Issue 055

Renzo Gracie is viewed as one of the greatest BJJ artists ever, and an inspiration to many. Each issue, he does us the honor of passing on his skills and wisdom.

Clinch Counter To Guillotine choke

1. Renzo (left, black T-shirt) and Ali (right, blue T-shirt) square off. Ali is the aggressor and looks to close the distance.

2. Ali achieves a Muay Thai plum clinch on Renzo. His hands are clasped on the back on Renzo’s neck with his fingers pointing up.

3. With his right arm, Renzo grabs Ali’s left arm inside the crux of Ali’s elbow. Then Renzo reaches up on the outside of Ali’s right arm and grabs the back of Ali’s neck.

4. Renzo turns his left shoulder and hip towards Ali’s right arm, pivoting on his left (leading) leg to break Ali’s grip on the back of his neck.

5. Renzo takes his left leg and steps towards Ali’s right leg, pulling his opponent’s body in close to him.

Renzo removes his grip from the crux of Ali’s elbow and shoots his right hand up underneath Ali’s left arm.

6. Renzo exerts pressure on Ali’s head, bringing it down.

7. Renzo wraps his right arm around the back of Ali’s neck and grabs his right wrist with his left hand.

The blade of Renzo’s right arm will be against Ali’s neck. He can make sure of this by having his thumb in a position to point straight upwards.

8. Putting his palms together in his preferred grip, Renzo slaps on the guillotine. A common mistake when executing this submission is to lean over the opponent.

Instead, lean back and pull up with your clasped hands – notice how Ali is lifting off the ground.