Front Headlock Finish
Mat mode
3:00
Tell the roomTop converts the front headlock into a finish.
Show full gameHide full gameRules · how to win · coach notes
TOP PLAYER
POSITION
Top controls the neck and near elbow with chest driving into the upper back. Bottom is on knees, hands on the mat.
OBJECTIVE
Top converts the front headlock into a finish. Top must keep a hand on the head or neck the whole time.
CONSTRAINTS
Never release the head. Top keeps one hand on the head or neck; a release scores for bottom. Recover standing. Bottom cannot sit to guard. Score positions, not submissions. No chokes — use go-behinds, snap-downs, and drags. Reset when top circles to back control or drags through to side position; when top snaps down to front control or lands any takedown from head control; when bottom escapes to neutral standing or completes a counter-takedown; or when top releases the head or neck. 3-5 min rounds.
WIN CONDITION
Circle to back control or drag through to side position; snap down to front control, or land any takedown from head control.
BOTTOM PLAYER
POSITION
On knees, hands on the mat, under a sprawled front headlock.
OBJECTIVE
Bottom escapes to neutral standing or lands a counter-takedown.
CONSTRAINTS
Same never-release-the-head, recover-standing, score-positions-not-submissions, and named reset rules. 3-5 min rounds.
WIN CONDITION
Escape to neutral standing; complete a counter-takedown; or top releases the head or neck.
In competition
See it in competition: Signature Move: Shinobu OTA's (JPN) Front Head Lock →
Grapplers Collective, Front Headlock Finish. 3-5 min rounds.
Problem
Converting front headlock control into finishes — go-behinds and chokes.
Tell the room
Top converts the front headlock into a finish. Bottom escapes to neutral standing or lands a counter-takedown. Top must keep a hand on the head or neck the whole time.
Setup
Start in a sprawled front headlock. Top controls the neck and near elbow with chest driving into the upper back. Bottom is on knees, hands on the mat.
Score
Finish from head control.
- Top — circle to back control or drag through to side position
- Top — snap down to front control, or land any takedown from head control
- Bottom — escape to neutral standing or complete a counter-takedown
Rules
- Never release the head. Top keeps one hand on the head or neck; a release scores for bottom.
- Recover standing. Bottom cannot sit to guard.
- Score positions, not submissions. No chokes — use go-behinds, snap-downs, and drags.
Adjust
Easier
Narrow the top player's win to back control only.
Harder
Allow guillotine, anaconda, and darce, and start each exchange with a live shot the top player must sprawl on.
If it stalls
If the top player holds without attacking, cue "position without action expires" and add a 10-second shot clock.
takedowns