Triangle From Guard

Submission

The triangle choke from guard is a submission where the attacker encircles the opponent's neck and one arm with their legs, creating a figure-four leg configuration that compresses the carotid arteries. It is available from numerous open guard positions whenever the practitioner can isolate one arm inside and one arm outside their legs.

Quick Reference

Key principles

  • · The choke requires one arm in and one arm out—controlling the opponent's posture and wrist makes this isolation possible.
  • · Cutting a sharp angle by pivoting your hips off-center tightens the triangle and eliminates space the opponent could use to posture.
  • · Pulling the head down while squeezing the knees together drives the trapped shoulder into the carotid artery for the finish.
  • · Keeping your hips high on the opponent's shoulders prevents them from stacking and creating distance to escape.
  • · If the opponent tries to posture out, immediately re-break posture with overhook grip on the head or by climbing your legs higher.

Execution

  1. 1 From guard, control one wrist and push it across your centerline while using your opposite hand to control the same-side collar or head, then shoot your hips up and throw one leg over the back of their neck.
  2. 2 Lock the triangle by placing the back of your knee over your opposite ankle, trapping one arm inside and keeping the other arm outside.
  3. 3 Angle your body perpendicular to your opponent by hip-escaping toward the trapped arm side, bringing your hips high on their shoulders.
  4. 4 Grab the back of their head and pull it down while squeezing your knees together and lifting your hips to finish the choke.

Common mistakes

  • × Locking the triangle without cutting an angle results in a loose choke that allows the opponent to posture, stack, or breathe through the pressure.
  • × Crossing your ankles instead of placing the knee pit over the ankle creates a weaker lock that is easier to pry open and harder to finish.
  • × Failing to control the trapped arm across your body lets the opponent frame inside the triangle and relieve choking pressure on the neck.

Do it from

Positions and situations where the Triangle From Guard shows up.

Arm Drag transition Armbar submission
7 less common
Mission Control Open Guard Bottom Collar Sleeve Guard Bottom De La Riva Guard Bottom Lasso Guard Bottom Reverse De La Riva Guard Bottom Spider Guard Bottom

Where it lands

The position you end up in.

Triangle Control

Common defenses

How opponents shut the Triangle From Guard down.

Triangle Escape escape