High Elbow Guillotine
Submission
The High Elbow Guillotine is a front choke variation where the choking arm's elbow is raised above the opponent's back, creating a sharp angle that applies pressure to the carotid arteries rather than the trachea. It is most effective from front headlock, clinch, or guard positions and finishes rapidly due to its blood choke mechanics.
Quick Reference
Key principles
- · The choking wrist must sit deep across the throat with the blade of the forearm against one side of the neck.
- · Elevating the elbow above the opponent's shoulder line creates the angular pressure that converts this from an air choke to a blood choke.
- · The free hand clasps over the choking hand in a palm-to-palm or Gable grip, pulling inward and upward to tighten the strangle.
- · Arching the back and driving the hips forward closes remaining space and prevents the opponent from posturing out.
- · If the opponent attempts to roll or pull guard to escape, follow them and maintain the high elbow angle by curling your chest toward your hands.
Execution
- 1 From front headlock or clinch, shoot your choking arm deep under the chin so your wrist crosses the centerline of the throat with your thumb pointing toward your own chest.
- 2 Raise your choking elbow high above the opponent's back, pointing it toward the ceiling, so your forearm angles sharply across the neck.
- 3 Clasp your free hand over the choking hand using a palm-to-palm grip, keeping both hands tight against your own chest.
- 4 Squeeze your elbows together, curl your wrists inward, and simultaneously extend your hips forward while slightly arching back to maximize constriction.
- 5 If on the ground, close your guard to control their posture and prevent stacking, then finish by pulling your hands toward your chest and bridging your hips.
Common mistakes
- × Keeping the choking elbow low and flat across the opponent's back, which turns the submission into a weaker air choke that is easier to defend.
- × Gripping too far from the body with extended arms instead of keeping hands tight to the chest, allowing the opponent to create space and posture up to escape.
- × Failing to get the wrist deep enough past the chin before closing the grip, resulting in a jaw crush rather than a clean choke.
Do it from
Positions and situations where the High Elbow Guillotine shows up.
