Von Flue Choke
Counter-choke that punishes a locked guillotine from top half or side by driving shoulder pressure into their own grip.
blood choke
Overview
The Von Flue choke finishes when an opponent locks a guillotine but cannot finish, while you stay on top in half guard or side control. By connecting your hands around their shoulder and driving your near shoulder into their neck, you turn their own guillotine grip into the strangulation.
#Setup
- Stay heavy on top when they lock a guillotine from bottom half or side.
- Clear enough space to connect your hands around their trapped-side shoulder.
- Keep your near shoulder glued into the side of their neck.
#Execution
- Drive shoulder pressure into the neck while sprawling hips back.
- Walk slightly toward their head to remove slack without giving up top.
- Maintain the clasp so they cannot release the guillotine cleanly.
#Finishing
- Keep chest-to-chest or shoulder-to-neck connection through the squeeze.
- If they release the guillotine, settle side control rather than chasing a dead choke.
- Release on tap — this finish can sneak up when they refuse to let go.
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Safety Note
Von Flue pressure can crank if your shoulder is on the jaw instead of the neck. Align on the neck, apply progressive pressure, and stop on tap.
Primary Targets
- Neck
- Carotid arteries
Key Concepts
- It only works if they keep the guillotine locked.
- Shoulder into neck + top pressure is the finish.
- Do not panic-pass while their grip is still live — use it.
Primary Entries
- Top half guard when they lock a guillotine and stall.
- Side control after they fail a front headlock finish.
- Scrambles where you sprawl into a locked but unfinished guillotine.
Defenses & Counters
- Expect them to release the guillotine once they feel the counter — settle position immediately.
- Watch for bridges that create space under your shoulder; re-glue before squeezing.
- If their grip is already soft, abandon the Von Flue and pass normally.
Follow-Ups
- Side control when they release the guillotine.
- Mount if their shoulders flatten during the scramble.
- Front headlock chains if they sit up after releasing.
Training Drills
- Cooperative guillotine-lock to Von Flue pressure reps
- Top half retention while a partner holds a non-finishing guillotine
- Recognition drills: finish vs release decision
Related Techniques
Deepen your study with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
The Von Flue is the answer to a stuck guillotine on top. Stay heavy, clasp around their shoulder, drive your shoulder into the neck, and let their own grip finish the choke — or take position when they finally let go.