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Black belt · Guard · Key

Counter-wrestling from seated guard: front headlock and guillotine

Counters from seated guard when they wrestle up or shoot in: snap down to the front headlock, then guillotine or go-behind. Use it when they drive into you with their head low.

Seated guard Front headlock

Step by step

  1. Sit on one hip with one hand posted behind you and the other hand at their head or wrist. Keep your head higher than theirs.
  2. When they wrestle up or shoot into your legs with their head low, catch the back of their head with your free hand and snap it down as you come up to your knees.
  3. Sprawl your hips back so your weight is on their head and shoulders. Lock a chin strap with one arm and control their near triceps with the other.
  4. If their head stays low and they keep driving, wrap the guillotine: blade of your wrist under the chin, grip, high elbow.
  5. If they lift their head and defend the neck, spin behind for the go-behind or switch to the D'Arce.
  6. Finish slowly. For the guillotine, pull the blade up into their throat and drive your elbow high. Release on the tap.

Details that make it work

  • Your head must stay above theirs. If you lean back, they drive through and pin you.
  • Sprawl first, then attack the neck. Grabbing the neck while your hips are close lets them finish the takedown.

Common mistakes

  • Falling to your back to finish the guillotine with no guard or angle.
  • Reaching for the neck while they have already wrapped your legs.

Drill it

Partner wrestles up from seated at 50 percent. 3 rounds of 2 minutes: snap, sprawl, front headlock, then guillotine or go-behind.

If it fails, or what comes next

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