ハンドクラスプ・ギロチン(Hando Kuraspu Girochin)
TransliterationTranslation: Hand-clasp guillotine — a guillotine choke using a palm-to-palm grip (clasped hands) rather than the traditional interlocked fingers or gable grip, providing a different leverage angle for the choking mechanism
The Hand-Clasp Guillotine is a guillotine choke variant that uses a palm-to-palm grip (both palms pressed together around the opponent's neck, like praying hands) rather than the traditional interlocked fingers, gable grip, or figure-four grip used in standard guillotine variations. [1] The palm-to-palm grip offers specific advantages: it can be established faster than more complex grip configurations (critical during scrambles and takedown defence), it provides a natural squeezing angle that compresses the throat directly rather than through the forearm blade, and it is more secure than interlocked fingers (which can be stripped by grip-fighting). [1] BJ Penn documented the Hand-Clasp Guillotine in The Book of Knowledge (2007) as a quick-application guillotine specifically designed for MMA's scramble-heavy environment, where the traditional guillotine setup (which requires precise forearm positioning and a specific grip sequence) may not be achievable before the opponent escapes or changes position. [1] The technique is most commonly applied when the opponent shoots for a takedown: as the attacker lowers their head for the double-leg or single-leg, the defender wraps one arm around the opponent's neck, clasps both palms together under the chin, and squeezes — the entire setup takes approximately 0.5-1.0 seconds, compared to 1.5-2.0 seconds for a traditional guillotine with figure-four grip. [1] The Hand-Clasp Guillotine can be finished from standing (dropping to guard as the opponent shoots), from guard (closed guard or half guard after pulling the opponent down), or from the sprawl position (maintaining the grip while sprawling on the takedown attempt). [1] The grip is sometimes called the 'emergency guillotine' because it is used when the standard guillotine cannot be established in time — the palm-to-palm clasp provides ENOUGH choking pressure to threaten a tap while the standard grip would take too long to set up. [1]
The Hand-Clasp Guillotine evolved in MMA as a quick-application variant of the traditional guillotine choke, developed to address the speed demands of defending takedowns in professional MMA. [1] In early MMA (UFC 1-10, PRIDE), the guillotine choke was one of the first techniques demonstrated to be effective across styles — Royce Gracie used the guillotine in multiple early UFC fights, and it quickly became one of the most commonly attempted submissions. [2] As takedown shooters became faster and more proficient, the traditional guillotine's setup time (1.5-2.0 seconds) became insufficient — the Hand-Clasp variant developed as a faster-application option that could be established during the brief window when the shooter's head is accessible. [1] BJ Penn documented the technique in 2007 as one of several guillotine variants optimised for MMA's pace. [1] The technique has been used for numerous UFC finishes where the defender caught the choke during the takedown attempt. [2]
The Hand-Clasp Guillotine is effective as a SPEED submission — its value lies in the fast application time (0.5-1.0 seconds) rather than in mechanical superiority over other guillotine grips. [1] Against takedown shooters, the technique is highly effective because the shooter's focus is on the takedown mechanics, not on defending a choke, and the brief window when the head is accessible is sufficient for the palm-to-palm clasp but NOT sufficient for a traditional figure-four grip. [1] In UFC competition, guillotine finishes during takedown defence account for a significant percentage of all guillotine victories — many of these use the hand-clasp or similar quick-grip variants. [2] The technique's limitation is that the palm-to-palm grip provides approximately 60-70% of the compression of a figure-four grip, meaning the opponent has a larger survival window. [1]
The guillotine choke (including the hand-clasp variant) is one of the top 5 most common submissions in UFC history. Notable guillotine finishes during takedown defence include Charles Oliveira's multiple guillotine victories, BJ Penn's guillotine finishes, and Demian Maia's standing guillotine wins. The hand-clasp grip is commonly used as the initial catch before converting to a stronger grip for the finish.
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
In this video, I go over the Guillotine Choke. This technique can be used offensively against an attacker whose sole exi…
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
The Hand-Clasp Guillotine can produce a blood choke (carotid compression) and/or a windpipe choke (tracheal compression) depending on the exact arm positioning. Unconsciousness from the blood choke component occurs in 5-10 seconds. The tracheal compression component causes immediate choking, gagging, and panic. The fast application speed means opponents may not recognise the threat until the choke is already partially locked. [1]
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Mixed Martial Arts: The Book of Knowledge (Penn, Cordoza & Krauss, 2007)
description: [1] Penn 2007 guillotine section
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
description: [1] Penn 2007 guillotine section
Quick hands for the rapid wrap-and-clasp (must be established in under 1 second)
Grip strength for the palm-to-palm compression
Core and hip strength for pulling guard and maintaining the choke
Arm strength for the elbow squeeze
Timing and defensive awareness to recognise takedown shots and counter with the guillotine
The hand-clasp (ten-finger) guillotine uses both hands clasped together around the neck — no arm included. Creates a tighter squeeze on the trachea. The simplest guillotine variation but can cause more tracheal pressure than the arm-in version. (BJJ instructionals; MMA competition records)
Wrap your opponent's neck and make sure your thumb goes across your stomach, then use your free hand to trap your own wrist to secure the grip. According to Danny Fung, once locked in, step in and establish a comfortable base.
