Solving the arm in guillotine

Escaping the arm-in guillotine from closed guard involves a series of strategic movements to prevent the opponent from completing the submission. Begin by wrapping your arm around the opponent's back and placing your arm on the floor to create a base. Shoot your leg back to make your hip heavy against the opponent's hip, and use your shoulder to apply pressure to their chest. Keep your head positioned to prevent the opponent's elbow from dropping.

1. Place your fingers on the opponent's elbow and your elbow inside their hip. This prevents them from pulling their elbow to the midline of their body and tightens the guillotine.
2. Keep your chest heavy on the opponent's hands and sprawl on their hip to locate their thumb. If you only find the wrist, it's not yet time to escape.
3. Continue to apply pressure and avoid being swept backward. Keep your gaze down to prevent being toppled over.
4. Once you find the thumb, peel it away to escape, ensuring your chin stays in line with the opponent's body to avoid being re-guillotined.
5. After escaping, remain vigilant as you are still within the opponent's guard and susceptible to other submissions.
6. Throughout the escape, maintain a flat back and avoid arching, which can tighten the guillotine or allow the opponent to switch grips.
7. Once you have escaped, immediately position yourself to prevent being caught in another submission.

Remember to keep your weight distributed correctly, use framing to control the opponent's elbow, and secure your escape by finding the thumb and peeling it away. After escaping, reposition to avoid being submitted again.