Triangle Choke Variations | BJJ App Wiki
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All BJJ triangle variations: standard, reverse, arm triangle, mounted triangle, inverted triangle — setups, adjustments, and finish mechanics.
The triangle family of chokes is one of the largest in BJJ — available from almost any position when you can create a three-point lock with your legs or arms around the neck.
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Standard Guard Triangle
The classic triangle from closed guard: push one arm across, throw your leg over the shoulder, lock the leg behind the knee (locking the choke), angle to cut the carotid, and pull the head down. The adjustment key: squeeze your knees toward each other and angle your body 30-45 degrees to the opposite side of the trapped arm.
Mounted Triangle
From technical mount: slide the leg over the neck and lock it behind your knee (high mount triangle entry), angle your body, and finish. Alternatively from S-mount: when they reach up, throw your leg over the arm and neck, roll back, and lock. Mounted triangles are extremely tight because gravity assists the squeeze.
Reverse Triangle
The reverse triangle chokes from the opposite direction — your legs face the opponent's feet. From guard: when they stack you, reverse your position and apply the reverse triangle by catching the neck from behind. From side control escapes when you can thread the legs.
Arm Triangle (Head-and-Arm Choke)
The arm triangle uses one arm and the head rather than two arms. From mount or side control: trap one arm across the neck, lock the submission with your arms (or body weight from side control), and apply the choke by driving your head down and squeezing. A key of the arm triangle is positioning your head to the correct side.
Inverted Triangle
The inverted triangle (from bottom half guard or open guard): when the opponent is passed and you face down, you can throw your legs over their head from behind and lock a triangle facing the opposite direction. Used primarily as a last-resort counter during scrambles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Three common issues: (1) Wrong angle — you need to cut across the carotid, not just squeeze, (2) Opponent postures up and escapes — use cross-face and head control to maintain depth, (3) Legs not locked — the leg must be locked BEHIND the knee, not just touching.
Angle work is critical for triangles against larger opponents. Create a sharp 45-degree angle, pull the arm across more aggressively, and pull the head down with both hands. A well-angled triangle on a larger opponent still works; a poorly angled triangle on a smaller opponent does not.
They serve different purposes and are best used together. The triangle attacks from the front while the armbar attacks the isolated arm. Combining them (triangle to armbar when they clasp hands) creates a chain that is very hard to defend.
Related Guides
→ 🔗 Submission Chain Guide→ 🎯 High Percentage Attacks→ 🎯 Back Attacks Guide→ 🛡️ Guard Types Guide→ 👕 No-Gi ConceptsGet the BJJ Wiki Newsletter
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More Questions
How do I prevent my opponent from stacking me during a triangle choke?
To counter stacking, focus on maintaining hip pressure and keeping your hips elevated. You can also use your free leg to push off their hip or shoulder, creating space and preventing them from collapsing your structure.
What are some common mistakes beginners make when trying the triangle choke?
A common mistake is not fully locking the triangle, leaving a gap for the opponent to escape. Another is not controlling the opponent's posture, allowing them to stack or pass your guard easily. Ensure your shin is across their neck and your heel is locked behind their knee.
How can I transition to other submissions if the triangle choke isn't working?
If your opponent defends the triangle well, you can often transition to an armbar by releasing your grip and extending your legs. Alternatively, if they posture up, you can use the momentum to set up a omoplata or even a guillotine choke.
Common BJJ Problems & FAQ
This often happens when your shin bone isn't properly pressing into the carotid artery on the side of their neck; ensure your knee is driven forward and your shin is angled across their throat, not just their jawline. Additionally, failing to pull their head down and across your chest with your arms allows them to create space and escape the choke's pressure.
Focus on trapping their arm across your chest and securing your own shin with your opposite hand to create a tight 'figure-four' grip; this locks down their posture and prevents them from posturing up. Drive your hips up into their torso and simultaneously pull down on their head with your arms, creating a powerful strangulation mechanism by compressing their carotid artery.
They are escaping by turning their head away because you haven't effectively cut off the blood flow to that side of their neck; ensure your knee is positioned high on their shoulder, not just around their neck, and that your shin is actively pushing into their carotid artery. Simultaneously, use your arm to pull their head towards your opposite armpit, preventing them from turning and trapping their head in the choke's apex.