Mounted Triangle Top represents one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most potent offensive positions, seamlessly blending the positional dominance of mount with the submission threat of triangle mechanics. This hybrid attacking position allows the top practitioner to maintain point advantage while pursuing high-percentage submissions, creating a strategic dilemma for the defensive player.
The position typically develops from high mount, S mount, or standard mount when the top player successfully isolates one of the opponent’s arms and threads their leg over the shoulder and under the neck. Unlike traditional triangles from guard where the attacker is on bottom, the mounted variation leverages gravity and superior positioning to dramatically increase finishing probability while maintaining offensive control.
From a strategic perspective, mounted triangle top occupies a unique space in the attacking hierarchy. It sacrifices some mount stability for immediate submission access - creating a calculated risk-reward scenario. The top player gains immediate triangle, armbar, and back take opportunities, but must manage the inherent positional instability created by the leg configuration.
Success in mounted triangle requires precise technical execution across multiple dimensions: maintaining sufficient mount pressure to prevent explosive escapes, angling the triangle structure for optimal choking mechanics, reading defensive reactions to transition between submissions, and managing energy expenditure while maintaining offensive pressure. Advanced practitioners use mounted triangle as a hub position, flowing between triangle finish, mounted armbar, gift wrap control, and back take based on defensive reactions.
The mounted triangle exemplifies modern BJJ’s evolution toward dynamic, submission-oriented grappling that maintains strategic positional awareness. It rewards practitioners who can balance aggression with control, technical precision with adaptability, and submission hunting with positional maintenance.
Position Definition
- Top player maintains one leg threaded over opponent’s shoulder and under neck creating triangle structure, with other leg posted or configured to prevent escape while maintaining superior positioning through partial mount control
- One of opponent’s arms is trapped inside the triangle between top player’s legs, creating both triangle pressure and armbar vulnerability, while opponent’s free arm attempts defensive framing
- Top player’s hips remain elevated and mobile to adjust triangle angle and pressure while distributing sufficient weight to prevent explosive bridge escapes or reversal attempts from bottom player
Prerequisites
- Successfully achieved mount position or high mount control
- Isolated opponent’s arm through mount attacks or control breaking
- Created opening to thread leg over shoulder into triangle configuration
Key Offensive Principles
- Balance between triangle pressure and mount retention determines position stability
- Bottom leg positioning controls opponent’s ability to escape and your submission finishing power
- Constant angle adjustment responds to defensive movements and tightens submission mechanics
- Maintain readiness to transition - armbar, back take, remount based on defensive reactions
- Head control and posture breaking prevent opponent’s defensive frame creation
- Hip mobility allows rapid switching between triangle finish, armbar, and position retention
- Submission commitment must be timed - premature finishing attempts create escape opportunities
Available Attacks
Triangle Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Armbar Finish → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 75%
Switch to Triangle → Triangle Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Back Take Generic → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 65%
Transition to Mount → High Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 45%
- Intermediate: 65%
- Advanced: 80%
Gift Wrap → Gift Wrap
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Kimura to Back Take → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 35%
- Advanced: 50%
S Mount Transition → S Mount
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Triangle to Armbar → Armbar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 70%
Triangle to Back → Back Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 60%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent keeps trapped arm bent and protects neck with chin tuck:
- Execute Armbar Finish → Won by Submission (Probability: 60%)
- Execute Triangle to Armbar → Armbar Control (Probability: 55%)
If opponent extends trapped arm or loosens defensive posture:
- Execute Triangle Choke → Won by Submission (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Switch to Triangle → Triangle Control (Probability: 65%)
If opponent turns to side to escape triangle pressure:
- Execute Back Take Generic → Back Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Triangle to Back → Back Control (Probability: 60%)
If opponent bridges explosively or creates significant space:
- Execute Transition to Mount → High Mount (Probability: 75%)
- Execute S Mount Transition → S Mount (Probability: 65%)
If opponent extends free arm for defensive frames:
- Execute Gift Wrap → Gift Wrap (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Kimura to Back Take → Back Control (Probability: 45%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Triangle Finish from Mount
High Mount → Arm Isolation → Mounted Triangle Top → Angle Adjustment → Triangle Choke → Won by Submission
Triangle to Armbar Sequence
Mounted Triangle Top → Opponent Defends Neck → Triangle to Armbar → Armbar Control → Armbar Finish → Won by Submission
Triangle to Back Attack
Mounted Triangle Top → Opponent Turns to Escape → Triangle to Back → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Mount Submission Chain
High Mount → Mounted Triangle Top → S Mount Transition → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 55% | 50% | 45% |
| Intermediate | 70% | 65% | 65% |
| Advanced | 85% | 80% | 80% |
Average Time in Position: 45-120 seconds to submission or position change
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The mounted triangle represents one of the most sophisticated examples of combining positional control with submission mechanics in our grappling arsenal. From a biomechanical perspective, the position leverages gravitational advantage inherent in mount while creating the structural compression of triangle mechanics - the defender faces both choking pressure and positional disadvantage simultaneously. However, this combination demands precise technical execution. The critical element most practitioners overlook is the bottom leg positioning - this leg determines both your base stability against explosive escapes and your ability to generate finishing pressure. It must remain actively engaged, posted low on the opponent’s hip or torso, never passive or floating high on their back. Your success hinges on constant angle adjustment - the mounted triangle is not a static position but a dynamic pressure system that must respond to defensive movements. When the opponent protects their neck, immediately recognize the armbar opportunity. When they turn to escape, recognize the back take. The mounted triangle practitioner who flows between these options based on defensive reactions will achieve the highest finishing percentage.
Gordon Ryan
Mounted triangle is one of my absolute favorite attacking positions because you’re getting mount points while hunting the finish - that’s a huge strategic advantage in competition. The key thing people mess up is they go to mounted triangle and just try to squeeze without thinking about the whole system. What I focus on is using the triangle as a control position first, submission second. Once I get my leg over the shoulder, I’m immediately thinking about three things: can I finish the triangle, can I get the arm for the armbar, or can I take the back if he turns. In high-level competition, you rarely get the triangle finish alone because good guys defend the neck well - that’s when the armbar becomes your primary weapon. The other huge thing is your bottom leg position - keep it low and hooked, don’t let it drift up high or you’ll get dumped with a bridge. I’ve finished a ton of matches from mounted triangle, but even more importantly, I’ve used it as a control hub to flow into other finishes. It’s not just one submission, it’s a whole attacking system from mount.
Eddie Bravo
Mounted triangle is super high-level and it fits perfectly into our 10th Planet flow game because it’s all about being dynamic and following the reactions. In no-gi especially, mounted triangle is money because you don’t have collar grips to worry about - it’s pure position and mechanics. The thing we emphasize is that you can’t be static in mounted triangle. Your opponent is going to move, they’re going to defend, they’re going to try to escape - you need to be ready to flow with all of that. If they defend the triangle, boom, you’re on the armbar. If they turn, boom, you’re taking the back. We drill the hell out of these transitions because that’s where mounted triangle becomes really dangerous - not just as a single submission but as a hub where you’re controlling everything. Also, don’t sleep on using mounted triangle to set up gift wrap control or even transition back to high mount if you need to secure position. The key is staying relaxed, staying mobile with your hips, and reading what your opponent gives you. Mounted triangle is one of those positions that separates advanced grapplers from beginners - it requires flow, it requires timing, and it requires understanding the whole system.