Blue belt · Defense · Core
Guillotine defense: in their guard and standing
How to escape a guillotine from inside their guard and standing: hand fight the wrist, don't pull back, and go to the side of the choking arm. Use it when you shoot with your head low or get caught posturing in guard.
Step by step
- Prevent it: when you shoot, keep your head up and to the side. In their guard, keep posture and don't drop your head in front of their chest.
- The moment the arm wraps your neck, chin down and two hands on their choking wrist. Pull it down to make room at your throat.
- Don't pull your head straight back. In their guard, drive your weight forward into them so they can't arch away from you.
- Walk to the side of the choking arm (where your head is), put your shoulder over theirs and settle in side control. Your head comes free as they flatten.
- Standing, keep both hands on the wrist. If they jump or pull guard, go down with them under control and finish the escape from guard.
- Tap if the arm is deep under your chin and they arch before your hands get inside.
Details that make it work
- Hands first, then move. Moving without the hand fight tightens it.
- Go toward the choking arm, not away from it.
Common mistakes
- Pulling straight back out of it.
- Panicking and lifting them, which gives them space to arch.
Drill it
Partner locks a loose guillotine from guard: 5 escapes each side. Then 5 standing, where they pull guard with it.
If it fails, or what comes next
- Front headlock & guillotine defense Escape · Headlocked
- Side control: pins & pressure Control · Side control
This defends against
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