⚠️ SAFETY: Triangle from Back targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to loss of consciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Triangle from Back is an advanced blood choke that represents a sophisticated evolution of traditional back control submissions. This technique combines the positional dominance of back control with the mechanical efficiency of the triangle choke, creating a submission that attacks the carotid arteries while maintaining superior position. Unlike the standard rear naked choke, the triangle from back uses leg configuration to create the choking pressure, freeing the hands for positional control and defense nullification.
This submission is particularly effective when the opponent successfully defends the traditional rear naked choke by protecting their neck with their hands or maintaining proper chin position. By transitioning to the triangle configuration, you can bypass many common rear naked choke defenses while simultaneously threatening to return to traditional back attacks. The technique requires exceptional flexibility, timing, and positional awareness, making it a hallmark of advanced no-gi grappling.
The triangle from back also serves as a critical component of modern back attack systems, creating dilemmas where defending one submission opens pathways to others. When properly integrated into a systematic approach to back control, this submission significantly increases your finishing rate from the most dominant position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and jugular veins Starting Position: Back Control Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Carotid artery compression leading to loss of consciousness | CRITICAL | Immediate upon release, but repeated unconsciousness can cause cumulative damage |
| Neck strain from improper leg positioning | Medium | 3-7 days with rest |
| Trachea compression if triangle is misaligned | High | 7-14 days, medical evaluation required |
Application Speed: EXTREMELY SLOW - 5-7 seconds minimum progression from setup to full pressure
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap (any verbal signal)
- Physical hand tap on your leg or body
- Physical foot tap on mat
- Any rapid repeated motion indicating distress
- Loss of resistance or going limp (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
Release Protocol:
- Immediately open triangle legs and separate knees
- Release all upper body grips and back control
- Roll opponent to recovery position (side-lying)
- Monitor breathing and consciousness for 30-60 seconds
- If partner is unconscious, elevate legs and call for medical assistance
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply full pressure during initial learning phases
- Never use competition speed or intensity in training
- Always ensure partner has clear tap access with both hands
- Never hold submission after tap signal
- Never practice on partners with known neck or cardiovascular issues without medical clearance
Key Principles
- Maintain back control throughout the transition - never sacrifice positional dominance for submission attempt
- Angle your body perpendicular to opponent’s spine to create proper triangle geometry
- Lock triangle on same side as your choking arm to maximize compression
- Use your free hand to control opponent’s arm and prevent defensive framing
- Apply pressure progressively through hip extension and leg squeeze, never explosive jerking motions
- Keep your own posture compact to prevent opponent from rolling or escaping back control
- Coordinate upper body control with lower body finishing mechanics for complete submission system
Prerequisites
- Established back control with hooks in or body triangle already secured
- Opponent defending rear naked choke effectively (chin down, hands protecting neck)
- Sufficient flexibility to bring your leg over opponent’s shoulder while maintaining back control
- Control of at least one of opponent’s arms to prevent defensive frames
- Ability to create perpendicular angle without losing back position
- Understanding of which side triangle to apply based on opponent’s arm position
Execution Steps
- Secure traditional back control foundation: Begin from standard back control with both hooks in or body triangle secured. Establish seat belt grip (one arm over shoulder, one under armpit) and ensure your chest is tight to opponent’s back. Your goal is complete positional dominance before attempting the triangle transition. (Timing: Maintain for 5-10 seconds minimum) [Pressure: Firm]
- Bait and assess rear naked choke defense: Attempt a traditional rear naked choke setup by bringing your choking arm across opponent’s throat. Observe their defensive reaction - most will tuck their chin hard and grab your choking arm with both hands. This defensive commitment creates the opening for triangle transition. (Timing: 3-5 seconds to assess defense pattern) [Pressure: Light]
- Trap defensive arm on choking side: With your non-choking hand, swim over the top and grab opponent’s wrist or forearm on the same side as your choking arm. Pull this arm tightly across their body, isolating it. This trapped arm will become part of the triangle choke structure. (Timing: 2-3 seconds) [Pressure: Firm]
- Create perpendicular angle and remove bottom hook: Slide your body toward the side where you’ve trapped the arm, creating a 90-degree angle to opponent’s spine. Remove your bottom hook on the same side, preparing to bring your leg over their shoulder. Maintain top hook and upper body control throughout this transition. (Timing: 2-4 seconds - smooth, controlled movement) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Thread leg over shoulder into triangle position: Bring your bottom leg over opponent’s shoulder on the side where you’ve trapped their arm. Your calf should rest across their throat while your foot reaches toward your opposite hip. Maintain perpendicular angle - your body should form a T-shape with theirs. (Timing: 3-5 seconds - flexibility dependent) [Pressure: Light]
