How to Execute a Perfect Guillotine Choke Lock
If you're a fan of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), you're probably familiar with the guillotine choke hold. It's a powerful submission that can be executed from a variety of positions, and when done correctly, it can put your opponent to sleep or force them to tap out. In this article, we will break down the technique for executing a perfect guillotine choke lock.
Understanding the Guillotine Choke
Before we dive into the specifics of executing a guillotine choke lock, let's first discuss what it is and why it's an effective submission hold. A guillotine choke is a submission hold that involves wrapping your arm around your opponent's neck and using your body weight to apply pressure to the neck and throat. The choke can be executed in a standing position or on the ground, and it is known for its effectiveness in both gi and no-gi grappling.
There are two main types of guillotine chokes, the traditional guillotine, and the high elbow guillotine. The traditional guillotine involves wrapping your arm around your opponent's neck and grabbing your own bicep to create the choking pressure. The high elbow guillotine involves wrapping your arm around your opponent's neck, but instead of grabbing your own bicep, you grab your own wrist to create the choke.
Executing a Perfect Guillotine Choke Lock
Now that we understand the basics of the guillotine choke, let's discuss the steps for executing a perfect guillotine choke lock.
Step 1: Set up the position
The first step in executing a guillotine choke is to set up the position. There are many ways to set up the guillotine choke, but one common way is to use a front headlock position. To get into a front headlock position, start by wrapping your arm around your opponent's neck while controlling their head with your other arm. From here, you can either drop down to your knees, pulling their head down towards your chest while keeping your arm wrapped around their neck, or you can pull them down to the ground and keep your arm wrapped around their neck.
Step 2: Execute the choke
Once you're in position, it's time to start executing the choke. If you're using a traditional guillotine, you will want to grab your own bicep with your free hand. If you're using a high elbow guillotine, you will want to grab your own wrist with your free hand. From here, you want to apply pressure by squeezing your arms together, using your body weight, and pushing your hips forward.
It's important to note that you don't want to just squeeze your opponent's neck as hard as you can. This can actually make it more difficult to get the submission. Instead, you want to create a bone-on-bone compression by squeezing your arms together, using your body weight, and pushing your hips forward.
Step 3: Finish the Submission
Once you have the choke locked in, it's time to finish the submission. If you're using a traditional guillotine, you can finish the submission by pulling your opponent's head down towards your chest while bridging your hips forward. If you're using a high elbow guillotine, you can finish the submission by lifting your elbow up towards the ceiling while arching your back.
It's important to apply pressure slowly and steadily to avoid injuring your opponent. Watch out for signs of distress from your opponent such as gagging, tapping, or going unconscious. If you feel any of these signs, ease up on the pressure or release the hold entirely.
Tips for Executing a Perfect Guillotine Choke Lock
Now that we've gone over the steps for executing a perfect guillotine choke lock, let's go over some tips to help you get the most out of this submission hold.
Tip #1: Don't Rush
When executing a guillotine choke, it's important not to rush. Take your time setting up the position and getting your grip locked in. If you rush, you may lose your grip or end up in a position where your opponent can escape the hold.
Tip #2: Use Your Legs
Don't underestimate the power of your legs when executing a guillotine choke. By using your legs to apply pressure, you can create even more force and increase the effectiveness of the choke.
Tip #3: Keep Your Elbows Tucked
When executing a guillotine choke, it's important to keep your elbows tucked in towards your body. This will help you create a tighter grip on your opponent and make it more difficult for them to escape.
Tip #4: Stay Calm
Executing a guillotine choke can be a high-stress situation, especially if you're in a competition. It's important to stay calm throughout the process. Take deep breaths and focus on your technique. Panic can lead to mistakes.
Conclusion
The guillotine choke is a powerful submission hold that can be executed from a variety of positions. By understanding the technique and following the steps outlined in this article, you'll be well on your way to executing a perfect guillotine choke lock. Remember to take your time, use your legs, keep your elbows tucked, and stay calm. With practice, you'll be executing this submission hold like a pro.