How to Do the Arm-In Guillotine in BJJ
The arm-in guillotine traps one of their arms inside the choke alongside their neck. This makes escape more difficult and changes the choking angle.
✓ Key Details to Master
- 1 Wrap around their neck AND one arm
- 2 Both their head and arm inside your grip
- 3 Use high elbow position for extra tightness
- 4 Close guard to control distance
- 5 Hip forward and squeeze
✗ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️ Arm not trapped properly
- ⚠️ Grip too loose
- ⚠️ Not closing guard
- ⚠️ Just squeezing without hip movement
- ⚠️ Head position wrong
🔄 Variations
- → High elbow guillotine
- → Marcelotine
- → From closed guard
🛡️ Counters & Defenses
- → Don't let arm get trapped
- → Pass to side control
- → Von Flue choke
Track Your Arm-In Guillotine Progress
Log every time you practice the Arm-In Guillotine and watch your proficiency grow. MatTime helps you build muscle memory by tracking what you actually drill.
Related Techniques
More Submissions
View all →Rear Naked Choke
The rear naked choke (RNC) is one of the most high-percentage submissions in BJJ and MMA. Applied fr...
Triangle Choke
The triangle choke is a signature BJJ submission where you use your legs to form a triangle around y...
Guillotine Choke
The guillotine is a front headlock choke that can be applied standing or on the ground. It's particu...
Bow and Arrow Choke
The bow and arrow choke is one of the tightest collar chokes in BJJ. From back control, you use the ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What belt level should I be to learn the Arm-In Guillotine? ▼
The Arm-In Guillotine is typically introduced at the white belt level. However, higher belts continue to refine this technique throughout their BJJ journey. The beginning of the BJJ journey. Focus on survival, basic positions, and fundamental movements.
Does this work in both gi and no-gi? ▼
The Arm-In Guillotine works in both gi and no-gi, though grip adjustments may be necessary. In no-gi, focus on body control and underhooks instead of gi grips.
How do I set up the Arm-In Guillotine? ▼
The Arm-In Guillotine is typically executed from front headlock. Key setups include controlling your opponent's posture and creating the right angle. Practice the entry repeatedly before focusing on the finish.