BJJ Graph

Triangle Control

Dec 09, 20259 min read

Triangle Control represents one of the most powerful submission positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where the practitioner has locked their legs around the opponent’s neck and one arm, creating an imminent choking threat while simultaneously establishing a control platform for multiple submission chains. This position exemplifies the fundamental principle of using the body’s strongest muscles—the legs and hips—against the opponent’s most vulnerable structure—the neck. The triangle configuration creates a mechanical advantage where the practitioner compresses the carotid arteries while trapping one of the opponent’s arms across their own neck, amplifying the choking pressure through their own trapped limb.

From a strategic perspective, triangle control functions as both a high-percentage submission and a dynamic hub position for launching multiple attacks. The position offers exceptional control over the opponent’s upper body while simultaneously threatening the choke, armbar transitions, omoplata variations, and back takes. Advanced practitioners understand that the triangle itself is often a forcing mechanism—creating defensive reactions that open pathways to other submissions. The position’s power lies in its ability to control distance, limit the opponent’s defensive options, and create a submission chain that becomes increasingly difficult to escape as time progresses.

The biomechanics of triangle control favor the attacking practitioner significantly, as the leg muscles are substantially stronger than the neck and arm muscles the opponent must use to defend. Proper angle adjustment and hip positioning are critical—the practitioner must angle their body approximately 30-45 degrees relative to the opponent’s centerline to maximize choking pressure while minimizing the opponent’s ability to posture or stack. This position is most commonly reached from closed guard, spider guard, or various open guard positions when the opponent’s posture is broken and one arm is isolated. Understanding triangle control from both offensive and defensive perspectives is essential for all practitioners, as it remains one of the most frequently attempted submissions in both training and competition environments across all skill levels and weight classes.

Key Principles

  • Maintain tight triangle lock with ankles crossed behind opponent’s neck, squeezing knees together to compress carotid arteries while using full leg engagement rather than just ankle pressure

  • Create and maintain perpendicular angle (30-45 degrees off centerline) with choking leg’s knee directed toward trapped shoulder to optimize arterial compression geometry

  • Pull opponent’s head down and forward constantly using grips on back of head, neck, or sleeve to prevent posture recovery and maintain choking pressure throughout the sequence

  • Control the trapped arm by pulling it across opponent’s neck to amplify choking pressure, using the opponent’s own limb as a lever that contributes to the submission mechanics

  • Elevate hips actively off the ground using shoulder and upper back as base point, creating downward pressure vector rather than relying on static horizontal squeeze alone

Top vs Bottom

VariantBottom RiskTop RiskBottom EnergyTop EnergyKey Difference
Triangle ControlMediumHighMediumHighHigh-reward submission trading stability
Rear TriangleHighLowHighMediumTriangle legs free hands for attacks

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain tight triangle lock with ankles crossed behind opponent’s neck, squeezing knees together to compress carotid arteries

  • Keep hips angled 30-45 degrees off centerline with choking leg’s knee directed toward trapped shoulder

  • Pull opponent’s head down and forward constantly to prevent posture recovery and maintain choking pressure

  • Control the angle by adjusting hip position—too straight reduces choking pressure, proper angle maximizes arterial compression

  • Keep elbows tight to body and maintain grips to control opponent’s posture and prevent explosive escape attempts

  • Use the trapped arm as a lever by pulling it across opponent’s neck to amplify choking pressure

  • Maintain active leg pressure throughout—the submission comes from sustained compression, not explosive squeezing

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Crossing legs too low on opponent’s back instead of high behind the neck

    • Consequence: Reduces choking pressure and allows opponent to posture up and escape
    • ✅ Correction: Lock triangle as high as possible behind opponent’s neck, pulling their head down while crossing ankles

  • ❌ Maintaining body position parallel to opponent instead of angling off

    • Consequence: Creates weak choking angle that opponent can defend indefinitely through posture
    • ✅ Correction: Angle hips 30-45 degrees with choking leg’s knee pointing toward trapped shoulder

  • ❌ Releasing head control to adjust position or lock triangle

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to posture up, relieve pressure, and begin escape sequence
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant head control with grips throughout triangle adjustment and finishing sequence

