Rear Triangle Top is an advanced back control variation where the top practitioner secures the opponent’s back while establishing a triangle configuration with their legs around the opponent’s body and one arm. This position combines the control elements of traditional back control with the limb-trapping mechanics of a triangle, creating a highly effective submission platform. The rear triangle creates a dilemma for the opponent - defending the choke exposes the trapped arm to attacks, while defending the arm allows progression to the rear naked choke or other back attacks. This position is particularly effective in no-gi grappling but can be equally devastating in the gi when properly executed. The rear triangle top position represents a sophisticated evolution of back control, offering superior control compared to standard seat belt positioning. By threading one leg under the opponent’s armpit and locking a triangle around their neck and trapped arm, the top practitioner creates multiple layers of control that significantly reduce the opponent’s defensive options. This position is often entered from standard back control when the opponent attempts to defend the rear naked choke by gripping their own hands together or when transitioning from turtle position. The configuration allows for seamless transitions to various submissions including the rear triangle choke itself, armbar variations, and traditional rear naked choke finishes. From a strategic perspective, the rear triangle top position exemplifies the principle of creating submission dilemmas - forcing the opponent to choose between equally bad defensive options.
Position Definition
- Top practitioner’s legs form a triangle configuration around opponent’s neck and one trapped arm, with one leg threaded under the armpit and across the back of the neck while the other leg locks over the ankle to complete the triangle, creating a secure figure-four lock that controls both head and arm simultaneously
- Top practitioner maintains chest-to-back connection with their torso pressed against opponent’s back, hips oriented toward the trapped arm side to maximize control and create the optimal angle for submissions while preventing opponent rotation away from the triangle
- Opponent is typically seated or on their side with one arm trapped inside the triangle while their body is compressed forward by the leg pressure across their neck and shoulder, limiting their ability to establish defensive frames or recover posture
- Top practitioner’s hands are free to attack the opponent’s free arm, establish grips for chokes, or post for base while the legs maintain primary control of the position, allowing simultaneous control and attack capabilities
- The triangle configuration creates constant pressure on the opponent’s carotid artery on the trapped arm side while controlling their posture and preventing them from turning into the top practitioner or creating escape angles
Prerequisites
- Established back control position with hooks or body triangle
- Opponent’s defensive hand fighting creates opportunity to trap one arm
- Sufficient hip mobility and leg dexterity to thread leg under opponent’s armpit
- Understanding of triangle mechanics and proper leg positioning
- Ability to maintain back control during the transition to triangle configuration
- Opponent positioned in seated or side-lying orientation allowing leg threading
Key Offensive 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
Available Attacks
Triangle Choke Back → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 35%
- Intermediate: 55%
- Advanced: 75%
Armbar from Back with Legs → Armbar Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 30%
- Intermediate: 50%
- Advanced: 70%
Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 40%
- Intermediate: 60%
- Advanced: 80%
Transition to Crucifix → Crucifix
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 45%
- Advanced: 65%
Bow and Arrow Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 20%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 60%
Kimura from Back → Kimura Control
Success Rates:
- Beginner: 25%
- Intermediate: 40%
- Advanced: 55%
Decision Making from This Position
If opponent tucks chin and defends choke primarily:
- Execute Armbar from Back with Legs → Armbar Control (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Kimura from Back → Kimura Control (Probability: 45%)
Else if opponent attempts to pull trapped arm free:
- Execute Tighten Triangle Lock → Rear Triangle Top (Probability: 70%)
- Execute Triangle Choke Back → Won by Submission (Probability: 60%)
Else if opponent turns into triangle attempting escape:
- Execute Extend Hips and Finish Triangle → Won by Submission (Probability: 55%)
- Execute Transition to Crucifix → Crucifix (Probability: 50%)
Else if opponent creates space by posting free arm:
- Execute Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission (Probability: 65%)
- Execute Attack Free Arm for Control → Gift Wrap (Probability: 50%)
