⚠️ SAFETY: Arm Triangle Progression targets the Carotid arteries (compression via shoulder and arm). Risk: Loss of consciousness from carotid compression. Release immediately upon tap.
The Arm Triangle Progression represents a fundamental systematic approach to one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s highest-percentage blood chokes. Also known as Kata Gatame in Judo, this submission creates a triangular choking structure using the opponent’s own shoulder and arm against their carotid arteries. The progression typically begins from side control, moves through a transitional phase where proper head and arm isolation occurs, and culminates in either a tight side control finish or a mount completion. What makes this choke particularly effective is its use of the opponent’s own anatomy against them - their shoulder becomes part of the choking mechanism, meaning they cannot simply pull their arm free to escape. The systematic progression emphasized here follows a clear developmental path: establish dominant side control, isolate the head and arm, secure proper shoulder positioning, transition to the optimal finishing angle, and apply controlled pressure through precise positioning rather than muscular force. This methodical approach ensures consistent success across skill levels and body types, as the technique relies on structural leverage rather than attributes. Understanding this progression allows practitioners to recognize multiple entry opportunities and maintain the submission through various defensive responses.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries (compression via shoulder and arm) Starting Position: Side Control Success Rates: Beginner 40%, Intermediate 60%, Advanced 75%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness from carotid compression | High | Immediate with proper release, potential for confusion lasting 30-60 seconds |
| Neck strain from improper head positioning | Medium | 3-7 days with rest |
| Windpipe damage from incorrect pressure angle | CRITICAL | 2-4 weeks, potential long-term damage |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum to allow partner to recognize the threat and tap
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap
- Physical hand tap on partner or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any change in body tension or distress signal
Release Protocol:
- Immediately release head pressure and remove choking arm
- Shift weight off opponent’s torso
- Create space to allow opponent to turn their head and restore blood flow
- Monitor partner for alertness and ask if they’re okay
- Wait for clear verbal confirmation before continuing training
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply rapid or jerking pressure - always slow and controlled progression
- Never use competition speed or pressure in training rolls
- Always ensure partner has at least one arm free to tap
- Stop immediately if partner’s face shows color change or eyes flutter
- Never practice on partners with neck or spine injuries without instructor supervision
Key Principles
- Use opponent’s shoulder as part of the choking structure - their anatomy works against them
- Head isolation must occur before transitioning to finishing position
- Shoulder pressure drives into neck at precise angle toward far shoulder
- Hip positioning determines choking angle - too high or too low reduces effectiveness
- Squeeze toward centerline of opponent’s body, not upward toward ceiling
- Maintain connection throughout transition - any gap allows escape
- Finish with positional control first, submission second
Prerequisites
- Dominant side control with opponent flat on back
- Opponent’s near arm trapped across their own body or isolated high
- Your head positioned tight to opponent’s head on choking side
- Strong crossface control preventing opponent from turning into you
- Hip pressure maintaining opponent flat and preventing guard recovery
- Upper body weight distributed to control opponent’s shoulder and head
- Awareness of opponent’s far arm position to prevent frame creation
Execution Steps
- Establish dominant side control with crossface: Begin from tight side control with heavy crossface pressure. Your chest should be driving into opponent’s face, preventing them from turning toward you. Your hips are low and tight to their body. Your far arm can control their far hip or be posted for base. This foundational control prevents the initial defensive movements that would stop the choke setup. (Timing: Hold for 2-3 seconds to establish positional dominance) [Pressure: Firm]
- Thread choking arm deep under opponent’s head: Slide your crossface arm deep under opponent’s head, reaching across to the far side of their neck. Your shoulder should be tight to their face. The key detail is depth - your bicep should be on one side of their neck and their own shoulder on the other side, creating the triangular structure. This arm becomes the ‘blade’ of the choke, so maximum depth is critical. Your hand can grip your own opposite shoulder or reach to the mat on the far side. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to establish deep arm position) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Trap opponent’s near arm across their body: Use your free hand to control opponent’s near arm, either pushing it across their chest or using it to create the choking triangle. You want their arm to run across their own neck, adding to the compression. This arm positioning is what makes the choke ‘arm triangle’ - their shoulder becomes part of the choking mechanism. Some variations have the arm high near their face, others across the chest. Both work if the shoulder is properly aligned. (Timing: 1-2 seconds of active arm control) [Pressure: Firm]
- Begin transition to optimal finishing angle: Start moving your body toward the opponent’s head, changing the angle from perpendicular to more parallel with their body. This can be done by walking your feet toward their head or by switching to mount. The key is maintaining the head and arm connection throughout - if you create any gap, they escape. Your choking-side shoulder must stay glued to their face as you move. Many practitioners fail here by releasing pressure during the transition. (Timing: 3-4 seconds for smooth transition maintaining connection) [Pressure: Firm]
- Secure optimal finishing position: Establish your finishing position - either mount with your head tight to theirs, or side position with your body parallel to theirs and head to head. In mount, your hips should be high on their chest. In side finish, your body should be tight along their side with your head at their head level. This positioning allows your shoulder to drive at the correct angle into their neck. Check that their trapped arm is still across their body and your choking arm is still deep. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to settle into position) [Pressure: Firm]
- Connect hands and create choking structure: Bring your free hand behind their head to connect with your choking hand. Common grips include gable grip, palm-to-palm, or grabbing your own bicep. The connection doesn’t create the choke - it locks the structure. Your elbows should drive together, making the triangle tighter. This is the ‘setting’ of the submission where you create the structural frame that will restrict blood flow. (Timing: 1-2 seconds to establish grip connection) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Apply finishing pressure through shoulder drive and squeeze: Drive your shoulder into their neck while pulling your elbows together and squeezing toward the centerline of their body. The pressure should angle from the choking-side shoulder across toward their far shoulder. You should feel your shoulder and their shoulder creating a V-shape that compresses both carotid arteries. The squeeze is directed inward (squeezing your elbows together) not upward. Proper technique feels like moderate pressure to you but creates significant compression on the arteries. Apply slowly and progressively, watching for the tap. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive pressure, stop immediately on tap) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Opponent turns into you before arm is isolated (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Maintain heavy crossface pressure and use your chest to prevent the turn. If they succeed in turning, transition to taking the back or switch to a different submission like the kimura. Prevention through proper crossface is key - don’t allow the initial turn.
