The triangle choke is one of those moves that makes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so special—it’s technical, sneaky, and incredibly effective. It’s also one of the first submissions most people learn because it perfectly demonstrates how you can use leverage and technique to overcome someone stronger or bigger.


What’s the Triangle Choke All About?

You’re on your back, your opponent is leaning into you, and suddenly, you trap their head and arm with your legs, cutting off their blood flow like it’s no big deal. That’s the triangle choke in action. It works by compressing the sides of your opponent’s neck using your thigh and their own shoulder. The result? A tap or a nap.

This submission is not just flashy—it’s fundamental. Plus, it looks super slick when you pull it off.


The Steps to Set It Up

  1. Break Their Posture
    The first step to any good attack from closed guard is to break your opponent’s posture. Use your legs to pull them in and your hands to control their collar or sleeves. If their head is up and their back is straight, forget the triangle—you’re not going anywhere.
  2. Isolate an Arm
    Your goal is to trap one of their arms while the other stays outside your legs. Pull one arm across your chest, like you’re hugging it. This sets up the triangle position.
  3. Open Your Guard and Create an Angle
    Once you’ve got their posture broken and an arm isolated, it’s time to move. Place one foot on their hip and pivot your body. Think of it like shifting your hips to the side so you’re at an angle—it’s all about creating space to attack.
  4. Swing Your Leg Over Their Shoulder
    Now comes the fun part. Shoot your leg up and over their trapped shoulder. Your shin should land right behind their neck, while your other leg stays tight against their back to keep them in place.
  5. Lock It Up
    Bring your free leg over the ankle of the leg that’s behind their neck and lock it up. Boom—you’ve got the triangle position! You’re now just a squeeze away from victory.

How to Finish the Choke

  1. Tighten It
    Grab your shin (not your foot—never the foot!) and adjust to make the triangle tighter. Your legs should feel like a vice.
  2. Cut the Angle
    Here’s where the magic happens. Pivot even more to the side, so your opponent’s trapped arm and neck are compressed against your thigh. The more angle you get, the tighter the choke.
  3. Squeeze and Pull
    To finish, pull their head down with your hands while squeezing your legs together and raising your hips. This creates the pressure that forces the tap.

Pro Tips for Nailing the Triangle

  • Stay Tight: If your guard is loose or their posture is strong, they’ll escape. Keep everything snug and controlled.
  • Focus on Angles: The key to a successful triangle is all about getting the right angle. Drill this movement—it’ll make a huge difference.
  • Have a Backup Plan: Sometimes, the triangle doesn’t work out. Be ready to transition to an armbar, omoplata, or sweep if things go south.

Why the Triangle Choke Rocks

The triangle choke is like the Swiss Army knife of submissions—it’s versatile, effective, and downright satisfying when you hit it. It’s one of those moves that feels like poetry in motion when you execute it cleanly. And the best part? It’s a classic example of how technique always beats brute strength.

So next time you’re on the mats, play around with the triangle from closed guard. Work on your setup, fine-tune your angles, and enjoy that sweet, sweet feeling of hearing your training partner tap. Happy training!

 

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