Overview
The arm-in guillotine is a classic variation of the guillotine where one of the opponent’s arms is trapped inside the strangle configuration. By including the arm, the attacker creates a different choking mechanic that relies more on shoulder pressure and compression of the neck rather than a pure windpipe strangle. This makes the arm-in guillotine especially effective against strong wrestlers and athletes with good posture who are difficult to finish with standard guillotines.
The hands can be locked in multiple ways, including a gable grip, 10-finger grip, or ball-and-socket grip, each offering different levels of leverage and finishing pressure.
Historically, the arm-in guillotine gained prominence through the success of Renzo Gracie, who used it extensively in his competitive prime. Renzo’s application emphasized tight chest pressure, angle control, and incremental squeezing rather than explosive finishes. His use of the technique demonstrated how the arm-in guillotine could function as both a high-percentage submission and a dominant positional control tool in MMA and submission grappling.
Common Applications
- From sprawls: As the opponent shoots with an arm already committed, wrap the neck while keeping the arm trapped, then apply chest pressure and finish from standing or by falling to guard.
Related Techniques
Anaconda, Darce, Front headlock, Guillotine, High-wrist guillotine