- Opponent frames with far arm to prevent you from closing distance (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Control the far arm before attempting the choke. You can trap it to their hip, push it over their head, or use it to set up different submissions. The arm triangle requires both arms to be neutralized - one trapped in the choke, one controlled or cleared.
- Opponent pulls their trapped arm free during transition (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Maintain constant shoulder pressure on their face throughout the transition. Their arm should be pinned between your shoulder and their face - if you create any gap, they escape. Consider switching to mount before attempting to finish rather than finishing from side, as mount provides better control during the squeeze.
- Opponent bridges or turns during the finish attempt (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Widen your base and lower your hips to prevent the bridge. If they start to turn, turn with them - you can finish the choke from the opposite side if you maintain the head and arm control. The structure of the choke should remain constant even if both of you rotate 180 degrees.
- Opponent tucks their chin to prevent choking pressure (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: The chin tuck is largely ineffective against a properly positioned arm triangle because the pressure is on the arteries, not the windpipe. Simply maintain your structure and squeeze - their chin cannot block arterial compression. If anything, the chin tuck can increase the effectiveness by creating more neck compression. Never try to muscle past the chin - just maintain position and squeeze the structure closed.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What creates the actual choking mechanism in the arm triangle - is it your arm squeezing, or the structural triangle formed by your arm and their shoulder? A: The choking mechanism is the structural triangle formed by your arm, their head, and their own shoulder. Your arm and their shoulder create a V-shape that compresses both carotid arteries. This is why the technique is called ‘arm triangle’ - it’s the triangular structure that chokes, not muscular squeezing force. Understanding this principle allows you to finish the choke with proper positioning rather than exhausting strength-based squeezing.
Q2: Why must you maintain shoulder pressure on opponent’s face throughout the transition from side control to mount or finishing position? A: Maintaining shoulder pressure prevents any gap from forming between your shoulder, their head, and their trapped arm. If even a small gap appears during the transition, the opponent can pull their arm free and escape completely. The shoulder pressure keeps their arm pinned against their own neck, maintaining the choking structure throughout your positional changes. This constant connection is the difference between a successful submission and a failed attempt that loses position.
Q3: What is the correct direction to squeeze when finishing the arm triangle - upward toward the ceiling or inward toward the centerline of opponent’s body? A: Squeeze inward toward the centerline of the opponent’s body, not upward toward the ceiling. Imagine pulling your elbows together in front of their neck while driving your shoulder across toward their far shoulder. Upward pressure lifts their head but doesn’t compress the arteries effectively. Inward pressure tightens the triangle structure and creates the arterial compression needed for the submission. This technical detail is what separates effective chokes from failed attempts.
Q4: What is the minimum time you should take to apply finishing pressure on an arm triangle in training, and why is this critical for safety? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You must apply finishing pressure slowly over a minimum of 3-5 seconds in training. This slow, progressive application gives your partner time to recognize they’re caught, decide to tap, and physically execute the tap before losing consciousness. Blood chokes can cause loss of consciousness in 5-10 seconds, so rapid application doesn’t leave safe tapping time. Additionally, slow application prevents windpipe damage from incorrect angles and allows you to feel when the technique is working. In training, the goal is achieving the position where you could finish, not racing to actually finish every time.
