### Guillotine Defense in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Guillotine choke attempts are common in various positions in BJJ, especially from the standing, turtle, or guard configurations. Below are detailed steps to escape these chokes effectively. #### Position - **Standing** - **Turtle** - **Closed Guard** ### Steps for Defense #### **Standing Guillotine Defense** 1. **Posture**: As soon as your opponent wraps your neck, immediately lower your stance and straighten your back. This makes it harder for your opponent to control you. 2. **Grip Defense**: Use your outside hand to grip the opponent’s wrist that is choking you, relieving pressure off your neck. 3. **Head Position**: Tuck your chin and drive your head into your opponent's ribs. 4. **Position Change**: Step one foot back and circle your non-choked shoulder towards the opposite hip to give more space and lessen pressure. 5. **Hip Drive**: Push your hips forward and drive your opponent backward, utilizing the straightening of your posture to break their leverage. 6. **Escape and Control**: Once freed, gain top control by advancing to an advantageous position, like side control. #### **Turtle Position Guillotine Defense** 1. **Control the Opponent's Wrist**: Immediately attack the opponent's choking arm by controlling their wrist with your near-side arm. 2. **Head Position**: Lower your head to the ground to prevent upward pressure against your throat. 3. **Shoulder Pressure**: With your far hand, grab the opponent’s far shoulder, applying shoulder pressure. 4. **Roll**: Execute a forward roll, elevating your hips to create space. Roll over the choking shoulder while maintaining wrist control. 5. **Guard Recovery or Top Control**: After the roll, either recompose your guard or move to a favorable top position, controlling your opponent until their grip loosens. #### **Closed Guard Guillotine Defense** 1. **Posture Up**: While keeping a straight back, bring your choking arm's hand across your body, gripping your opponent's wrist. 2. **Post**: Using your free hand, post on your opponent’s hip or chest to prevent them from pulling you down further. 3. **Elbow Drive**: Slide your elbow over your opponent's shoulder on the side opposite of the wrist you're controlling. 4. **Pressure and Turn Angle**: Apply downward pressure while turning your body slightly to gain leverage. 5. **Head Push**: Use your free hand to push your opponent’s head backward. 6. **Pass Guard or Stay in Half Guard**: After releasing the choke, transition towards a guard pass or secure a dominant position. --- These principles ensure that you can minimize the risk of a choke and effectively neutralize the guillotine attempt. Practice regularly and focus on posture, grip defense, and body angle to allow smooth transitions into more dominant positions.