Shoulder Triangle

The Shoulder Triangle, also referred to as the Arm-In Triangle, is a submission that utilizes a combination of your opponent's shoulder and your arms or legs to create pressure around their neck. This technique functions as a blood choke by compressing the carotid arteries on both sides of the neck. It can be executed from various positions and often serves as a transitional attack.

Key Concepts

Blood Choke

  • Like the traditional Triangle Choke, it cuts off blood flow by compressing the carotid arteries.

Shoulder as a Tool

  • The opponent's own shoulder is used to close off one side of the neck.

Tight Control

Execution Steps

Trap the Arm and Neck

  • Control one of the opponent’s arms and position it across their neck. This arm, combined with their shoulder, will block one side of their neck.

Establish the Choke Grip or Frame

  • Depending on the variation, use your arms or legs to lock the choke. For an arm-based Shoulder Triangle, form a figure-four grip similar to the Arm Triangle.
  • For leg-based variations, lock a triangle around their neck and shoulder, akin to the Leg Triangle.

Adjust Your Position

  • Create the correct angles by moving your hips or shifting your body to tighten the choke.
  • Ensure the trapped arm stays across their neck and doesn’t slip out.

Apply Pressure

  • Squeeze your arms or legs while pulling or pushing in the appropriate direction to compress the neck. Use your hips and core to add additional pressure.

Monitor for the Tap

  • Apply steady pressure, but be aware of your opponent’s reaction to avoid injury.

Common Entries

From Side Control

  • Trap the opponent’s far arm and head, then transition into the choke by locking your arms or legs around their neck.

From Mount

  • If the opponent attempts to escape by bridging or turning, their arm may become isolated, allowing you to set up the choke.

From Half Guard

  • Use the opponent's attempts to frame or recover guard to trap their arm and transition into the choke.

From Guard Positions

  • Secure the Shoulder Triangle during scrambles or when the opponent’s arm is isolated and pushed across their neck.

During a Takedown Defense

Scramble Situations

  • In dynamic exchanges, you can trap the arm and neck to quickly apply the Shoulder Triangle.

Tips for Success

Keep Tight Connections

  • Ensure no space between your grip or leg lock and the opponent’s neck.

Control the Hips

  • Prevent the opponent from posturing or escaping by dominating their lower body.

Adjust the Angle

  • Use your body to align the choke properly, ensuring both sides of the neck are compressed.

Stay Patient

  • Rushing the choke can lead to escape opportunities; secure all grips before applying pressure.
Warning

The Shoulder Triangle requires precise positioning to be effective. Applying pressure without proper alignment can lead to wasted energy and give your opponent a chance to counter. Always maintain control while setting up the choke.

Positioning

The key to executing the Shoulder Triangle is maintaining tight connections, controlling the opponent’s Fundamentals/Base and posture, and adjusting your angles to ensure the choke is tight and effective.

Side Control

  • From Side Control, isolate the opponent’s arm across their neck and lock the choke with your arms or legs. Adjust your angle for maximum pressure.

Mount

  • When the opponent bridges or turns, isolate their arm across their neck. Transition into the Shoulder Triangle as they defend.

Half Guard Top

  • If the opponent frames against your shoulder or tries to recover guard, trap their arm across their neck and secure the choke.

Closed Guard

  • From Closed Guard, break the opponent’s posture and pull their arm across their neck to set up a leg-based Shoulder Triangle.

Butterfly Guard

  • Use Butterfly Guard sweeps to expose the opponent’s arm and neck, transitioning into a Shoulder Triangle during the scramble.

During a Takedown Defense

Scramble Situations

  • In dynamic exchanges where the opponent’s arm and head are exposed, quickly lock in the Shoulder Triangle.

Turtle Control

  • If the opponent turtles, secure a Front Headlock and isolate their arm to transition into the choke.

From Guard Passing

  • While passing guard, use a Guard Passes/Knee Cut or Toreando to control the opponent’s head and arm, setting up the Shoulder Triangle during the transition.

North South Top

  • If the opponent's arm is trapped across their body, you can adjust your position to transition into the choke.

Standing Scrambles

  • If the opponent's head is low during a standing exchange, trap their arm and neck to apply the choke.

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