BJJ Graph

Rear Triangle

Dec 09, 20258 min read

The Rear Triangle is an advanced back control variation that combines traditional back dominance with triangle choke mechanics. By threading one leg under the opponent’s armpit and locking a triangle configuration around their neck and trapped arm, the top practitioner creates a hybrid control system that offers superior structural control compared to standard back mount. This position eliminates many standard defensive options while creating direct pathways to multiple high-percentage submissions including the rear triangle choke, armbar variations, and rear naked choke.

From the bottom perspective, Rear Triangle Bottom represents one of the most compromised defensive positions in BJJ. The defender faces simultaneous threats from both the triangle choking mechanism and the positional control of back mount, with one arm trapped inside the triangle structure severely limiting defensive options. The position creates extreme pressure on the carotid arteries while restricting mobility and breathing, demanding immediate defensive action and systematic escape sequences to survive.

The strategic significance of the rear triangle lies in its ability to create submission dilemmas where defensive choices against one threat inevitably expose the opponent to alternative attacks. The position serves as both a control platform and a submission position, exemplifying position-before-submission philosophy while maintaining constant offensive pressure. Mastery of both perspectives—the systematic attack sequences from top and the survival-focused escape mechanics from bottom—is essential for advanced practitioners competing at blue belt level and above.

Key Principles

  • Triangle leg must cross behind the neck, not in front, to create proper posterior choking angle

  • Maintain chest-to-back connection throughout position to prevent opponent rotation and escape

  • Control trapped arm side to eliminate defensive frames and maximize choking pressure

  • Create submission dilemmas by cycling between triangle choke, armbar, and rear naked choke

  • Use legs for primary control while keeping hands free for secondary attacks and adjustments

  • Angle hips toward trapped arm to optimize carotid pressure and finishing mechanics

  • From bottom, prioritize arm extraction before attempting to remove head from triangle structure

Top vs Bottom

 BottomTop
Position TypeDefensiveOffensive/Controlling
Risk LevelHighLow
Energy CostHighMedium
TimeShortMedium to Long

Key Difference: Triangle legs free hands for attacks

Playing as Bottom

→ Full Bottom Guide

Key Principles

  • Immediately address posture and create space between head and choking leg to relieve carotid pressure and buy time

  • Focus on extracting the trapped arm from inside the triangle as the primary escape pathway before addressing other threats

  • Maintain chin protection by tucking chin to chest and turning face toward the non-choking leg side to reduce choke effectiveness

  • Control opponent’s choking leg ankle or knee to prevent them from tightening the triangle and to create leverage for escape attempts

  • Stay calm and manage breathing despite restricted airway, avoiding panic that accelerates oxygen depletion and poor decision-making

  • Recognize submission sequences (triangle to armbar, triangle to back take) and defend transitions preemptively rather than reactively

  • Generate rotation and angle changes to disrupt the triangle’s structure rather than attempting pure strength-based escapes

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Attempting to pull the head out first before addressing the trapped arm inside the triangle

    • Consequence: Opponent tightens triangle and angles hips to finish the choke more effectively, accelerating loss of consciousness
    • ✅ Correction: Focus all initial escape efforts on extracting the trapped arm from inside the triangle before attempting to remove the head

  • ❌ Using pure strength to fight the triangle without creating angles or leverage points

    • Consequence: Rapid energy depletion while the opponent maintains control with minimal effort, leading to exhaustion and inevitable submission
    • ✅ Correction: Utilize strategic movements including rotation, hip movement, and grip fighting to create mechanical advantages rather than relying on muscular force

  • ❌ Failing to protect the chin and turning the face toward the choking leg

    • Consequence: Significantly increased choke effectiveness as the carotid arteries become more exposed to compression, shortening time to unconsciousness
    • ✅ Correction: Immediately tuck chin to chest and turn face toward the non-choking leg to create a defensive structure that buys time for escape attempts

  • ❌ Panicking and making erratic movements that assist the opponent’s control and finishing mechanics

    • Consequence: Uncontrolled movements provide opportunities for opponent to adjust position, tighten the choke, or transition to alternative submissions
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain mental composure, breathe strategically through the restricted airway, and execute deliberate escape sequences methodically

