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Ground
Guillotine Choke
A front headlock choke often applied when defending a takedown or from guard.
Key Points
- •Timing off a sprawled takedown attempt is a common entry
- •Keep the choking arm tight with no space at the neck
- •Control the hips or posture to prevent them from stacking out
Instructions
- 1Wrap one arm under the opponent's chin as their head comes down (e.g. during a takedown attempt).
- 2Clasp your hands together, gripping your own wrist or palm for the choke.
- 3Pull your elbow in tight and lift your forearm into their throat.
- 4If in guard, close your legs around their body to control their posture.
- 5Squeeze and pull upward with your arms while arching your hips to finish.
More Ground Techniques
Closed Guard
A fundamental bottom position where your legs are wrapped and locked around the opponent's waist.
Mount
A dominant top position sitting on an opponent's torso with both knees on the mat.
Side Control
A dominant pinning position perpendicular to the opponent, controlling their torso from the side.
Back Control
The most dominant position in grappling, controlling an opponent from behind with hooks in.
Armbar
A joint-lock submission hyperextending the elbow, applicable from guard, mount, or side control.
Rear-Naked Choke
A blood choke applied from back control, one of the most reliable submissions in grappling and MMA.