
Keep your elbow high and tight against your opponent's body while applying pressure. This variation is especially effective when defending against escape attempts.
Advanced Transitions
- Arm-in to standard guillotine (if they escape the arm)
- Arm-in guillotine to back control (if they turn)
- Arm-in to armbar (if they stack)
Common Defense Counters
Opponents will attempt to stack you, turn toward you, or posture out. Learn to recognize these defense attempts and maintain your choke grip throughout.