Danny Fung warns against trying to raise up without tension or stretching all the way up on your toes, as this wastes energy and reduces leverage. Instead, squat down and use your hips forward with shoulders backward to create proper leverage.
Squat down and drive your hips forward while pulling your shoulders backward—this body mechanics approach creates significantly more leverage than simply raising up, according to Danny Fung.
Step with one foot and place it on top of your opponent's foot to control their base, then lie down to complete the technique, as demonstrated by Danny Fung.
The Hand-Clasp Guillotine is a guillotine choke variant that uses a palm-to-palm grip (both palms pressed together around the opponent's neck, like praying hands) rather than the traditional interlocked fingers, gable grip, or figure-four grip used in standard guillotine variations. The palm-to-palm grip offers specific advantages: it can be established faster than more complex grip configurations (critical during scrambles and takedown defence), it provides a natural squeezing angle that compresses the throat directly rather than through the forearm blade, and it is more secure than interlocked fingers (which can be stripped by grip-fighting).
The Hand-Clasp Guillotine evolved in MMA as a quick-application variant of the traditional guillotine choke, developed to address the speed demands of defending takedowns in professional MMA. In early MMA (UFC 1-10, PRIDE), the guillotine choke was one of the first techniques demonstrated to be effective across styles — Royce Gracie used the guillotine in multiple early UFC fights, and it quickly became one of the most commonly attempted submissions.
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
Danger rating 7/10. The Hand-Clasp Guillotine can produce a blood choke (carotid compression) and/or a windpipe choke (tracheal compression) depending on the exact arm positioning. Unconsciousness from the blood choke component occurs in 5-10 seconds. The tracheal compression component causes immediate choking, gagging, and panic. The fast application speed means opponents may not recognise the threat until the choke is already partially locked.
The standard setup chain: Opponent shoots for a takedown (double-leg or single-leg) → Opponent's head lowers toward the defender's midsection → Defender wraps one arm around the opponent's neck (forearm across the throat, arm over the neck) → Second hand reaches up from below and clasps palm-to-palm with the choking hand → IMMEDIATELY pull guard (fall backward into closed guard) → The opponent's weight falls forward into the choke → Squeeze the elbows together to tighten the compression → Opponent taps from throat/carotid compression → If the opponent doesn't tap within 5-10 seconds → convert to a stronger grip (figure-four, gable grip) for greater compression → If the opponent escapes the guillotine → maintain front headlock control for further attacks.
Standard counters include: Tuck the chin — tucking the chin prevents the choking arm from getting under the jaw onto the throat / Pull the head free — if the clasp is not yet tight, driving backward and pulling the head out defeats the choke / Von Flue choke — if the defender pulls guard while holding a loose guillotine, the top player can pin the choking arm… / Pass to side control — passing the guard while the guillotine is held defeats the choke because side-control pressure….
Common variants: Standard Hand-Clasp Guillotine (palm-to-palm grip from the front headlock, finished in guard); Standing Hand-Clasp (maintaining the grip while standing (not pulling guard), …); Sprawling Hand-Clasp (maintaining the grip while sprawling on a takedown, using…); Hand-Clasp to traditional grip (if time allows, converting the quick palm-to-palm grip to…); Hand-Clasp to front headlock (if the choke fails, maintaining the grip position for fro…); Half guard Hand-Clasp (finishing the guillotine from half guard with the palm-to…).
The guillotine choke (including the hand-clasp variant) is one of the top 5 most common submissions in UFC history. Notable guillotine finishes during takedown defence include Charles Oliveira's multiple guillotine victories, BJ Penn's guillotine finishes, and Demian Maia's standing guillotine wins.
Top errors to watch for: Grip too loose — the palm-to-palm clasp must be TIGHT; a loose clasp allows the opponent to pull their head free / Not pulling guard — maintaining the standing position with the Hand-Clasp allows the opponent to fight the grip with … / Wrapping too high on the neck — the choking arm must be UNDER the chin (across the throat), not behind the head (acro… / Forgetting to squeeze the elbows — the choke tightens by pulling the elbows together (adduction); just clasping the h….
The Hand-Clasp Guillotine is also known as Hando Kuraspu Girochin, Grip Guillotine, Palm-to-Palm Guillotine, Clasped Guillotine, Quick Guillotine.
