aliases:
  - Mounted Triangle Choke

Mounted Triangle

The Mounted Triangle is a submission technique where the practitioner uses their legs to trap their opponent's head and one arm, applying a choke by cutting off blood flow to the carotid arteries. It is a variation of the Triangle Choke, performed from the dominant Mount position.

Key Steps

Set Up the Trap:
- From Mount, create space by isolating one of the opponent's arms. This can often be achieved by threatening other submissions (e.g., an Armbar) or taking advantage of their defensive hand positioning.
Positioning the Leg:
- Slide one leg under the opponent's neck while keeping their arm trapped between your legs. The shin of this leg will rest across their back and neck.
Locking the Triangle:
- Bring your other leg over and cross it under the knee of your first leg to form a tight triangle around their neck and arm. Adjust the positioning so your knee aligns with their neck for optimal pressure.
Apply the Choke:
- Squeeze your knees together and pull their trapped arm across their neck. Simultaneously, lift your hips to tighten the choke. You may also need to adjust your angle slightly by rotating or shifting your weight to apply maximum pressure.
Finishing the Submission:
- Hold the locked triangle and apply pressure gradually until the opponent taps or the choke renders them unconscious.

Details for Success

Control

Maintain a dominant position while transitioning into the triangle to avoid escapes.

Angle

Adjust the angle of your legs to ensure proper pressure on the opponent's carotid arteries.

Posture

Keep your weight balanced to prevent them from reversing the position or creating space.

The Mounted Triangle is effective because it combines positional dominance with a high-percentage submission, making it difficult for the opponent to escape. It is a great example of positional hierarchy and pressure working in tandem.

Positioning

The Mounted Triangle is typically executed from dominant positions where the practitioner has control over the opponent's upper body and the ability to maneuver their legs into the triangle configuration. Below are the common positions and scenarios from which the Mounted Triangle can be set up:

Mount

The most direct and classic position for setting up a Mounted Triangle.
From Mount, the practitioner can isolate one of the opponent's arms while creating space to swing their leg over and lock in the triangle.

S-Mount

This is an excellent position to transition into a Mounted Triangle.
The S-Mount naturally positions one of your legs under the opponent's head and isolates one arm, making it easier to adjust into the triangle.

Technical Mount

The Technical Mount offers control and angles that make transitioning to the triangle effective.
If the opponent attempts to turn away or defend, their arm and neck are exposed for the setup.

Side Control

While not directly a mount position, certain setups from Side Control can lead to transitioning into Mount or directly into a Mounted Triangle.
For example, transitioning to Mount with an arm isolated can allow a quick triangle setup.

Back Control or Technical Mount Transition

In cases where the opponent escapes Back Control or you transition to Mount, you can secure their arm and head during the movement, leading to a Mounted Triangle.

During Armbar Setups

Attempting an Armbar from Mount or S-Mount often exposes the opponent's neck and trapped arm. This can provide a quick opportunity to transition into a triangle if they defend the armbar.

Scramble Situations

In a scramble where you land in a dominant position, if the opponent's arm and head are in a favorable position, you can improvise the triangle lock.

The key to executing a Mounted Triangle from any of these positions is maintaining control over the opponent's posture and using positional layering to secure dominance before initiating the choke.