  • ❌ Explosive squeezing instead of sustained compression

    • Consequence: Fatigues leg muscles quickly without achieving submission, allowing opponent to wait out the pressure
    • ✅ Correction: Apply steady, constant pressure with legs while pulling head down—submission comes from sustained arterial compression

  • ❌ Failing to pull trapped arm across opponent’s neck

    • Consequence: Reduces choking effectiveness by 50% as opponent’s own arm isn’t contributing to the compression
    • ✅ Correction: Grip opponent’s wrist or sleeve and pull trapped arm diagonally across their neck to amplify pressure

  • ❌ Keeping hips flat on ground instead of elevating

    • Consequence: Reduces choking angle and allows opponent to create defensive space with their hips
    • ✅ Correction: Elevate hips off ground, using shoulder and upper back as base point while extending legs for maximum compression

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Maintain composure and avoid panic—explosive, uncontrolled movements waste energy and often worsen the position

  • Protect the neck immediately by creating space between chin and chest, preventing full extension of the choke

  • Keep the trapped arm’s elbow tight to the body to prevent opponent from isolating it for additional control or armbar transitions

  • Address posture systematically by working to straighten the spine and create vertical alignment rather than remaining curled forward

  • Control opponent’s hips to prevent them from achieving optimal angle and extension for maximum choking pressure

  • Use proper hand positioning on opponent’s leg or hip to create frames and leverage points for escape sequences

  • Understand that time is critical—the longer you remain in the position, the more opportunity the opponent has to tighten and finish

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Pulling the trapped arm out explosively without addressing posture and hip position first

    • Consequence: Creates more space for opponent to tighten the triangle, increases choking pressure, and often leads to immediate tap or armbar transition
    • ✅ Correction: Focus first on posture recovery and hip control before attempting to extract the trapped arm—address the fundamental mechanics of the position before working on specific escape details

  • ❌ Pushing on opponent’s hips or legs without maintaining strong posture and base

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to extend hips more effectively, increases choke pressure, and makes the defender more vulnerable to sweeps or position changes
    • ✅ Correction: Establish solid posture with spine alignment before applying pressure to opponent’s hips—combine posture and frames rather than relying on upper body strength alone

  • ❌ Turning away from the choke or trying to spin out without proper setup

    • Consequence: Exposes the neck more fully, tightens the choke, and can lead to back takes or other dominant positions for the opponent
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain facing toward opponent’s hips and work escape sequences systematically—any rotation should be part of a complete escape technique, not a panic reaction

  • ❌ Holding breath or creating tension in neck and shoulders due to panic

    • Consequence: Accelerates fatigue, reduces problem-solving ability, and makes the choke feel tighter than it may actually be, leading to premature tapping
    • ✅ Correction: Practice controlled breathing even under pressure, relax shoulders while maintaining active defensive frames, and trust in systematic escape progressions rather than strength

  • ❌ Allowing opponent to control the trapped arm and isolate it across their body

    • Consequence: Opens up easy armbar transitions, removes important posting base, and significantly reduces escape options available to the defender
    • ✅ Correction: Keep trapped arm’s elbow tight to own ribcage, maintain connection between arm and torso, and prevent opponent from creating separation between your arm and body

  • ❌ Failing to address the angle of opponent’s hips and body position

    • Consequence: Allows opponent to achieve optimal finishing angle, maximizes choking pressure, and makes escapes much more difficult even with good technique
    • ✅ Correction: Actively work to square up opponent’s hips and prevent them from achieving perpendicular angle—control their hip position as primary defensive priority

  • ❌ Giving up on the escape too early and tapping before exhausting all defensive options

    • Consequence: Misses learning opportunities, reinforces defeatist mindset, and prevents development of tough defense necessary for high-level competition
    • ✅ Correction: Understand the difference between a training tap (preventing injury) and competitive survival—practice staying calm under pressure and working through complete escape sequences

  • Closed Guard - Most common entry position for establishing triangle control from bottom

  • Spider Guard - Alternative entry position using sleeve control to set up triangle configuration

  • Armbar Control - Primary transition target when opponent defends triangle by posturing

  • Omoplata Control - Secondary transition when opponent stacks or drives forward into triangle

  • Back Control - Transition option when opponent turns away or extracts trapped arm

  • Mounted Triangle - Variation when opponent stands or elevates while in triangle configuration