The Front Headlock System by John Danaher

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What Will You Learn?

This system is one of the most innovative and effective systems in grappling. This is one of the key weapons in the arsenal of the Danaher Death Squad. Easy to implement, nearly impossible to stop.

Want to start an argument? Ask 2 Jiu-Jitsu masters how to do a Guillotine. All hell could break loose! One guy will say to make sure the arm is in, the other will say to never trap the arm! Only trap the neck and bring your elbow high over his back… Well John Danaher knows how to do them all, he knows how many arteries you have in your neck, and he knows how to manipulate his own hands, millimeter by millimeter to choke anyone into unconsciousness. There is knowing how to choke someone and then there is knowing every bit there is to know about choking someone out.

What is John Danaher’s advantage?

Why is he the most sought after Grappling instructor on the planet by a mile?

The answer is simple.. John Danaher not only knows more than anyone else about how to choke someone into unconsciousness, he also knows how to break it down so anyone can learn to be an expert in an almost unthinkably low amount of time.

JOHN DEMONSTRATING THE HIGH ELBOW ON WORLD CHAMPION, BERNARDO FARIA

Most coaches say it takes a lifetime to master Jiu-Jitsu…

John Danaher says he only needs about 5 years – and he keeps proving that time after time, taking otherwise normal guys and turning them into killers.


John has a lot of famous students:

Georges St. Pierre, Chris Weidman, Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Nicky Ryan.. he list goes on and on. But you want to hear something even more remarkable? John’s normal students, guys who are accountants, fund managers, construction workers and custodians -are killers too. Anyone can learn John Danaher’s systems, they can master them and become better at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu than they ever dreamed possible.

In this image you will see John Danaher's front headlock system on display at the highest levels of competition. His student, Gordon Ryan is able to solidify head and arm control in the finals of the ADCC against a formidable opponent, Keenan Cornelius. This was the beginning of the end for Keenan.

Gordon was able to use this head and arm control to isolate the neck and attack a guillotine choke. This would ultimately be the sequence of events that led to Keenan's demise. Gordon was able to submit him by way of guillotine choke in the finals of the ADCC. A perfect display of the Danaher front head lock system.

When Gordon Ryan made his black belt debut in an IBJJF tournament at the No-Gi Pan American Championships in New York City. Although many people doubted Gordon's ability to adapt to this new rule set that does not allow reaping or heel hooks, Gordon was able to win gold in both his weight division and absolute - submitting all of his opponents.

Gordon was able to implement John Danaher's front head lock system on numerous occasions. Although he is famous for his leg locks, Gordon knows this is only one part of his game because his coach, John Danaher, teaches him to attack the whole body.

So What Makes This System So Effective?

John Danaher is like a mad scientist. He not only understands the technical aspects of what makes techniques function, he also understands the anatomy of the body and how certain aspects of the body can be manipulated. There is a saying in wrestling, "where the head goes, the body follows." This is very true and in the case of Danaher's front headlock system, it is all about control.

This system was developed by Danaher not only for grappling but for MMA as well. His student, George St. Pierre has use this system on several occasions in the UFC. The idea is to control the head and arm and use this position to exploit other opportunities.

All to often people associate head and arm control with submissions like the guillotine, the anaconda, the D'arce, and more. Although these can very easily be obtained once you have secured head and arm control, that is not the primary reason for obtaining head and arm control.

In Greco Roman Wrestling, head and arm control is utilized almost more than any position and there are no submissions in wrestling. Why? Because you can use this position to achieve several powerful pinning position, sweeps, takedowns, and it is a position where you can exert minimal strength and energy while maintaining complete control of your opponent.

This control point is very similar to the infamous seat belt grip from the back position. John Danaher always emphasizes control over your opponent, you must be able to dictate the movements, and that is precisely what his front head locks system is about: control. There are numerous submissions you will learn, but the most valuable part of this series is that you will be able to control even the most athletic and spazzy opponent with ease.

So, What's On The Series?

Part 1
System Overview
Introduction Front Headlock
Control vs Submission
4 Main Scenarios of Front Headlock System
4 Points of Control
Vulnerabilities of Front Headlock
Helpful Terminology and Concepts
4 Step System

Part 2
Reactive entries
Reactive entries single
Reactive entries down blocks
Proactive entries snap downs
Inside tie straight snap
Inside tie side to side snap downs
Mutual collar ties snap down
Inside tie cross snap
Over tie snap down - outside Control
Half overtie snap
2 on 1 snap down
Over hook and under hook snap downs
Fake shot snap down
Taking standing front headlock to Mat - circling method
Taking stand front headlock to Mat sumi-gaeshi

Part 3
Introduction To Kneeling Front Headlocks
High wrist series
Centerline shift
High elbow guillotine first impressions
Low elbow guillotine high wrist position
Arm in guillotine high wrist position
High wrist position one-handed guillotine
High wrist power guillotine
Kneeling front headlock katagatame series
Front katagatame anaconda strangle

Part 4
Front kata gatame anaconda strangle - Olympic roll
Anaconda strangle leg assist
Anaconda strangle critical details
Anaconda strangle elbow to elbow method
Darce strangle / inverted kata gatame

Part 5
Darce strangle / inverted kata gatame elbow to elbow method
Seated kata gatame
Seated kata gatame - alternative finish
Cradle series
Cradle Leg Assist
Knee block go behind - mixing submission and position
Hand block go behind
Arm drag go behind
Putting it all together

Part 6
Introduction To Seated Front Headlocks
Seated guard snap downs
Seated guard snap down leg assist
Forward shift snap down
High elbow guillotine in detail
Low elbow guillotine in detail
Arm in guillotine in detail

Part 7
Hip heist
Collar tie hip heist
Shoulder post hip heist
Forward shift and hip heist
Overhook hip heist
Protecting the knee line with hip heist
Seated front headlock positional game
Yoko Sumi gaeshi

Part 8
Introduction to Guard Passing
Conventional guillotines vs seated guard
Front headlock guard pass
Front headlock inverted North South
Front headlock vs half guard
Front headlock vs half guard 2
Front headlock vs half guard 3
Front headlock vs half guard 4
Thumb to sternum the principle of closure

• The Complete System Gordon Used To Win The ADCC Finals Over Keenan Cornelius
• You'll Have A College Professor's Level Understanding Of The D'Arce, Guillotine and Head &Arm Strangles
• Quick, Easy &Effective: No Flexibility Required