Side Headscissors

Variety

ヘッドシザーズ(Heddo Shizāzu)

Transliteration

Translation: Head Scissors (katakana loanword)

Overview

The side headscissors applies the leg-based head squeeze from side control, where the attacker is positioned perpendicular to the supine opponent. ^[1] The attacker captures the opponent's head between the thighs while maintaining a side control orientation, then squeezes the legs together to compress the carotid arteries from a lateral angle. ^[1],[2] The side position allows the attacker to use hip rotation to amplify the squeeze — rotating the hips generates a twisting compression that is difficult to defend. ^[2] This variant is commonly used as a transitional attack during guard passes or when the attacker is moving between side control and mount. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Side Scissor Choke^[1]Lateral Kubi-basami^[2]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

Side-mounted headscissors positions appear in catch wrestling and judo ground work, where attacking the head from side control was a standard offensive strategy. ^[1] The technique was adapted into BJJ competition as an alternative to arm-based submissions from side control. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The side angle provides good compression but is harder to maintain than standard guard headscissors; opponents can often roll to escape ^[1]

Lineage

A variation present in catch wrestling and sambo, where side-body attacks are more emphasized than in traditional BJJ ^[1]

Competition Record

Rare at elite competition; occasionally seen in sambo and catch wrestling events ^[1]

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Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds

Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region

Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously

Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes

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

Very High7/10

Headscissors use the thighs to squeeze the head laterally; risk of neck strain

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 side headscissors captures the opponent's head between the thighs from a lateral (side control) position — the attacker's legs wrap the neck from the side rather than from guard or north-south (Gracie & Gracie, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique, 2001)

✓From side control: thread one leg over the opponent's head and the other under, capturing the head between the thighs in a lateral orientation

✓The side headscissors creates a unique compression angle: the thighs press the neck from the side, which can find the carotid arteries at an angle not reached from guard or north-south positions

✓The side orientation allows the attacker to maintain partial top control: one hip stays on the mat while the legs encircle the neck — stability and submission coexist

✓Entry from side control: step the far leg over the head while the near leg slides under — lock the figure-four around the neck

✓The side headscissors transitions naturally from side control submissions: during kimura, americana, or arm control attempts, the leg positioning for headscissors may become available

✓The lateral headscissors is common in catch wrestling: the side-body position is a traditional catch wrestling control that naturally leads to neck compression with the legs

Common Mistakes

!Not getting the leg fully over the head — the far leg must clear the head completely to position the thigh on the neck; partial placement catches the jaw

!Losing side control during the leg transition — maintain upper body control while the legs move; releasing side control to position the legs allows escape

!Not locking the figure-four — the lateral angle requires the lock for structural compression; unlocked legs are easily separated

!Squeezing from the wrong angle — adjust the hip position until the inner thighs contact the carotid arteries; the side angle may require angular fine-tuning

!Attempting from too far away — the legs must reach the neck from side control; if the upper body is too far from the head, the legs can't make the connection

!Not transitioning when the headscissors is defended — the side control position supports armbars, kimuras, and transitions; move on if the headscissors stalls

!Using the headscissors as a stalling tool — it is a submission; actively squeeze and finish rather than holding the position for control

Related Techniques

Triangle Choke — shares the leg-based head-and-arm trapping mechanic Head-and-Arm Choke — similar bilateral neck compression from a different angle Gogoplata — another leg-based choke attacking the throat Guard Chokes — broader family of chokes applied using leg control

Counter Techniques

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

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

Japanese grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage

1CompetitionJBJJF (Japan Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation)

Official Japanese BJJ federation — competition rules and terminology

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 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 does the Side Headscissors work?

The side headscissors applies the leg-based head squeeze from side control, where the attacker is positioned perpendicular to the supine opponent. The attacker captures the opponent's head between the thighs while maintaining a side control orientation, then squeezes the legs together to compress the carotid arteries from a lateral angle.

Where does the Side Headscissors come from?

Side-mounted headscissors positions appear in catch wrestling and judo ground work, where attacking the head from side control was a standard offensive strategy. The technique was adapted into BJJ competition as an alternative to arm-based submissions from side control.

Is the Side 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 Side Headscissors?

Danger rating 7/10. Headscissors use the thighs to squeeze the head laterally; risk of neck strain

How do I set up the Side Headscissors?

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

How do I defend against the Side 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 Side 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 Side Headscissors in competition?

Rare at elite competition; occasionally seen in sambo and catch wrestling events

What are common mistakes when doing the Side Headscissors?

Top errors to watch for: Not getting the leg fully over the head — the far leg must clear the head completely to position the thigh on the nec… / Losing side control during the leg transition — maintain upper body control while the legs move; releasing side contr… / Not locking the figure-four — the lateral angle requires the lock for structural compression; unlocked legs are easil… / Squeezing from the wrong angle — adjust the hip position until the inner thighs contact the carotid arteries; the sid….

What are other names for the Side Headscissors?

The Side Headscissors is also known as Heddo Shizāzu, Side Scissor Choke, Lateral Kubi-basami.

heddo shiz zu submission choke and strangle lock leg choke headscissors strangle headscissors headscissors from side control side headscissors side scissor choke lateral kubi basami