The triangle choke is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's most iconic submission. Using your legs in a figure-four around their neck and arm, you create a blood choke that attacks both carotid arteries. What makes the triangle special is its availability—it's there any time your opponent has one arm in and one arm out of your guard. The triangle also chains seamlessly into armbars, omoplatas, and sweeps, making it the cornerstone of guard offense.
🎯Key Details
Lock configuration
Your attacking leg goes across the back of their neck, your other leg closes the triangle by locking your ankle behind your knee. Their trapped arm should be across your centerline.
Angle is everything
Cut a 30-45 degree angle toward your attacking leg side. This shortens the choke, removes their posture ability, and eliminates stack escapes. No angle = no finish.
Pull the head
Both hands pull their head down into the choke. This breaks their posture and prevents them from creating space.
Arm position
Their trapped arm should cross your body, ideally toward their opposite hip. An arm pointing upward creates space and weakens the choke.
Squeeze with your knees, not just your legs
Think about bringing your knees together while pulling your feet down. This creates maximum compression around their neck.
⚠️Common Mistakes
No angle—staying flat on your back
Cut the angle immediately after locking. Use your free leg to push off their hip and rotate.
Triangle is too big (long legs, short opponent)
Don't reach so far over their shoulder. Lock higher on your own leg, and focus on pulling them into you rather than reaching around them.
Letting them posture up
Control their posture before locking. If they're already postured, use your legs to break them back down before re-attacking.
Attacking when both arms are inside
The triangle requires one arm in, one arm out. If both arms are in, switch to armbar or create the position first.
🚀Setups
- •Overhook + arm push from guard
- •Hip bump sweep fake to triangle
- •Spider guard arm push
- •Failed armbar transition
- •Pulling guard directly into triangle
🛡️Counters / Defenses
- •Stack and pull arm out
- •Posture hard and strip the leg
- •Turn into guard pass
🔄Variations
📍Applicable Positions
🔗Related Techniques
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