Understanding the Von Flue Choke Setup
The Von Flue choke typically emerges when an opponent attempts a guillotine choke but fails to disengage as the defender passes to side control. Rather than releasing the grip, the attacker maintains their hold on the head, creating an opportunity for the Von Flue counter. Understanding this positioning is critical for both offensive and defensive applications.
Recognizing When to Release the Guillotine
Newer practitioners often make the critical error of maintaining a guillotine grip after their opponent has passed to the opposite side. Once the opponent's head and body align on the same side, the guillotine angle is lost. Proper recognition of this positioning allows practitioners to either transition to an alternative technique or defend against the Von Flue counter.
The Grip Foundation
The Von Flue choke begins with a breaststroke-like swimming motion to trap the opponent's arm against their own neck. The grip is established with one arm encircling the neck while the other secures it from underneath. Critical to this technique is maintaining a palm-down position on the controlling arm, which tightens the brachial radialis and creates a mechanically superior position.
Body Weight Over Arm Strength
The primary innovation in finishing the Von Flue choke is prioritizing body weight over arm strength. Rather than relying on continuous squeezing, the practitioner positions their body to allow gravity and pressure distribution to do the primary work. This approach reduces muscular fatigue and increases finishing reliability, particularly important since the Von Flue choke requires sustained pressure over several seconds.
Optimal Body Positioning
The finishing position requires the practitioner to shift their weight onto their toes while heavily loading the finishing shoulder. The shoulder point should rest directly on the opponent's neck, with the practitioner pulling their elbow backward slightly—similar to executing a shoulder of justice. This creates a mechanical advantage where body weight does the primary work rather than arm muscles.
Pressure Application and Patience
The Von Flue choke differs fundamentally from techniques like the rear naked choke in that it requires sustained pressure over several seconds before the opponent taps. Rather than expecting an immediate submission, practitioners should maintain steady, weight-based pressure and allow time for the technique to take effect. This extended timeline makes body weight superiority essential, as arm-based squeezing will fatigue quickly.
Master the Von Flue Choke by Using Less Muscle
Key Takeaways
- •Understanding the Von Flue Choke Setup
- •Recognizing When to Release the Guillotine
- •The Grip Foundation
- •Body Weight Over Arm Strength
Today I'm answering a question from Eric, a viewer, who is getting to the Von Flue Choke in BJJ but is struggling to finish the submission. He says he has the position, he's squeezing really tight, but for whatever reason he cannot finish it, hence why he sends me the message. The Von Flue Choke is a sneaky counter to the Guillotine and Is a great technique to learn if you train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or even MMA. The problem Eric is having with this technique is pretty normal though, so I'll attempt to show you a different way to finish the submission without using so much muscle. Instead, we will focus on utilizing body weight and positioning to get a proper finish. Hopefully you found this video helpful, especially if you were having a similar problem finishing the choke. - Chewy ----------------- Free Ebook: https://www.chewjitsutraining.com/focused Want to ask Chewy a question: https://www.chewjitsutraining.com/question Video Courses and Products: http://www.chewjitsu.net/products T shirts: http://www.chewjitsu.net/shop/ http://www.Facebook.com/Chewjitsu http://www.instagram.com/Chewjitsu http://www.twitter.com/Chewjitsu Intro/Outtro Music : https://bknapp.bandcamp.com If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does this video teach about von flue counter?
This video covers understanding the von flue choke setup, recognizing when to release the guillotine, the grip foundation. It provides detailed instruction from Chewjitsu.
How long does it take to learn von flue counter?
The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 6-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.
What are the key details for finishing von flue counter?
The finishing position requires the practitioner to shift their weight onto their toes while heavily loading the finishing shoulder. The shoulder point should rest directly on the opponent's neck, with the practitioner pulling their elbow backward slightly—similar to executing a shoulder of justice. This creates a mechanical advantage where body weight does the primary work rather than arm muscles.