Optimal Submission Paths
Direct Triangle Choke Path
Back Control → Rear Triangle Top → Triangle Choke Back → Won by Submission
Triangle to Armbar Path
Back Control → Rear Triangle Top → Armbar from Back with Legs → Won by Submission
Rear Naked Choke Alternative Path
Rear Triangle Top → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission
Crucifix Transition Path
Rear Triangle Top → Transition to Crucifix → Crucifix → Choke from Crucifix → Won by Submission
Bow and Arrow Setup Path
Rear Triangle Top → Bow and Arrow Choke → Won by Submission
Success Rates and Statistics
| Skill Level | Retention Rate | Advancement Probability | Submission Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 45% | 35% | 40% |
| Intermediate | 65% | 55% | 60% |
| Advanced | 85% | 75% | 80% |
Average Time in Position: 45-90 seconds before submission or escape attempt
Expert Analysis
John Danaher
The rear triangle represents a sophisticated evolution in back attack methodology, combining the leg control mechanics of the triangle with the positional dominance of back control. The critical technical element that separates effective rear triangle application from ineffective attempts is the angle of the choking leg - it must thread deeply under the armpit and emerge behind the neck, not in front. This creates what I call a ‘posterior triangle configuration’ which applies pressure to the back and side of the neck rather than the front, making chin-tucking defenses largely ineffective. The position’s true power lies in its ability to create submission dilemmas - when the opponent defends the choke by addressing the trapped arm, they expose the neck to rear naked choke attacks; when they defend the neck, they expose the trapped arm to armbars and shoulder locks. This systematic approach to creating and exploiting dilemmas is the hallmark of advanced back attack methodology. The biomechanical advantage of using the legs for primary control cannot be overstated - your legs are far stronger than your arms and can maintain compression indefinitely while your hands remain free to attack secondary targets. This represents a fundamental principle in efficient grappling: use your strongest tools for control and reserve your weaker tools for manipulation and attack.
Gordon Ryan
I use the rear triangle extensively in competition because it’s one of the highest-percentage back control variations when you’re facing elite defensive grapplers who are excellent at defending the standard rear naked choke. The key to success with this position in high-level competition is the entry - you need to establish the triangle during a defensive reaction, typically when they’re hand-fighting and trying to prevent your choking hand from going under their chin. That’s when their arm is most exposed for the triangle trap. Once I have the rear triangle locked, I never commit to one submission - I’m constantly cycling between the triangle choke itself, the armbar on the trapped arm, and coming back to the rear naked choke. This creates massive mental and physical fatigue in the opponent because they’re defending multiple threats simultaneously. In my matches, the rear triangle has about a 70% finish rate within 90 seconds because opponents simply can’t maintain adequate defenses against all the submission options. The psychological aspect is significant too - when you lock up a tight rear triangle, you can feel the opponent’s energy change as they realize they’re in serious trouble. That mental shift often leads to mistakes that open up the finishing opportunities.
Eddie Bravo
The rear triangle is one of those positions that perfectly exemplifies the 10th Planet philosophy of creating inescapable submission traps through unconventional positioning. We call this the ‘Rear Triangle Prison’ because once it’s locked in tight, there’s really no good escape - every defensive movement the opponent makes opens up a different submission. What makes this position especially effective in no-gi is that without the gi grips to defend with, opponents are forced to rely purely on their own body positioning, which we control completely with the triangle configuration. I teach my students to enter the rear triangle whenever they feel the opponent starting to successfully defend the traditional back attacks - it’s like shifting gears into a submission platform that most people haven’t developed comprehensive defenses for. The beauty of it is that you can hold this position almost indefinitely while you work your submissions, and unlike some other back control variations, you’re not burning your arms out trying to finish chokes - your legs are doing all the control work while your hands are free to attack. From the rear triangle, we also have some unique 10th Planet variations like transitioning to the truck position or setting up calf slicers if they try to roll through the escape. The flexibility work we emphasize in our system directly translates to being able to get your leg deep under their armpit for that perfect choking angle.