Arm Triangle
Also known as: Head and Arm Choke, Kata-gatame, Side Choke
The arm triangle is a suffocating submission that uses your opponent's own shoulder against them. By trapping their arm across their neck and applying chest-to-chest pressure, you compress both carotid arteries—one with your arm, one with their own shoulder. It's one of the highest percentage submissions from top position because once the grip is locked, escape is nearly impossible.
🎯Key Details
Driving the arm across
Their arm must be across their face/neck, driven by your shoulder pressure. If their arm is by their side, there's no choke. Use your head and shoulder to swim it across.
Lock configuration
Your choking arm wraps their neck (with their arm included), grabbing your own bicep. Your other hand can cup your own head or their far shoulder.
Finishing position
Switch your hips to the choking arm side, sprawl your legs back. Chest-to-chest contact is essential. Your weight should be suffocating.
Head position
Keep your head tight to theirs, ear to ear. Any space allows them to create defensive frames.
The squeeze
Don't just squeeze your arms—drive your shoulder down while expanding your chest. The finish is isometric pressure, not a crush.
⚠️Common Mistakes
Trying to finish from mount
Mount arm triangle can work, but side position is higher percentage. Step over to mount to trap the arm, then switch to side to finish.
Hips too close (not sprawled)
Sprawl your legs back and away. Close hips = they can bridge and escape. Sprawled hips = crushing pressure.
Head too far away
Your head should be cheek to cheek with theirs. Space lets them turn into you or frame.
Arm not far enough across
Their elbow should be past their centerline, ideally pointing toward their far hip. If their elbow is by their face, keep driving.
🚀Setups
- •Mount to arm triangle
- •Side control shoulder pressure
- •Americana defense creates arm triangle
- •Failed underhook from bottom
- •Transition from knee on belly
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Frame on their hip before they lock
- •Turn into them and recover guard
- •Hand fight to prevent arm being driven across
- •Bridge and shrimp before they sprawl
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
Track Your Progress on Arm Triangle
Log when you drill this technique, track your success rate in sparring, and get AI-powered insights to improve.
Start Tracking