Reverse-Wrap Front Choke

SubFamily

フロントヘッドロックチョーク(Furonto Heddorokku Chōku)

Transliteration

Translation: Front Headlock Choke (katakana loanword)

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]

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]

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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

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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

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

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