Guillotine Guard excerpt 1 - An extremly strong Triangle Choke setup
0
Reverse Guillotine·EffortlessJiuJitsu·Added by Admin
In this video BJJ Blackbelt Björn Friedrich shows you a Triangle Choke from the Guillotine Guard. The Guillotine Guard i…
Reverse Guillotine
Genusリバースギロチン(Ribāsu Girochin)
TransliterationTranslation: Reverse Guillotine (katakana loanword)
Overview
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]
History & Origin
The reverse guillotine developed as a variation within BJJ's front headlock system, emerging when practitioners found themselves at reverse angles during scrambles. [1],[2] Rather than abandoning the headlock, competitors learned to finish from the inverted position, creating a technique that has become a recognized part of the front headlock arsenal. [1],[3]
Effectiveness
A secondary front headlock attack with moderate overall effectiveness; works best as a counter when opponents defend the standard guillotine by hiding the chin or swimming the arm [1]
Lineage
The reverse guillotine concept evolved from the standard guillotine family as no-gi grappling developed in the 2000s-2010s; explored by Marcelo Garcia, 10th Planet, and Danaher systems [1]
Competition Record
Occasional finishes at ADCC and no-gi worlds, but far less common than the standard guillotine or D'Arce as a primary attack [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
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
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Reverse-wrap chokes use an inverted grip pattern from front headlock for a different angle of attack
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 reverse guillotine is a genus of front headlock chokes that wrap the arm around the neck from the opposite direction of the standard guillotine — the far arm crosses over to attack a different angle of the neck (Danaher, Front Headlock System: Go Further Faster, 2019)
✓The 'reverse' refers to the wrapping direction: standard guillotines wrap with the near-side arm, while reverse guillotines cross the far-side arm over to wrap from the opposite direction
✓The reverse guillotine genus includes species from front headlock (direct reverse wrap) and sprawl-spin-behind (reverse wrap from behind after spinning)
✓The reverse direction attacks a different neck angle: when the standard guillotine is defended by turning toward the choking arm, the reverse guillotine attacks the exposed opposite side
✓The reverse guillotine creates a 360-degree threat from front headlock: combined with the standard guillotine, the entire circumference of the neck is vulnerable
✓Finishing methods include elbow pin (mat compression), overhook assist (shoulder wedge), and standard squeeze — each adapted for the reverse-direction wrap
✓The reverse guillotine is less common than the standard but equally effective: its rarity makes it a surprise weapon that opponents rarely train to defend
Common Mistakes
!Confusing the reverse guillotine with a standard guillotine applied from the other side — the reverse specifically refers to the far arm crossing over from front headlock
!Not understanding when to use reverse vs standard — the reverse is effective when the standard side is defended; it's a complement, not a default
!Attempting the reverse wrap without head control — the cross-over reach takes longer than the standard; the head must be secured first
!Not having finishing options — the reverse guillotine benefits from multiple finish methods; train elbow pin, overhook, and squeeze variations
!Drilling the reverse without mastering the standard — the standard guillotine is the foundation; the reverse builds on that understanding
!Not integrating with the front headlock system — the reverse guillotine should be one option alongside standard guillotine, anaconda, D'Arce, and fulcrum
!Over-relying on the surprise factor — while the reverse guillotine is unexpected, it must be technically sound; surprise alone doesn't finish
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; derived from ギロチンチョーク
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese BJJ community; derived from ギロチンチョーク
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; derived from ギロチンチョーク
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese BJJ community; derived from ギロチンチョーク
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 From Front Headlock
SpeciesThe reverse guillotine from front headlock is applied by wrapping the arm around the opponent's neck from the front but with the choking forearm positioned on the opposite side compared to the standard guillotine — typically with the blade of the wrist pressing against the back or side of the neck rather than the throat. [1,2] From the front headlock, the attacker rotates the grip to attack the far-side carotid artery, creating a different angle of compression. [1] The technique can finish as a blood choke or a crank depending on the precise forearm placement and the direction of the squeeze. [1,2]
2 varieties·2 techniquesExplore
Reverse Guillotine From Sprawl Spin-Behind
SpeciesThe reverse guillotine from sprawl spin-behind is applied during a transition where the attacker sprawls to defend a takedown, then spins behind the opponent while maintaining a reverse-wrapped neck grip. [1,2] As the attacker moves from front to side or behind, the reverse guillotine grip naturally tightens as the angle changes, creating compression on the carotid from a different vector than the original front-facing position. [1] The spin-behind adds rotational torque to the strangle, making it a dynamic transition submission. [1,2]
1 varieties·1 techniquesExplore
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the connection between the reverse guillotine and triangle choke setups?
The reverse guillotine can function as a setup for a triangle choke by controlling your opponent's posture and leg positioning, allowing you to transition between the two techniques from the same entry point.
How important is controlling my opponent's posture when setting up the reverse guillotine?
Controlling your opponent's posture is fundamental to making the reverse guillotine work effectively, as it provides the foundation for both the initial technique and potential transitions like the triangle.
How does the Reverse Guillotine work?
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. This reverse orientation changes the angle of compression and can catch opponents who are defending the standard guillotine direction.
Where does the Reverse Guillotine come from?
The reverse guillotine developed as a variation within BJJ's front headlock system, emerging when practitioners found themselves at reverse angles during scrambles. Rather than abandoning the headlock, competitors learned to finish from the inverted position, creating a technique that has become a recognized part of the front headlock arsenal.
Is the Reverse Guillotine 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 Guillotine?
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 Guillotine?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Reverse Guillotine?
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 Guillotine?
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 Guillotine in competition?
Occasional finishes at ADCC and no-gi worlds, but far less common than the standard guillotine or D'Arce as a primary attack
What are common mistakes when doing the Reverse Guillotine?
Top errors to watch for: Confusing the reverse guillotine with a standard guillotine applied from the other side — the reverse specifically re… / Not understanding when to use reverse vs standard — the reverse is effective when the standard side is defended; it's… / Attempting the reverse wrap without head control — the cross-over reach takes longer than the standard; the head must… / Not having finishing options — the reverse guillotine benefits from multiple finish methods; train elbow pin, overhoo….
What are other names for the Reverse Guillotine?
The Reverse Guillotine is also known as Ribāsu Girochin, Inverted Guillotine, Reverse-Grip Front Choke, Reverse Guilhotina.