Chin Strap Guillotine

Submission

The Chin Strap Guillotine is a guillotine variation where the choking hand grips across the opponent's chin and jaw rather than directly under the throat, creating a crank-and-choke hybrid that finishes even when the chin is tucked. It is available from front headlock, clinch, and standing positions, and is especially effective against opponents who defensively bury their chin.

Quick Reference

Key principles

· The choking wrist crosses over the chin and jawline, using the jaw as a fulcrum to transmit pressure into the neck.
· A tight chin strap grip eliminates the common defense of tucking the chin since pressure transfers through the jaw itself.
· Closing the elbow tight to your own chest maximizes compression and prevents the opponent from creating space.
· Arching the hips forward and pulling the head down creates opposing forces that amplify the finish.
· Anticipate the opponent attempting to posture out by securing a body lock or butterfly guard hooks to maintain control distance.

Execution

1 From front headlock or clinch, thread your choking arm so your wrist blade sits across the opponent's chin and jawline, palm facing your own chest.
2 Clasp your hands together using a palm-to-palm or Gable grip, ensuring the choking forearm is snug against the side of the neck and chin.
3 Pull the opponent's head tight to your chest while squeezing your elbows together to eliminate all space.
4 Drive your hips forward into the opponent while curling their head downward, creating opposing pressure that compresses the jaw into the neck structures.
5 If on the ground, close your guard or use butterfly hooks to prevent them from pulling away, then extend your hips to finish.

Common mistakes

× Placing the wrist too deep under the throat instead of across the chin, turning it into a standard guillotine and losing the chin strap's jaw-leverage advantage.
× Flaring the elbows wide during the squeeze, which releases compression and allows the opponent to pop their head free.
× Failing to control the opponent's body with guard or hooks, letting them stack or posture out before the submission tightens.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Chin Strap Guillotine shows up.

Front Headlock Guillotine Control

2 less common

Clinch Standing Position