MUST SEE Head Scissor Choke
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Headscissors From Turtle·Brandon Quick
Levi Mowles 155 vs 207lbs Hits a sub we commonly use at BQJJ HQ
Headscissors From Turtle
Speciesヘッドシザーズ(Heddo Shizāzu)
TransliterationTranslation: Head Scissors (katakana loanword)
Overview
The headscissors from turtle is applied against an opponent in the turtle position by threading the legs around the opponent's head from the front or side, then squeezing the thighs together to compress the neck. [1],[2] The attacker typically approaches from the front or scrambles to a position where they can swing a leg over the opponent's head, then locks the scissors and rolls or sits back to complete the strangle. [1] The turtle position leaves the head exposed, making it vulnerable to leg-based attacks when the opponent is focused on protecting their back. [1],[2]
History & Origin
Applying headscissors to turtled opponents has precedent in freestyle and catch wrestling, where the turtle was a common defensive position that invited front headlock and head-trapping attacks. [1],[2] In BJJ and submission grappling, the turtle headscissors developed as a creative option alongside more conventional attacks like the clock choke, guillotine, and back-take sequences. [1] The technique provides a direct submission path when the opponent maintains a tight defensive shell. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Moderate effectiveness as a turtle attack — less common than back takes or front headlock transitions but can catch opponents who are focused on defending conventional attacks [1]
Lineage
Rooted in catch wrestling's extensive turtle attack system; adapted to modern grappling by catch-influenced competitors [1]
Competition Record
Occasionally seen in submission-only events; rare at ADCC or IBJJF competition [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 back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
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
— 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 headscissors from turtle attacks the turtled opponent by threading the legs around the neck from beside the turtle — using the turtle's vulnerability at the head to establish a leg-based strangle (Danaher, Pin Escapes and Turtle Turns: BJJ Fundamentals, 2019)
✓Against the turtle: the head is the most accessible target — while the arms and back are protected by the rounded posture, the head extends beyond the turtle's shell
✓The headscissors from turtle is applied from the side: reach over and under the head with the legs, capture the neck between the thighs, and collapse the turtle to finish
✓The technique serves as a turtle-attacking alternative: when back takes, hook insertions, and clock chokes are defended, the headscissors provides a leg-based submission option
✓The headscissors from turtle often requires a collapse: the turtled opponent's rounded posture may protect the carotid arteries until the turtle is broken down to a flatter position
✓The headscissors from turtle combines positional advancement with submission: collapsing the turtle improves the attacker's position while simultaneously threatening the choke
✓The technique is fundamentally a catch wrestling approach: attacking the turtle with leg-based neck compression is a traditional catch wrestling method
Common Mistakes
!Attempting from directly behind — the side approach provides better leg access to the neck; from behind, the turtle protects the head
!Not collapsing the turtle before or during the headscissors — the rounded turtle may protect the arteries; flatten the opponent to expose the neck
!Threading too slowly — the turtled opponent can adjust and protect the head; thread quickly and decisively
!Not locking the figure-four — the figure-four is essential for structural compression; without it, the opponent can push the legs apart
!Attempting against a very tight turtle without a setup — use hand attacks (collar grips, snap-downs) to loosen the turtle before committing the legs
!Losing upper body contact — maintain chest or hip pressure on the turtle while the legs work; separation allows the opponent to re-turtle or stand
!Not having back-take transitions — if the headscissors doesn't work, the leg positioning may facilitate hook insertion for a back take
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 grappling/BJJ standard terminology; JBJJF competition usage
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
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the proper foot placement when entering a headscissors from turtle position?
You want to position your legs ear to ear, establishing control on both sides of your opponent's head before tightening the scissor.
Should I move my hips while setting up the headscissors choke?
Yes, Brandon Quick recommends using a 'water fly' motion with your hips as you enter the position to generate momentum and maintain control.
How does the Headscissors From Turtle work?
The headscissors from turtle is applied against an opponent in the turtle position by threading the legs around the opponent's head from the front or side, then squeezing the thighs together to compress the neck. The attacker typically approaches from the front or scrambles to a position where they can swing a leg over the opponent's head, then locks the scissors and rolls or sits back to complete the strangle.
Where does the Headscissors From Turtle come from?
Applying headscissors to turtled opponents has precedent in freestyle and catch wrestling, where the turtle was a common defensive position that invited front headlock and head-trapping attacks. In BJJ and submission grappling, the turtle headscissors developed as a creative option alongside more conventional attacks like the clock choke, guillotine, and back-take sequences.
Is the Headscissors From Turtle 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 Headscissors From Turtle?
Danger rating 7/10. Headscissors use the thighs to squeeze the head laterally; risk of neck strain
How do I set up the Headscissors From Turtle?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Headscissors From Turtle?
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 Headscissors From Turtle?
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 Headscissors From Turtle in competition?
Occasionally seen in submission-only events; rare at ADCC or IBJJF competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Headscissors From Turtle?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting from directly behind — the side approach provides better leg access to the neck; from behind, the turtle p… / Not collapsing the turtle before or during the headscissors — the rounded turtle may protect the arteries; flatten th… / Threading too slowly — the turtled opponent can adjust and protect the head; thread quickly and decisively / Not locking the figure-four — the figure-four is essential for structural compression; without it, the opponent can p….
What are other names for the Headscissors From Turtle?
The Headscissors From Turtle is also known as Heddo Shizāzu, Turtle Head Scissors, Kubi-basami from Turtle.