Alias · Front Headlock
Guillotine choke
Also known as Guillotine (High-Elbow) — the canonical term used on this site.
Training background: Standard term
Full name — front-headlock guillotine strangle
Guillotine choke is the full name for the guillotine — the front-headlock-derived strangulation in which the attacker wraps the choking arm around the opponent’s neck while controlling the head from above.
Etymology. “Guillotine” — the historical execution device with a falling blade — references the downward closing motion of the choke. “Choke” attaches the submission category explicitly. The full name predominates in published material; “guillotine” alone is the common shortened form.
Mechanics. The choke requires bilateral compression — the forearm crossing one carotid and the chest connection closing the other side as the attacker pulls and arches.
Cross-reference. “Front headlock choke,” “mat return choke,” and “arm-out guillotine” are alternate names. Full mechanical coverage on Guillotine.