Reverse Wrap Front Choke

SubFamily

Translation: Front Headlock Choke (katakana loanword)

Range & classification

Overview

Reverse-wrap front chokes apply choking pressure from the front headlock using a reverse grip configuration — the choking arm wraps in the opposite direction from a standard guillotine. ^[1] This can involve wrapping the arm from the far side of the neck, or using an inverted grip that creates compression from a different angle than the standard front choke. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Reverse-Wrap Guillotine^[1]Inverted Headlock ChokeWrestling^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Reverse-wrap variations developed in modern BJJ and MMA competition as practitioners explored alternative angles from the front headlock position. ^[1],[2],[3]

Country of origin· shown in random order

BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
JapanBJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
USASubmission Grappling, MMA
RussiaSambo

Effectiveness

The reverse wrap mechanic provides an alternative angle of attack from front headlock, maintaining head control while redirecting choking pressure to the far side of the neck ^[1]

Lineage

Developed as part of the comprehensive front headlock submission system explored by Danaher, Marcelo Garcia, and modern no-gi competitors ^[1]

Competition Record

The reverse wrap principle has produced competition finishes primarily at regional and national no-gi events ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Compression of the neck structures — restricts blood flow or airway depending on technique application

Joints Involved — Cervical spine, surrounding musculature, and vascular structures of the neck

Force Vector — Directed compression against the neck from the choking limb or body position

Finishing Mechanic — Sustained pressure causes either vascular occlusion (unconsciousness) or tracheal restriction (breathing difficulty)

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

Redneckjiujitsu

HOW TO DO THE REVERSE GUILLOTINE CHOKE EXECUTIONER BJJ JIU JITSU

Reverse Wrap Front Choke·Redneckjiujitsu

Master Gator demostrates the "Make America Great Again" Submission on Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Jon Van Buren

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

Reverse-wrap chokes use an inverted grip pattern from front headlock for a different angle of attack

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Advanced

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

Legal

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— shime-waza

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— 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 RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The reverse-wrap front choke subfamily groups all front headlock chokes where the choking arm wraps the neck from the opposite direction — the far arm crosses over rather than the near arm wrapping naturally (Danaher, Front Headlock System: Go Further Faster, 2019)

✓The 'reverse wrap' is the defining characteristic: in standard front headlock chokes, the near arm wraps; in this subfamily, the far arm crosses the opponent's midline to wrap from the other side

✓This subfamily contains the reverse guillotine genus and its species: from front headlock, from sprawl with spin-behind, with elbow-pin finish, and with overhook assist

✓The reverse-wrap concept expands the front headlock attack menu: opponents who successfully defend near-side wraps (standard guillotine) are vulnerable to far-side wraps (reverse)

✓The subfamily is biomechanically distinct: the cross-over wrap attacks a different portion of the neck, potentially finding the carotid when near-side wraps miss

✓The reverse wrap complements rather than replaces near-side techniques: a complete front headlock game includes both wrapping directions

✓The reverse-wrap front choke is a relatively modern addition to the front headlock system: it was systematised as practitioners sought answers to improved guillotine defence

Common Mistakes

!Treating the reverse wrap as a separate system from standard front headlock — it uses the same position; the only difference is the wrapping direction

!Not understanding when to switch from near-side to far-side wrap — the switch is triggered by the opponent's defensive positioning; learn to read which side is exposed

!Attempting the cross-over wrap from too far away — the far arm must reach across; if the distance is too great, the wrap is shallow

!Not training transitions between near and far wrap — the ability to switch wrapping direction mid-sequence is the key skill

!Neglecting the standard guillotine in favour of the reverse — the standard is higher-percentage for most situations; the reverse is for when the standard is defended

!Not having finishing methods for the reverse wrap — train elbow pin, overhook assist, and squeeze specifically for the reverse direction

!Over-complicating the front headlock system — the reverse wrap adds one wrapping direction; it shouldn't create confusion about when to use which technique

Related Techniques

Escape — defensive technique to relieve choking pressure and recover position Tap (Submission Signal) — the safety mechanism indicating the technique is effective

Counter Techniques

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

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

Wikipedia ja (フロントチョーク); Japanese BJJ community

1WebsiteWikipedia Japanese

Japanese Wikipedia — martial arts technique articles

2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention

Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities

3CitationWikipedia ja (フロントチョーク); Japanese BJJ community

Japanese terminology sourced from Wikipedia ja (フロントチョーク); Japanese BJJ community

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

Find by what a technique does — not its name

Every move, in any martial art, shares a few universal traits. Mix and match below to pinpoint the right tool — or compare equivalents across styles.

Reverse Guillotine

Genus

The reverse guillotine applies a front headlock choke with the attacker facing the opposite direction from a standard guillotine — wrapping the arm around the neck from the reverse angle, typically with the attacker's body perpendicular to or facing away from the opponent. [1,2] This reverse orientation changes the angle of compression and can catch opponents who are defending the standard guillotine direction. [1] The reverse guillotine is often encountered during scrambles or when the attacker spins to a different angle during a front headlock exchange. [1,3]

2 species·5 techniquesExplore

Frequently Asked Questions

What position do you end up in after the freedom flip when setting up the reverse wrap front choke?

You end up in side control after executing the freedom flip, from which you can transition into the technique.

What do you do if your opponent pushes hard into you during the reverse wrap front choke setup?

Step over and come back around to re-establish control when your opponent pushes into you aggressively.

How does the Reverse Wrap Front Choke work?

Reverse-wrap front chokes apply choking pressure from the front headlock using a reverse grip configuration — the choking arm wraps in the opposite direction from a standard guillotine. This can involve wrapping the arm from the far side of the neck, or using an inverted grip that creates compression from a different angle than the standard front choke.

Where does the Reverse Wrap Front Choke come from?

Reverse-wrap variations developed in modern BJJ and MMA competition as practitioners explored alternative angles from the front headlock position.

Is the Reverse Wrap Front 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 Reverse Wrap Front Choke?

Danger rating 8/10. Reverse-wrap chokes use an inverted grip pattern from front headlock for a different angle of attack

How do I set up the Reverse Wrap Front Choke?

The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.

How do I defend against the Reverse Wrap Front 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 Reverse Wrap Front 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 Reverse Wrap Front Choke in competition?

The reverse wrap principle has produced competition finishes primarily at regional and national no-gi events

What are common mistakes when doing the Reverse Wrap Front Choke?

Top errors to watch for: Treating the reverse wrap as a separate system from standard front headlock — it uses the same position; the only dif… / Not understanding when to switch from near-side to far-side wrap — the switch is triggered by the opponent's defensiv… / Attempting the cross-over wrap from too far away — the far arm must reach across; if the distance is too great, the w… / Not training transitions between near and far wrap — the ability to switch wrapping direction mid-sequence is the key….

What are other names for the Reverse Wrap Front Choke?

The Reverse Wrap Front Choke is also known as Furonto Heddorokku Chōku, Reverse-Wrap Guillotine, Inverted Headlock Choke.

furonto heddorokku ch ku submission choke and strangle lock front headlock choke reverse wrap front choke reverse wrap guillotine inverted headlock choke