Figure-Four Headscissors

Variety

三角絞(Sankaku-jime)

Traditional

Translation: Triangle Strangle

Overview

The figure-four headscissors from guard uses a figure-four leg configuration — one leg bent behind the knee of the other — to lock the head squeeze from a bottom guard position. [1] The attacker traps the opponent's head between the thighs, then hooks one foot behind the opposite knee to form the figure-four, which structurally locks the squeeze and prevents the opponent from simply pulling the head free. [1],[2] The figure-four configuration recruits the powerful hip adductor muscles and adds the mechanical advantage of the interlocking leg structure, significantly increasing compression force. [2] This is the highest-control variant of the guard headscissors because the figure-four lock is extremely difficult to break once established. [2],[3]

Also known as
Figure-Four Scissor Choke[1]Figure-4 Head Scissors[2]
Used in
BJJJudoSubmission GrapplingMMASambo

History & Origin

Figure-four leg locks around the head have been used in wrestling traditions worldwide, from sumo to catch wrestling. [1] The guard application was formalised in BJJ and submission grappling as a positional control tool that can produce a strangle or serve as a platform for other attacks. [2],[3]

Effectiveness

The figure-four headscissors uses the legs in a figure-four configuration around the opponent's head to create compression pressure. [1]

Lineage

Head scissors appear in judo (do-jime family), catch wrestling, and pro wrestling as both control and submission techniques. [1]

Competition Record

Head scissors submissions occasionally appear in MMA and submission grappling. [1]

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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 guard (bottom position) — Use legs to control the opponent's head and arm, lock the leg configuration and apply compression
From mount (top) — Transition from mount by isolating an arm and threading legs around the head and arm
From side control (spinning) — Spin to face the opponent's legs, throw legs over the head to lock the choke

Variants

Standard grip variation — primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure
Gi variation — uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional friction and control
No-gi variation — adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling without the gi
Transition finish — applied during a positional change to catch the opponent off-guard

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

7
Very High7/10

Headscissors squeeze the head laterally using the thighs; risk of neck compression

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate
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 figure-four headscissors traps the opponent's head between the thighs in a figure-four leg lock configuration — the legs compress both sides of the neck to restrict blood flow to the brain (Gracie & Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)
✓The figure-four configuration: one thigh presses against each side of the neck — one leg hooks behind the knee of the other, creating the interlocking structure that prevents escape
✓Unlike the triangle choke (which includes the opponent's arm), the headscissors captures only the head — both carotid arteries are compressed directly by the thighs
✓The headscissors is one of the oldest submission techniques: it appears in Greek wrestling, catch wrestling, and judo (sankaku) — predating modern BJJ
✓From guard or north-south: position the opponent's head between the thighs, lock the figure-four, and squeeze — hip extension and adductor engagement create the compression
✓The headscissors is extremely powerful: the adductor muscles of the thighs are among the strongest muscles in the body — when they compress the neck, unconsciousness comes rapidly
✓The figure-four lock prevents the opponent from prying the legs apart: unlike a straight squeeze, the interlocked legs create a mechanical advantage that resists opening

Common Mistakes

!Squeezing with the knees instead of the thighs — the compression should come from the inner thighs (adductors) pressing against the carotid arteries, not the knees
!Not locking the figure-four properly — one leg's ankle must hook behind the other knee to create the lock; an unlocked squeeze is much weaker
!Trapping the chin inside the legs — the chin should be above the thigh; trapping the chin allows the opponent to turn and creates a neck-crank rather than a choke
!Placing the legs too low on the neck — the thighs should compress at the level of the carotid arteries (mid-neck); too low presses the shoulders, too high compresses the jaw
!Not extending the hips — hip extension drives the thighs together and increases compression; keeping the hips neutral reduces pressure
!Allowing space between thigh and neck — the thighs must contact the neck completely; gaps allow blood flow to continue
!Crossing the ankles instead of using a figure-four — crossed ankles are a weaker lock; the figure-four provides superior mechanical advantage

Related Techniques

Counter Techniques

Setup Chain

1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect

Sources & References

Primary Source

Kodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime

1BookKodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime

Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime

2SyllabusKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Official Kodokan ground technique classification system

3SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)

4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)

Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)

5CitationKodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime

Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime

Community

Athletics

Requires

grip or squeeze strength, positional control

Favours

strong upper body for sustained compression

Key muscles

forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Figure-Four Headscissors work?

The figure-four headscissors from guard uses a figure-four leg configuration — one leg bent behind the knee of the other — to lock the head squeeze from a bottom guard position. The attacker traps the opponent's head between the thighs, then hooks one foot behind the opposite knee to form the figure-four, which structurally locks the squeeze and prevents the opponent from simply pulling the head free.

Where does the Figure-Four Headscissors come from?

Figure-four leg locks around the head have been used in wrestling traditions worldwide, from sumo to catch wrestling. The guard application was formalised in BJJ and submission grappling as a positional control tool that can produce a strangle or serve as a platform for other attacks.

Is the Figure-Four Headscissors 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 Figure-Four Headscissors?

Danger rating 7/10. Headscissors squeeze the head laterally using the thighs; risk of neck compression

How do I set up the Figure-Four Headscissors?

The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.

How do I defend against the Figure-Four Headscissors?

Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.

What are the variants of the Figure-Four Headscissors?

Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fric…); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling wit…); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent …).

How effective is the Figure-Four Headscissors in competition?

Head scissors submissions occasionally appear in MMA and submission grappling.

What are common mistakes when doing the Figure-Four Headscissors?

Top errors to watch for: Squeezing with the knees instead of the thighs — the compression should come from the inner thighs (adductors) pressi… / Not locking the figure-four properly — one leg's ankle must hook behind the other knee to create the lock; an unlocke… / Trapping the chin inside the legs — the chin should be above the thigh; trapping the chin allows the opponent to turn… / Placing the legs too low on the neck — the thighs should compress at the level of the carotid arteries (mid-neck); to….

What are other names for the Figure-Four Headscissors?

The Figure-Four Headscissors is also known as Sankaku-jime, Figure-Four Scissor Choke, Figure-4 Head Scissors.

figure four headscissorssankaku jimesubmissionchoke and strangle lockleg chokeheadscissors strangleheadscissorsheadscissors from guardfigure four scissor chokefigure 4 head scissors