04 Crusafix shoulder lock and straight headscissor
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Standard Headscissors StrangleΒ·Gay Wrestling classes
This is a sneaky little submission off of the darce defense. The important details are maintaining control til you get β¦
Translation: Head Scissors (katakana loanword)
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
The standard headscissors strangle from guard is the fundamental leg-based head squeeze where the attacker traps the opponent's head between the thighs from a bottom guard position and squeezes. [1] The attacker captures the opponent's head as it dips forward during a guard pass attempt, closes the legs around the skull and neck, and contracts the adductor muscles to compress both sides of the neck simultaneously. [1],[2] The standard variant uses a straight leg squeeze without a figure-four lock, relying purely on adductor strength and thigh circumference to generate compression. [2] While simpler than the figure-four version, the standard headscissors can still produce unconsciousness through carotid compression when sufficient force is applied. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Country of originΒ· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- JapanBJJ, Judo, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
- RussiaSambo
Effectiveness
Effective when the legs can lock around the neck with proper angle; the squeeze compresses the carotid arteries bilaterally. Requires strong adductors and precise positioning [1]
Lineage
One of the oldest submission techniques in grappling history, depicted in ancient Greek pankration art. Present in catch wrestling, judo (do-jime family), sambo, and BJJ [1]
Competition Record
Rare standalone finish at elite BJJ and ADCC events but occasionally seen in MMA, catch wrestling, and sambo competition [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action β Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries β restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved β Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector β Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism β Vascular strangle β occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From guard (bottom position) β Use legs to control the opponent's head and arm, lock the leg configuration and apply compression
From mount (top) β Transition from mount by isolating an arm and threading legs around the head and arm
From side control (spinning) β Spin to face the opponent's legs, throw legs over the head to lock the choke
Variants
Standard grip variation β primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure
Gi variation β uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional friction and control
No-gi variation β adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling without the gi
Transition finish β applied during a positional change to catch the opponent off-guard
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
7
Very High7/10
Headscissors use the thighs to squeeze the head laterally; risk of neck strain
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
β FIAS Sport Sambo β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
β IBJJF β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDFβ shime-waza
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDFβ ADCC β Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDFβ Unified MMA β Legal β choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDFβ FIAS Combat Sambo β Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
βThe standard headscissors strangle traps the opponent's head between the thighs in the fundamental orientation β the attacker faces the opponent's head, squeezing both inner thighs against the carotid arteries (Gracie & Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)
βThe standard orientation: the attacker faces the same direction as the opponent's head, with one thigh pressing each side of the neck β the most natural and commonly drilled headscissors position
βThe figure-four lock secures the position: one leg hooks behind the knee of the other, creating an interlocking structure that prevents the opponent from prying the legs apart
βThe squeeze uses the adductor muscles: the inner thighs (among the strongest muscles in the body) compress bilaterally β this creates rapid unconsciousness when both carotids are occluded
βFrom guard: the standard headscissors is applied when the opponent's head is low and between the legs β common during guard passes, head-down postures, or scrambles
βThe standard headscissors is one of the oldest submissions: it appears in ancient Greek wrestling, catch wrestling, and judo (juji-jime family) β a truly universal technique
βFinishing: lock the figure-four, extend the hips, and squeeze the knees together β the combination of structural lock, hip extension, and adductor engagement creates maximum compression
Common Mistakes
!Squeezing with the knees rather than the thighs β the compression should come from the inner thigh surfaces (adductors), not the knees; knee squeezing is painful for the attacker
!Not locking the figure-four β the ankle-behind-knee lock is essential; without it, the squeeze is weaker and the opponent can pry the legs apart
!Placing the legs too low on the neck β the thighs should compress at carotid level (mid-neck); too low catches the shoulders, too high catches the jaw
!Not extending the hips β hip extension drives the thighs together with structural force; without it, the squeeze relies on muscular effort alone
!Allowing space between thigh and neck β the thighs must make full contact with both sides of the neck; gaps allow blood flow to continue
!Crossing the ankles instead of figure-four β crossed ankles provide a weaker lock and can be ankle-locked by the opponent
!Holding without squeezing β the position alone doesn't choke; active adductor engagement and hip extension are required for the finish
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Achieve Controlling Position β secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck β clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip β lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure β squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage
Official Japanese BJJ federation β competition rules and terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (ε€ζ₯θͺ) β used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage
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 do I keep my opponent from escaping the headscissors by sitting up?
Turn your toe down into the mat to create internal rotation of your hip, which keeps the shoulder pinned down and prevents them from sitting up. According to Gay Wrestling classes, simply placing your leg under the head without this internal rotation won't create enough pressure on the shoulder.
Why should I keep a bend in my legs during the headscissors finish?
A bent leg gives you lifting power to elevate the opponent's elbow while keeping your other leg down, whereas a straight leg provides no lifting capability. Gay Wrestling classes emphasizes this is a common mistake that reduces the effectiveness of the technique.
What's the importance of having my bottom leg on top in the final position?
Placing your bottom leg on top creates a wall that prevents your opponent from unhooking you and pushing you off, allowing you to straighten out and finish the choke. This positioning makes it much harder for them to escape the submission.
How should I position my opponent's head for maximum pressure?
Keep their head facing toward you to take advantage of the taper of your legs; if their head faces straight up, you risk a trachea crush, and if it faces away, they'll be near your calves but you lose optimal pressure angle.
How does the Standard Headscissors Strangle work?
The standard headscissors strangle from guard is the fundamental leg-based head squeeze where the attacker traps the opponent's head between the thighs from a bottom guard position and squeezes. The attacker captures the opponent's head as it dips forward during a guard pass attempt, closes the legs around the skull and neck, and contracts the adductor muscles to compress both sides of the neck simultaneously.
Where does the Standard Headscissors Strangle come from?
Head scissors are among the oldest grappling techniques, depicted in ancient Greek and Egyptian wrestling art. The guard application was incorporated into BJJ's ground fighting curriculum as both a positional control and a legitimate strangulation attempt.
Is the Standard Headscissors Strangle legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal β Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi β chokes are the safest submission catβ¦; IJF: legal β Legal (shime-waza) β strangulation techniques are one of three permitted submβ¦; ADCC: legal β Legal; Unified MMA: legal β Legal β choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned β All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal β Legal
How dangerous is the Standard Headscissors Strangle?
Danger rating 7/10. Headscissors use the thighs to squeeze the head laterally; risk of neck strain
How do I set up the Standard Headscissors Strangle?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position β Isolate the Neck β Set the Grip β Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Standard Headscissors Strangle?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin β protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight β use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into β rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up β straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Standard Headscissors Strangle?
Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fricβ¦); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling witβ¦); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent β¦).
How effective is the Standard Headscissors Strangle in competition?
Rare standalone finish at elite BJJ and ADCC events but occasionally seen in MMA, catch wrestling, and sambo competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Headscissors Strangle?
Top errors to watch for: Squeezing with the knees rather than the thighs β the compression should come from the inner thigh surfaces (adductorβ¦ / Not locking the figure-four β the ankle-behind-knee lock is essential; without it, the squeeze is weaker and the oppoβ¦ / Placing the legs too low on the neck β the thighs should compress at carotid level (mid-neck); too low catches the shβ¦ / Not extending the hips β hip extension drives the thighs together with structural force; without it, the squeeze reliβ¦.
What are other names for the Standard Headscissors Strangle?
The Standard Headscissors Strangle is also known as Heddo ShizΔzu, Classic Head Scissors Strangle, Standard Kubi-basami from Guard.