Triangle Choke

The Triangle Choke, or Sankaku Jime in Judo, is a highly effective and versatile submission that uses the attacker’s legs to create a blood choke by compressing the opponent’s carotid arteries. This submission is commonly applied from various guard positions, particularly when the opponent’s posture is broken and their arm is isolated across their neck.

Key Concepts

Blood Choke

  • The legs form a triangle around the opponent’s neck and shoulder, cutting off blood flow to the brain.

Arm Isolation

  • One of the opponent’s arms is trapped across their body, aiding in the choke.

Leg Positioning

  • Proper leg placement and angle are crucial for maximizing the choke’s effectiveness.

Execution Steps

Break the Opponent’s Posture

  • From a guard position, pull the opponent down to disrupt their Fundamentals/Base and posture, creating an opportunity to attack their neck.

Trap One Arm and the Neck

  • Isolate one arm by pulling it across your centerline while ensuring your leg wraps around the back of the opponent’s neck.

Form the Triangle

  • Place the ankle of your top leg behind the knee of your opposite leg, forming a triangular shape around the opponent’s neck and shoulder.

Adjust the Angle

  • Pivot your hips to align your body at a perpendicular angle to the opponent. This adjustment tightens the choke by ensuring both sides of the neck are compressed.

Secure the Lock

  • Pull down on your shin or grab the opponent’s head to prevent them from posturing out. Squeeze your legs together while lifting your hips to apply pressure.

Finish the Choke

  • Engage your hips and thighs to compress the neck while pulling their trapped arm across for additional pressure.

Common Entries

Closed Guard

  • Break the opponent’s posture and isolate their arm to transition into the Triangle Choke.

Open Guard Variations

During Guard Pass Defense

  • When the opponent attempts to pass your guard, trap their arm and neck to lock in the choke.

From Side Control Bottom

  • If the opponent’s arm and head are positioned carelessly, invert or transition into the Triangle Choke.

Mount to Triangle

  • When the opponent attempts to escape mount, transition to their neck and arm to secure the choke.

Scrambles and Reversals

  • In dynamic exchanges, capitalize on openings to lock in the triangle.

Tips for Success

Angle Adjustment

  • Pivot your hips to create a perpendicular angle with the opponent. This tightens the choke and makes it harder to escape.

Control the Opponent’s Posture

  • Prevent them from posturing up by pulling their head or controlling your shin.

Squeeze Your Knees

  • Engage your thighs and hamstrings to increase pressure on the neck.

Isolate the Arm

  • The opponent’s trapped arm should be pulled across their neck to enhance the choke.

Stay Tight

  • Avoid leaving gaps that could allow the opponent to escape.

Positioning

The Triangle Choke is highly versatile and can be executed from many positions as long as the opponent’s head and one arm are trapped within your legs. Mastering angle adjustments and maintaining tight connections are critical for a successful finish.

Closed Guard

  • A classic setup for the Triangle Choke, where you break the opponent’s posture, isolate an arm, and wrap your legs around their neck.

Open Guard

Spider Guard

  • Use your grips and leg control to manipulate the opponent into a triangle setup.

De La Riva

  • Transition into the Triangle Choke during sweeps or when the opponent exposes their head and arm.

Butterfly Guard

  • Pull the opponent forward to isolate their arm and neck for the triangle.

Side Control Bottom

  • If the opponent leaves their arm across your body, you can invert or pivot into a Triangle Choke.

Mount

  • Transition into the triangle if the opponent bridges or pushes your hips to escape.

Guard Pass Defense

  • When the opponent tries to pass your guard, catch their head and arm to lock in a triangle during their movement.

Half Guard

  • Use your legs and hips to isolate their arm and neck during their attempt to pass or pressure forward.

Scramble Situations

  • In dynamic exchanges, especially after failed Takedowns or guard passes, you can catch the opponent’s head and arm for a quick triangle.

Turtle Control

  • When the opponent turtles, their head and arm may become exposed, allowing you to transition into a triangle choke.

Back Defense

  • From back control, if the opponent turns into you to escape, you can transition to the triangle.

From Sweeps

  • Many sweeps, such as the Flower Sweep or Butterfly Sweep, create opportunities to trap the opponent’s head and arm for the triangle.

North South Bottom

  • If the opponent’s posture is low, you can catch their arm and head to transition into the triangle.

Standing Exchanges

  • During takedown attempts or scrambles, you can jump into a triangle if the opponent’s head and arm are in the right position.

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