A gritty guillotine playbook with unique arm-in mechanics and standing entries.
The Bottom Line
You will learn catch-flavored guillotine finishes and entries. You will get strong standing and snap-down options. You will not get a perfectly linear curriculum.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Pressure grapplers
Skip if: Need strict structure
Tech focus: Guillotine, Arm In Guillotine, Snap Down
Biggest takeaway: Pull the head first
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What You'll Learn
Catch-influenced guillotine mechanics with wrestling ties, unique grip options and arm-in finishes. Strong on standing snaps, front headlock pulls and gritty finishes. Pairs well with a pressure passing top game.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Guillotine
- Arm In Guillotine
- Front Headlock
- Snap Down
- Anaconda
- Darce
- Neck Ties
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Technique Collection
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: No-Gi
- Runtime: 3 hours and 38 minutes
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I had success using his standing pulls to create immediate chin exposure for arm-in finishes.
Why Neil Melanson?
Neil Melanson blends catch wrestling and BJJ; he coached elite MMA grapplers and is known for creative choke mechanics.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Aged well; different take on arm-in mechanics.
- Great details for standing entries and pulling mechanics.
- Practical for hobbyists and competitors alike.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some see it as less systematic than other sets.
- Bits can feel theoretical without lots of reps.
- Teaching cadence varies across chapters.
Smart Alternatives
- High Percentage Chokes: No Gi – Cleaner pedagogy with similar choke family coverage. (Price: $79.00)
- Systematically Attacking The Guillotine – Deeper finishing detail at a premium price. (Price: $349.00)
Sources & References
Official listing: View The Headhunter Guillotine Series on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
