Triangle vs arm triangle
The triangle chokes with your legs, usually from the bottom. The arm triangle chokes with your arms, usually from the top. Both trap one arm against the neck.
Guard: you are on your back with your legs between you and the other person. Mount: you sit on the other person's chest. Side control: you lie across their chest from the side.
TriangleFrom the bottom, your legs lock around their head and one arm.
Arm TriangleFrom the top, your arms lock around their head and one arm.
Side by side
| What to look at | Triangle | Arm triangle |
|---|---|---|
| What does the choking | Your legs, locked in a figure four | Your arms, with your shoulder pressing their arm into their neck |
| Where their arms are | One arm inside your legs, one arm outside | One arm pushed across their own neck |
| Best from | Closed guard and open guard, from the bottom | Mount and side control, from the top |
| When it appears | They push one arm in and leave the other arm out. | They push up on you with a straight arm. |
| Finish | Lock your legs, turn to an angle, pull their head down. | Lock your hands. Slide off mount to the side opposite your head, then squeeze. |
| Common mistake | Staying straight in front of them. Turn your body to an angle. | Squeezing from mount. Move off to the side to finish. |
| Other names | Sankaku jime (judo name) | Head and arm choke, kata gatame |
When to use which
- You are on your back and they leave one arm inside your guard: use the triangle.
- You are on top in mount and they push up with a straight arm: use the arm triangle.
- You are in mount and want to use your legs: the mounted triangle is a triangle from the top.
- Their posture is strong and you cannot pull their head down: break the posture first.
You are in closed guard. Your partner puts one hand on your belt and pulls the other arm back. One arm is in and one is out. You put your leg over their shoulder and lock the triangle.
You are on top in mount. Your partner pushes your chest with a straight arm. Which choke fits best?
In the library
Read the full pages: Triangle and Arm Triangle.
Train it on the Path
The Escaping armbars and triangles unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
Escaping armbars and triangles is part of the Blue belt, included in Rolla Plus. Start free with Foundations and the white belt.