How to Perfect the Triangle Choke Tips and Tricks

The triangle choke is one of the most effective submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), capable of submitting opponents with superior strength, size, or skill. Known for its versatility, the triangle choke can be applied from a variety of positions, and it often catches even experienced practitioners off guard. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced practitioner, mastering the triangle choke is essential to your BJJ arsenal. In this blog, we will break down the key tips and tricks to perfecting the triangle choke, ensuring you can finish the submission with efficiency and precision.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on breaking your opponent’s posture and creating a strong angle to set up the triangle.
• Ensure proper leg positioning and use your hips to apply pressure and tighten the submission.
• Practice transitioning to the triangle from different positions, including open guard and top positions.
• Avoid common mistakes like failing to break posture or not using enough hip pressure.

What Is the Triangle Choke?

The triangle choke is a submission that involves trapping your opponent’s neck and one arm between your legs while using your thighs to apply pressure. Essentially, you use your legs to create a "triangle" shape around your opponent’s neck and one arm, squeezing to cut off blood flow and air, eventually forcing the opponent to tap.

The submission relies on leverage, body positioning, and control rather than strength, making it an ideal tool for smaller practitioners to use against larger opponents. It’s a powerful choke that can be applied from various positions, but the most common setup occurs from the guard position.

1. Master the Setup

The first step to perfecting the triangle choke is mastering the setup. You need to understand the proper positioning and angle to effectively lock in the choke.

• Get to the Guard Position: Start in a closed guard (or open guard if you prefer). The closed guard offers a strong position for controlling your opponent and setting up the triangle choke.
• Break Posture: You need to break your opponent’s posture by pulling them forward with your legs or creating an angle to destabilize them. This allows you to isolate their arm and set up the triangle.
• Angle Your Body: Once you have control of their posture, angle your body to one side. It’s crucial that you don’t stay flat on your back. Instead, rotate to your side to create a stronger angle, which will help you lock in the triangle more effectively.
• Control the Arm: As you angle your body, pull your opponent’s arm across your body, isolating it across their neck. This is crucial for setting up the choke.

2. Proper Leg Positioning and Lock

The next crucial step in perfecting the triangle choke is ensuring the proper leg positioning to effectively lock the submission.

• The "Triangle" Shape: Place your leg across your opponent’s neck and behind their shoulder, creating the triangular shape. Make sure the back of your knee is tight around their neck, and your opponent’s trapped arm is held across their neck.
• Lock the Triangle: After your leg is across their neck, your other leg should shoot across and lock behind your first leg. Use your foot to lock the triangle in place, keeping your foot positioned on the hip of your opponent.
• Pull Down on the Head: As you lock your legs, pull down on your opponent’s head to increase the pressure on their neck. This action will create more force and make it harder for them to escape.

Tip: If your opponent is resisting the lock, don’t hesitate to adjust the angle. Often, adjusting the angle by shifting your body or adjusting your hips can make the submission tighter and harder to escape.

3. The Key to Tightening the Submission

Once the triangle is locked, it's crucial to apply the choke with precision. Here are some key tips for tightening the submission:

• Squeeze Your Knees: Squeeze your knees together and use your hips to push forward. This increases the pressure on your opponent’s neck and makes the choke more effective.
• Lift Your Hips: Lifting your hips and creating a straight line with your body can also help. This is especially important when applying the triangle choke on an opponent with a longer neck or when they are attempting to posture up.
• Adjust the Angle: If your opponent is resisting, don’t be afraid to adjust your angle. Shifting your hips can create a better alignment and increase the choke’s effectiveness. Sometimes, it’s necessary to adjust slightly to get the right angle to finish the submission.

Tip: Always make sure your opponent’s trapped arm is effectively trapped across their neck, as this will add to the pressure. If their arm is not across their neck, the triangle will be less effective.

4. Utilizing the Triangle from Different Positions

While the triangle choke is most commonly executed from the closed guard, there are many other positions from which you can attempt it.

• Open Guard: From open guard, use a similar setup to the closed guard triangle. If your opponent stands or posts a leg, you can transition into the triangle more easily. From here, you will need to control their posture, and once you isolate the arm, use your leg to sweep into the triangle.

• From Top Position (Mount or Side Control): You can also set up a triangle choke from a top position if your opponent provides an opening. For example, if you're in side control and your opponent frames or exposes their neck, you can transition to the triangle by moving to the mount or taking advantage of their posture.

• Armbar to Triangle Transition: One of the best transitions to the triangle choke occurs when your opponent defends against an armbar by pulling their arm out. As they attempt to escape, you can easily switch to a triangle by pushing their arm across their neck and securing the position.

5. Avoiding Common Mistakes

Mastering the triangle choke also involves avoiding common mistakes that can cause your submission to fail.

• Not Breaking Posture Enough: If you don’t break your opponent’s posture before attempting the triangle, they will be able to posture up and defend against the choke. Always ensure that their head is down and their arm is isolated before proceeding.
• Not Using Enough Hip Pressure: Failing to use your hips and legs effectively will result in a loose submission. Make sure your hips are active during the setup, lock, and finishing stages to increase the choke’s pressure.
• Incorrect Leg Placement: Incorrect leg placement, such as leaving too much space between your opponent’s neck and your knee, will make it easier for them to escape. Always make sure your knee is tight around their neck.

6. Using the Triangle with Confidence

Once you've practiced the mechanics of the triangle choke and have gained confidence in your technique, you'll be able to apply it with fluidity and precision. Keep refining your ability to set up, lock, and finish the submission from various angles and positions. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.

One of the ways to practice these techniques is by drilling with a trusted training partner and, of course, wearing a high-quality gi that allows for fluid movement and control. RollBliss provides durable. comfortable gis that help you perform moves like the triangle choke with ease and confidence.

Conclusion

The triangle choke is an essential submission in BJJ, and perfecting it requires attention to detail, consistent practice, and the right mindset. By focusing on your angles, leg positioning, and the use of leverage, you can turn this submission into one of your most reliable tools on the mats. With practice, you'll not only execute the triangle choke with precision but also feel confident applying it against various opponents in different situations.

Invest in your training with gear that supports your movement and technique. A well-fitting gi from RollBliss ensures that you’re comfortable while perfecting your triangle choke and other submissions.

FAQs

1. What is the best way to set up the triangle choke from guard?

To set up the triangle choke from guard, break your opponent’s posture by pulling them forward and shifting your body to create an angle. Isolate one of their arms across your body, then place your leg across their neck and lock your other leg behind the first one, creating a triangle shape. Pull down on their head to tighten the choke.

2. How can I tighten the triangle choke if my opponent is resisting?

To tighten the triangle choke, squeeze your knees together and use your hips to push forward, applying more pressure to their neck. Additionally, lifting your hips and adjusting the angle by shifting your body can make the choke more effective.

3. What are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the triangle choke?

Common mistakes include not breaking your opponent’s posture enough, leaving too much space between your knee and their neck, and not using enough hip pressure. Always ensure that your opponent’s arm is properly isolated and your legs are tight around their neck to avoid these errors.