Every Jiu Jitsu Submission Explained in 8 Minutes
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Fulcrum Headlock Choke·JoshRichBJJ
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Fulcrum Headlock Choke
Genusフルクラムヘッドロックチョーク(Furukuramu Heddorokku Chōku)
TransliterationTranslation: Fulcrum Headlock Choke (katakana loanword)
Overview
The fulcrum headlock choke uses a bony prominence — typically the wrist, forearm, or fist — as a focused pressure point against the throat or carotid from a front headlock position. [1],[2] Unlike the wrapping guillotine that encircles the neck, the fulcrum variant drives a specific point into the neck using leverage from the controlling position. [1] The attacker maintains a front headlock and positions the fulcrum point precisely against the target structure, then uses body weight to apply pressure. [1],[3]
History & Origin
Fulcrum-based chokes from the front headlock developed in catch wrestling and submission grappling, where using bony prominences for targeted pressure was a recognized finishing method. [1],[2] In BJJ, the fulcrum headlock choke became an alternative finish for practitioners who preferred focused pressure over circumferential strangulation. [1],[3]
Effectiveness
Fulcrum headlock chokes are biomechanically efficient — focused pressure on a small area creates higher compression per unit of force than distributed squeezing. Underutilised but effective when applied correctly. [1]
Lineage
Catch wrestling lineage — direct bone-to-artery pressure techniques are fundamental to catch wrestling submissions. The genus was incorporated into the BJJ front headlock taxonomy as the system expanded beyond guillotines. [1]
Competition Record
Primarily seen in catch wrestling and submission wrestling competition. Beginning to appear more frequently in no-gi grappling as front headlock systems become more comprehensive. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From standing (opponent shoots) — Sprawl on the shot, secure chin-strap grip around the neck, lock the guillotine and pull guard or finish standing
From closed guard — Opponent dives head down, wrap arm around the neck, clasp hands and arch the back while squeezing
From front headlock (snap-down) — Snap the opponent's head down, secure the chin-strap, sit to guard or sprawl to finish
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Fulcrum headlock chokes use a bracing point to amplify front headlock compression
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The fulcrum headlock choke is a genus of front headlock submissions that use a structural fulcrum (elbow or forearm bone) to compress the carotid arteries — distinct from the wrapping mechanism of guillotines (Danaher, Front Headlock System: Go Further Faster, 2019)
✓The fulcrum principle: instead of wrapping the arm around the neck and squeezing (as in a guillotine), a specific bone is pressed directly into the artery — the fulcrum creates focal pressure
✓The genus includes two primary species: elbow-fulcrum (point pressure from the olecranon) and forearm-fulcrum (bar pressure from the radius bone) — both applied from front headlock
✓The fulcrum headlock choke shares the front headlock platform with guillotines and anacondas but uses a different choking mechanism — this creates a multi-threat system from one position
✓Biomechanically, the fulcrum is more efficient per unit of force: focused pressure on a small area creates higher pressure than distributed squeezing over a wider area
✓The fulcrum choke transitions with the guillotine: when the guillotine wrap is shallow, the forearm naturally positions for a fulcrum press — converting a failed guillotine into a fulcrum choke
✓In catch wrestling, direct bone-to-artery pressure is a traditional submission method — the fulcrum headlock choke adapts this principle to the BJJ front headlock system
Common Mistakes
!Treating the fulcrum choke as a lesser technique — it is a legitimate submission that finishes at high levels when applied correctly
!Not developing sensitivity to artery location — the fulcrum requires precise placement on the carotid; develop this through controlled drilling
!Applying the fulcrum to the trachea — always target the lateral neck; front-of-throat pressure is an air choke, not a blood choke
!Using only squeezing force — the fulcrum works through bone placement and body weight, not muscular contraction
!Not integrating the fulcrum into a front headlock system — use it alongside guillotines and anacondas; the fulcrum is most effective as one tool among several
!Attempting without a tight headlock — the head must be controlled for the fulcrum to maintain artery contact
!Applying excessive force in training — the focal nature of the fulcrum creates intense pressure quickly; progressive application is essential for safety
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community standard katakana transliteration
Community
Athletics
Requires
forearm and grip strength, hip flexibility for guard retention
Favours
longer arms for deeper chin-strap wrap
Key muscles
forearm flexors, biceps, hip flexors
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fulcrum Headlock Choke used for?
The snippets provided do not contain information about the Fulcrum Headlock Choke specifically.
How does the Fulcrum Headlock Choke work?
The fulcrum headlock choke uses a bony prominence — typically the wrist, forearm, or fist — as a focused pressure point against the throat or carotid from a front headlock position. Unlike the wrapping guillotine that encircles the neck, the fulcrum variant drives a specific point into the neck using leverage from the controlling position.
Where does the Fulcrum Headlock Choke come from?
Fulcrum-based chokes from the front headlock developed in catch wrestling and submission grappling, where using bony prominences for targeted pressure was a recognized finishing method. In BJJ, the fulcrum headlock choke became an alternative finish for practitioners who preferred focused pressure over circumferential strangulation.
Is the Fulcrum Headlock Choke legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Fulcrum Headlock Choke?
Danger rating 8/10. Fulcrum headlock chokes use a bracing point to amplify front headlock compression
How do I set up the Fulcrum Headlock Choke?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Fulcrum Headlock Choke?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Fulcrum Headlock Choke?
Common variants: Arm-in guillotine (traps the opponent's arm inside the choke for additional …); High-elbow guillotine (Marcelotine) (elevates the elbow above the head for stronger carotid co…); Standing guillotine (finished from the feet without pulling guard); Power guillotine (chin-strap grip with a rear-naked-choke-style finish for …).
How effective is the Fulcrum Headlock Choke in competition?
Primarily seen in catch wrestling and submission wrestling competition. Beginning to appear more frequently in no-gi grappling as front headlock systems become more comprehensive.
What are common mistakes when doing the Fulcrum Headlock Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Treating the fulcrum choke as a lesser technique — it is a legitimate submission that finishes at high levels when ap… / Not developing sensitivity to artery location — the fulcrum requires precise placement on the carotid; develop this t… / Applying the fulcrum to the trachea — always target the lateral neck; front-of-throat pressure is an air choke, not a… / Using only squeezing force — the fulcrum works through bone placement and body weight, not muscular contraction.
What are other names for the Fulcrum Headlock Choke?
The Fulcrum Headlock Choke is also known as Furukuramu Heddorokku Chōku, Fulcrum Front Choke, Lever Headlock.