Front Headlock Go-Behind

Also known as: Spin Behind · Shuck · Duck Around

The positional cash-out of the front headlock: shuck the head aside and circle behind your opponent before they can square up with you.

Back Take · Gi & No-gi · Difficulty 2/5 · Usually learned at White belt

Starts from Front Headlock as the attacker (on the head) → lands in Back Control.

The details that make it work

1. Push the head down and ACROSS with the chin-strap hand as you release and spin to the far side.
2. Your first step is lateral, past their trapped arm — spin around their head, not their hips.
3. Arrive with chest on their back and hips heavy; take the seatbelt before they build to their base.

Where it goes wrong

• Spinning with no snap first, giving them a free single leg as you circle.

How opponents counter it

• Sit-out through the vacating pressure
• Wrist control on the chin-strap hand to stop the shuck

Is the Front Headlock Go-Behind legal in competition?

Legal in all major rulesets at all levels (IBJJF, ADCC, sub-only). Rules change — always confirm against the current official rulebook for your event.

Related techniques

• Snap Down
• Sprawl
• Back Take from Turtle
• Rear Naked Choke

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