Guillotine Choke System | BJJ App Wiki
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Complete BJJ guillotine system: high arm, arm-in, 10-finger, Marcelotine — setups from guard, sprawl, and standing clinch with defense.
The guillotine is a complete attack system with multiple variations, each targeting different choke mechanisms — mastering the full system makes you dangerous from standing, guard, and scrambles.
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High-Arm Guillotine
The most reliable guillotine: arm under the chin (blade of the wrist against the throat), squeeze and pull upward while arching back. Finish: palm-to-palm grip or the marcelo-lock. Key: the arm must be under the chin, not around the neck. Used from sprawl position, standing, or closed guard.
Arm-In Guillotine
The arm-in variation traps one arm inside the choke, creating a tighter lock but slower choke. Grip: overhook their arm, wrap around the neck, and apply pressure with your forearm into the carotid. Best finished from closed guard by pulling the head to your chest and crossing your feet low.
10-Finger (Gator) Guillotine
The 10-finger (also called the gator choke): interlock all ten fingers around the neck and drive the thumbs into the carotid arteries. This is a direct carotid attack that can choke very quickly but requires correct hand placement. Used as a variation when the standard grip fails.
Marcelotine (Marcelo Variation)
Marcelo Garcia's signature variation: the wrist is cupped under the chin (rather than the forearm), and the finish is a pull-up motion rather than a squeeze. The Marcelotine is effective from open guard when the opponent shoots on you or from north-south when they turn into you.
Guillotine Defense and Escapes
Defending the guillotine: when caught standing — tuck chin and immediately drive your head into their hip to create space; when in guard — posture up and walk your hand to create angle. Stack defense: if they lock standing, step to the side and walk toward their body to stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
The high-arm guillotine primarily chokes the trachea (windpipe) — slower but still effective. The 10-finger/gator guillotine targets the carotid arteries — faster but harder to set up. The arm-in guillotine can target both depending on placement.
Two issues: (1) Not closing guard tightly — without guard, they can walk and stack you; (2) Too much neck pressure instead of angle — you need to pull their head into your chest AND angle your body 45 degrees to the trapped arm side.
Marcelo Garcia is widely considered the best guillotine practitioner in BJJ history. His guillotine from north-south and standing is legendary. Renzo Gracie, Ricardo Arona, and Ryan Hall are also known for elite guillotine systems.
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Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
To prevent head slippage in the 🪒 Guillotine Choke System from guard, ensure your hips are driving forward and up, creating a strong base. Simultaneously, your chest should be pressed firmly into their shoulder or bicep, while your choking arm's bicep is locked against their neck and your grip is tight behind their head.
Against a larger opponent in the 🪒 Guillotine Choke System, focus on creating a tight seal by driving your shoulder into their carotid artery and using your hips to elevate their head. Once locked, your secondary arm should secure their head, and you'll use your lats and core to pull them into your chest, effectively cutting off blood flow.
When your opponent shrimps away from side control, quickly pivot your hips and bring your leg over their shoulder to establish a high guard. Immediately transition your arm position to secure the 🪒 Guillotine Choke System by trapping their head with your armpit and locking your grip behind their head, using your hips to maintain forward pressure.
More Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from stacking me when I'm setting up a guillotine?
To counter stacking, focus on maintaining a strong base and keeping your hips low. You can also use your legs to create frames against their hips or shoulders, preventing them from driving down effectively.
What's the difference between a high-risk and low-risk guillotine finish?
A high-risk finish often involves going for the choke with less control, increasing the chance of the opponent escaping or transitioning. A low-risk finish prioritizes securing dominant positional control before fully committing to the choke, making it more reliable.
When is the best time to transition from a guillotine to another submission?
If your opponent is defending the guillotine effectively by posturing up or relieving pressure, it's often a good time to transition. Look for opportunities to take their back, secure a side control, or even transition to a triangle choke if the setup allows.