Introduction to Front Headlock Positions

The front headlock encompasses two primary control methods: positions with arm control and positions without. While front headlocks can lead to strangulation, they also facilitate positional advancement and alternative submissions, making them more ambiguous than dedicated guillotine attacks.

The High Elbow Guillotine Overview

The high elbow guillotine represents one of the most effective and competition-proven guillotine variations. Despite common misconceptions, flexibility plays minimal role in successful execution; rather, technical positioning and structural control determine effectiveness.

Critical Distance Management

The primary challenge in high elbow guillotine execution lies in controlling the distance between the opponent's shoulder and the attacker's chest. The support hand wrist must occupy the space between the opponent's shoulder and neck—positioned inside the clavicle—to prevent the opponent from closing distance and stopping the submission.

Head and Shoulder Positioning

The attacker must maintain forward head position and drive the strangle-side shoulder into the opponent's neck to preserve critical distance. If the head drifts backward and the opponent drives forward, the attacker will be flattened, eliminating the high elbow opportunity.

Elbow Retraction and Hand Connection

As hand contact occurs, the attacking elbow must move backward rather than remain extended, preventing the opponent from covering it with their own elbow. This retraction creates the necessary space to bring everything inside the opponent's clavicle before rotating into the high elbow position.

Head Movement and Elbow Height

The key to achieving sufficient elbow height lies in head positioning rather than flexibility. As the attacker rotates their shoulders perpendicular to their opponent, rotating the head across from one shoulder to the opposite shoulder creates the mechanical advantage needed for the high elbow position.

Leg Configuration and Lock Completion

Once hand position is secured, the first leg hooks tightly beneath the opponent while the second leg elevates and passes across the body, with the foot touching the attacker's own elbow. This configuration creates exceptional tightness when the opponent attempts internal rotation or escape.

Defense Resistance and Finishing Power

The high elbow position's biomechanical advantage makes conventional defenses—including elbow coverage and leg repositioning—extremely difficult to execute successfully. Even if the opponent escapes to a lateral position, the high elbow position remains functional for finishing the strangulation.

The High Elbow Guillotine by John Danaher

Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

Marcelotine High Elbow Guillotine

2 min read·8 key moments·PT12M29S video

Key Takeaways

•Introduction to Front Headlock Positions
•The High Elbow Guillotine Overview
•Critical Distance Management
•Head and Shoulder Positioning

The High Elbow Guillotine by John Danaher - Click Here To Check Out John Danaher's Instructional Videos - https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/all/fighter_john-danaher - - For all your BJJ Gear and Apparel Needs Visit - https://store.bjjfanatics.com/ - Are you a BJJ Fanatics Insider? If not, you are missing out! Join now at: https://bjjfanatics.com/products/insiders-club - "Bernardo Faria is a 5x World Champion. Bernardo started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Juiz de Fora - MG, Brazil at the age of 14 in 2001. After receiving the Black Belt from his first instructor Ricardo Marques in 2008, He moved to Sao Paulo to join BJJ legend Fabio Gurgel and his Alliance team. After many years of training and winning many major titles, Bernardo moved to NYC in 2013 to train and teach at Marcelo Garcia Academy. In 2015 Bernardo achieved his dream of winning the IBJJF World Championship Open class title and his division, doing the double Gold and becoming the 1st in the IBJJF Ranking and also choosed as the best athlete of 2015. Bernardo Faria has now taken on the mission to share some of the lessons, techniques, experiences and more that he has learned along in his 16 years and counting as a BJJ student, teacher and world class competitor. Subscribe to his channel, and join him in this amazing BJJ Journey. We promise that you will also improve your BJJ with his awesome Video Lessons, Episodes of his "5 Minutes BJJ Talk" and more..." http://bernardofaria.com https://www.facebook.com/bernardofariabjj/ https://www.instagram.com/bernardofariabjj/ https://twitter.com/bernardofariajj

Related Techniques

Guillotine Choke From Closed Guard Guillotine Choke From Front-Headlock Sprawl Guillotine Choke From Standing Snap-Down Guillotine Choke From Top Half-Guard

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about marcelotine high elbow guillotine?

This video covers introduction to front headlock positions, the high elbow guillotine overview, critical distance management. It provides detailed instruction from Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics.

How long does it take to learn marcelotine high elbow guillotine?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 8-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.