The Head Scissors choke is a submission that is found in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other forms of grappling. Having said this, it’s quite a rare submission and isn’t too common to see for reasons that will be mentioned later. Still, like all chokes it should be taken seriously as it can choke you unconscious if you don’t defend it correctly. This article will outline how to defend against the Head Scissors, as well as how to use it offensively.
How to do the Head Scissors choke
If you think about it, the Head Scissors choke is basically an armless Triangle. Where the Triangle traps one arm and uses the shoulder to press into the artery, the Head Scissors doesn’t use the shoulder as both arms and shoulders are out of the legs. This means it can be harder to finish, but not impossible.
Sadly, a lot of people use the Head Scissors as a neck crank too. Whilst this can get people to tap, it’s very low percentage and is based on pain compliance more than a clean technique. The point is to be able to choke tough people out and disregard mental strength.
Anyway, to get the Head Scissors choke to work, you’ll want your opponent to be flat on their back whilst you’re on your side (on your shoulder). Then, you’ll want both legs wrapped around their neck. Ideally, you’ll want their head trapped above your knees, so your thighs do the choke.
The reason for this is that thighs are big and powerful, whereas the muscles below the knee are small and weaker, which would make the submission less effective. Also, your body should be looking into the opponent, as if looking towards their face when trying to submit them.
Once this is in place, you’ll want to straighten your legs as much as possible which will tighten the lock and theoretically will cut off the blood supply to the opponent’s brain. If done correctly, this should choke them out.
Subtle details of the Head Scissors choke
The Head Scissors seems to be a technique that a lot of BJJ newcomers try and use to get a cheap submission. However, remember you should never try and use this as a neck crank and there’s a few things to think about.
The first is your leg placement. In short, your legs should be on their side with your opponent flat on their back. Your bottom leg should go under their neck like a pillow. The top leg then goes under the neck and not on the jaw. If you place it over the jaw, it probably won’t choke them, whereas placing it under the jaw will hit the artery and secure the choke.
To do this, a lot of people start by having their bottom leg straight, then moving their top leg until they can feel the neck. After it’s under, then you can straighten it out and go for the submission.
Another thing worth mentioning is the Kimura. Ideally, you should also grab the nearside arm and use a Kimura grip whilst trying to finish the Head Scissors choke. The reason for this is that it will keep them controlled and you can also submit them with a Kimura by bending their arm back. This means that even if the Head Scissors fails, you’ll still have a shoulder submission at the same time.
Entries into the Head Scissors
There are a few main ways to get to the Head Scissors choke and most of these are from top positions. The first way is from an armbar position. Imagine you can’t finish a regular armbar, so instead, you take the leg under their jaw and slip it under their head. Then, you turn on your side and enter the position whilst remembering to grab the Kimura.
The second way is also quite common and is done from a north south position. Here, you can get your legs around your opponent’s head whilst on top and drop back into the Head Scissors choke as if you were attempting an armbar from the top.
Lastly, the Head Scissors choke can be entered from the bottom too. Imagine your opponent frees their arm from a Triangle, or tries to stack you with a double unders pass. Here, you can wrap your legs around their neck and straighten them. Even from the bottom, you can get a Kimura grip from here. However, due to gravity, it’s probably harder to finish from this position.
How to escape the Head Scissors Choke
The Head Scissors choke can be escaped if it’s not choking you. Generally, it won’t instantly choke you either, so you’ll have a window of time to escape. If this is the case, then remember to tuck your chin. This will take pressure off the choke as well as the crank. Whilst tucking the chin won’t instantly save you, it certainly buys you a bit of time.
The next thing to do is not stay calm and not panic. This goes for all submissions, but don’t freak out and do something stupid. Next, you need to make space. Remember, the attackers goal is to lessen the space, so your objective should be the opposite. This is like trying to escape a Triangle, where space is key.
To get space, you should try and put your hands into the legs in a flat motion. This may not be easy, so you may only be able to fit one hand in at first. When this is done, turn your hand and try and make a fist that should open the leg. If possible, do this will both hands and then pry your head out. Your head may not pop out instantly, so you may have to wiggle it to lessen the friction.
With this done, you should now be able to escape. The good thing about Head Scissors escapes is usually you’ll end in a dominant position where you’re on top or ready to pass.
Sick Of Getting Neck Cranked From Head Scissors? Use The Iron Neck To Strengthen Your Neck Muscles
Is the Head Scissors submission legit?
The Head Scissors choke is legit and has put a few people to sleep during its time. However, if we’re being totally honest then it’s quite low percentage as far as submission moves go. The reason for this is that can be difficult to choke with compared to a Triangle. In fact, in terms of hierarchy, the Triangle is the best, then the Teepee choke, then Head Scissors.
That’s not to say the Head Scissors submission doesn’t work, but it’s mostly that it struggles compared to the others. In general, it can be quite difficult to finish from and requires precision with the legs, unless the opponent taps to a neck crank.