  • ❌ Ignoring the opponent’s potential transitions to armbar or other submissions while focused solely on the triangle

    • Consequence: Getting caught in secondary submissions like armbars when the opponent transitions from the triangle during escape attempts
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain awareness of the entire submission chain including triangle-to-armbar transitions and defend multiple threats simultaneously

  • ❌ Failing to control the opponent’s choking leg ankle or knee during escape attempts

    • Consequence: Opponent freely adjusts leg position to optimize choke angle and pressure, preventing effective escape execution
    • ✅ Correction: Establish grip control on the choking leg’s ankle or behind the knee to limit opponent’s adjustments and create escape leverage

  • ❌ Attempting to stand up or create large positional changes without first addressing the triangle structure

    • Consequence: Opponent rides the movement easily while maintaining or tightening the triangle, often transitioning to more dominant variations
    • ✅ Correction: Dismantle the triangle structure first through arm extraction and space creation before attempting major positional escapes

Playing as Top

→ Full Top Guide

Key Principles

  • Thread the choking leg deep under the opponent’s armpit to create proper angle across the back of their neck rather than the front

  • Lock the triangle tight by pulling the locking ankle into the crook of the knee while squeezing knees together to compress the opponent’s neck and trapped arm

  • Maintain chest pressure against opponent’s back throughout the position to prevent them from turning into you or creating space

  • Control opponent’s free arm with your hands to prevent defensive gripping and create additional submission opportunities

  • Angle your hips toward the trapped arm side to increase pressure on the carotid artery and create better finishing mechanics for the choke

  • Use your legs to break opponent’s posture forward, bringing their chin to their chest to tighten the choke and reduce defensive options

  • Transition fluidly between submission threats - rear triangle choke, armbar on trapped arm, and rear naked choke - to overwhelm opponent’s defenses

Primary Techniques

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ Threading leg in front of opponent’s neck instead of behind, creating a front triangle configuration

    • Consequence: Opponent can easily defend by tucking chin and the choke pressure is significantly reduced
    • ✅ Correction: Thread the leg deep under the armpit so it emerges behind the opponent’s neck, creating proper back triangle mechanics

  • ❌ Locking the triangle too loosely without proper compression of knees together

    • Consequence: Opponent can create space, potentially pull trapped arm free, or escape the position entirely
    • ✅ Correction: Pull the locking ankle tightly into the crook of the knee and actively squeeze knees together to eliminate all space

  • ❌ Losing chest-to-back connection by sitting up too far or leaning away from opponent

    • Consequence: Opponent can turn into you, potentially escaping to guard or reversing the position
    • ✅ Correction: Maintain constant chest pressure against opponent’s back with your weight committed forward onto them

  • ❌ Failing to control opponent’s free arm, allowing them to establish defensive grips

    • Consequence: Opponent can grab their own leg to prevent triangle lock or defend against choke finishing attempts
    • ✅ Correction: Use your hands to control the free arm by wrist control, overhook, or isolating it away from defensive positions

  • ❌ Not angling hips sufficiently toward trapped arm side

    • Consequence: Reduced pressure on the carotid artery and less effective choke mechanics
    • ✅ Correction: Actively angle your hips and shoulders toward the trapped arm to create optimal cutting angle across the neck

  • ❌ Abandoning position too quickly when opponent defends initial choke attempt

    • Consequence: Missing opportunities to attack multiple submissions and cycle through finishing options
    • ✅ Correction: Systematically cycle between rear triangle choke, armbar on trapped arm, and rear naked choke to break down defenses

  • Back Control - Parent position from which rear triangle is typically entered

  • Body Triangle - Alternative leg configuration for back control with different mechanics

  • Triangle Control - Similar triangle mechanics applied from different angle and entry

  • Mounted Triangle - Triangle variation from mount using similar leg configuration

  • Crucifix - Common transition target when opponent defends triangle by turning in

  • Seat Belt Control Back - Traditional back control that precedes rear triangle entry

  • Gift Wrap - Alternative arm trap control from back that can transition to rear triangle

  • Armbar Control - Submission control position when transitioning from rear triangle

  • Omoplata Control - Alternative shoulder attack from rear triangle configuration

  • Turtle - Common escape target position for defender attempting to recover