Q5: Before applying finishing pressure to complete the arm triangle, what critical safety check must you perform regarding your partner’s arms? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You must verify that at least one of your partner’s arms is completely free to tap on you or the mat. If both arms are trapped in your control or pinned under your body weight, your partner cannot signal submission, creating a dangerous situation. This check should be automatic and instinctive before applying any choking pressure. If both arms are trapped, you must adjust your position to free at least one arm before proceeding with the submission. This is a fundamental safety protocol that prevents injuries and promotes responsible training.
Q6: How can you tell if you’re applying pressure to the carotid arteries (correct) versus the windpipe (incorrect), and why does this matter for both effectiveness and safety? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Correct carotid artery pressure creates a relatively clean blood choke where opponent loses consciousness smoothly if they don’t tap, often with little discomfort until the very end. Incorrect windpipe pressure causes coughing, gasping for air, and significant discomfort while being less effective at finishing the submission. From a safety perspective, windpipe pressure can cause trachea damage and unnecessary suffering, while properly applied arterial pressure is safer when done slowly. The pressure angle should be toward the sides of the neck (where arteries run) not the front of the throat. If your partner is coughing or struggling to breathe, your angle is wrong and potentially dangerous - adjust immediately.
Q7: What should you do immediately after your partner taps to an arm triangle, and what should you watch for in the seconds after release? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately release head pressure and remove your choking arm upon the tap, then shift your weight off their torso to allow them to breathe and restore blood flow to the brain. Create space so they can turn their head freely. Watch for signs of alertness - they should be able to make eye contact and respond verbally within a few seconds. Some brief confusion or disorientation is normal if the choke was held slightly too long, but they should recover quickly. Ask clearly if they’re okay and wait for a verbal confirmation before continuing training. If they seem confused for more than 30-60 seconds, or show any signs of distress, stop training and seek medical evaluation. Never rush back into training after a successful choke - give both partners time to reset mentally and physically.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The arm triangle progression is a masterclass in systematic submission development. The beauty of this technique lies in its structural efficiency - you are using the opponent’s own shoulder as part of the choking mechanism, meaning they cannot simply pull their arm free to escape once the structure is properly established. The critical technical detail that separates successful from unsuccessful attempts is the depth of your initial arm placement under their head. Your bicep must be on one side of their neck and their shoulder on the other side, creating a true triangle. Half-depth arm placement creates half-pressure at best. The progression from side control to finishing position requires absolute maintenance of shoulder pressure on their face - any gap, even momentarily, allows the escape. From a safety perspective, this choke must be applied with progressive pressure over several seconds in training. Blood chokes work through arterial compression, and the pressure should build gradually. Watch your training partner’s face for color changes and be prepared to release immediately. The arm triangle teaches an essential lesson: structural control eliminates the need for excessive force. When positioned correctly, moderate pressure achieves complete submission.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the arm triangle is one of my highest-percentage submissions because it combines positional dominance with finishing power. When I secure side control or mount, I’m constantly looking for the head and arm isolation that signals arm triangle opportunity. The key competition detail is finishing from mount versus side control. Against elite opponents with strong defensive awareness, I almost always transition to mount before applying finishing pressure - the positional control is worth the extra second of transition time. The mount finish eliminates most escape routes and allows me to control their hips with my legs while finishing the choke. However, in training, I emphasize the distinction between competition speed and training speed. In competition, I might finish an arm triangle in 2-3 seconds once I have the position. In the training room, I apply the same technique over 5-7 seconds minimum, giving my partner every opportunity to tap safely. This isn’t softness - it’s intelligence. Injuring training partners means fewer quality training opportunities, which hurts your development more than any single submission helps it. The progression I favor is: establish dominant side control, isolate the head and arm with maximum depth, transition to high mount while maintaining shoulder pressure, connect my hands behind their head, then squeeze my elbows together while driving my shoulder across their neck. This systematic approach works at the highest levels of competition when executed with proper timing and pressure.
- Eddie Bravo: The arm triangle is fundamental in the 10th Planet system because it works incredibly well in no-gi where you don’t have collar grips to fall back on. From positions like the truck or twister side control, the arm triangle structure appears constantly - you just have to recognize it. One innovation I emphasize is using the arm triangle as a control position rather than always hunting the finish. If I get the head and arm structure locked from side control, I might hold that position for 30-60 seconds, draining my opponent’s energy and setting up other attacks. When they try to escape the arm triangle, they often give up their back or expose their arms for kimuras. It’s a hub position, not just a destination. From a teaching perspective, I’m extremely strict about safety protocols with this choke. At 10th Planet, we drill the ‘5-second rule’ - minimum 5 seconds from starting the squeeze to full pressure. No exceptions, even in competition training. We’ve had black belts get tapped by blue belts who held arm triangles too long, and we celebrate that because it means our safety culture is working. The blue belt trusted the technique and applied it slowly; the black belt recognized they were caught and tapped early rather than trying to tough it out. That’s the culture we want. The arm triangle also teaches a crucial lesson about using opponent’s anatomy against them - their own shoulder chokes them out. That principle extends to so many other techniques in our system. Master that concept and your whole game levels up.