- Lock triangle and establish figure-four configuration: Bring your opposite leg over your ankle to lock the triangle. Your locked legs should create a figure-four around opponent’s neck and their own trapped arm. Ensure the bony part of your shin is across their carotid artery on the non-trapped side. (Timing: 2-3 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Angle optimization and squeeze initiation: Pull opponent’s head down with your choking arm while simultaneously pulling your knees together and extending your hips. The squeeze should come from your entire leg structure, not just calf pressure. Angle your body to increase the perpendicular angle if needed. (Timing: 5-7 seconds progressive pressure increase) [Pressure: Firm]
- Maintain control and secure tap or transition: Keep your upper body control throughout the finish. If opponent defends successfully by posturing or hand fighting, be prepared to transition back to rear naked choke or other back attacks. Never fully commit to triangle if it sacrifices back control completely. (Timing: Hold until tap or defensive escape requires transition) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Grabbing your ankle to prevent triangle lock completion (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Use your free hand to break their grip while simultaneously using your locking leg to kick through their grip. Alternatively, threaten armbar on the grabbing arm to force them to release.
- Turning into you to alleviate triangle pressure and escape back control (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Use your top hook and upper body control to prevent rotation. If they commit to turning, transition to mounted triangle or traditional front triangle position.
- Posturing up and creating space between their neck and your shin (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Pull their head down forcefully with your choking arm while extending your hips. Use your free hand to control their far shoulder and prevent posturing.
- Hand fighting to create frames and alleviate pressure (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Control their free arm with your non-choking hand. If they use both hands to defend, their neck becomes exposed - immediately transition back to rear naked choke. The triangle creates a dilemma where defending it opens other attacks.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: Why is it critical to trap the opponent’s arm on the same side as your choking leg during triangle from back setup? A: The trapped arm becomes part of the triangle structure and is essential for proper choke geometry. Trapping the arm on the same side ensures that when you bring your leg over that shoulder, their own arm helps compress their carotid artery. Crossing over the opposite shoulder would place their arm outside the triangle, destroying the choking mechanism and allowing easy defense.
Q2: What is the minimum time you should take to progress from initial triangle lock to full choking pressure in training? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Minimum 5-7 seconds of progressive, gradual pressure increase. This slow application gives your training partner ample time to recognize the choke developing, assess their defensive options, and tap before losing consciousness. Explosive application risks injury and doesn’t allow proper tap opportunity.
Q3: How should your body be positioned relative to your opponent’s spine to create effective triangle geometry from back control? A: Your torso should be perpendicular to opponent’s spine, forming a T-shape or L-shape. This angle is created by sliding your body to the side toward the trapped arm. The perpendicular angle ensures your shin crosses their carotid artery properly and prevents them from posturing out of the choke.
Q4: What should you do immediately if your opponent goes limp during a triangle from back without tapping? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately open the triangle legs completely, release all upper body grips, and roll opponent to recovery position (side-lying). Elevate their legs and monitor breathing and consciousness. Call for medical assistance if they don’t regain consciousness within 10-15 seconds. Never delay release when partner goes limp - this indicates possible loss of consciousness.
Q5: What is the primary positional risk when attempting triangle from back, and how do you mitigate it? A: The primary risk is losing back control entirely during the transition. Mitigate by maintaining at least one hook throughout the transition, keeping upper body control with seat belt or choking arm grip, and being willing to abandon the triangle attempt if back control becomes compromised. Position should never be fully sacrificed for submission attempt.
Q6: If opponent successfully hand fights and creates frames during the triangle finish, what is the appropriate tactical response? A: Control their free arm with your non-choking hand to limit framing ability. If they commit both hands to defending the triangle, their neck becomes exposed - immediately transition back to rear naked choke. The triangle creates a dilemma where defending it opens other attacks. Never force a defended triangle when superior alternatives become available.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The triangle from back represents a sophisticated evolution in our understanding of back control submission systems. Traditionally, grapplers viewed back control through the narrow lens of the rear naked choke as the primary, often singular, finishing mechanism. However, modern high-level competition has shown us that skilled opponents can defend the rear naked choke effectively through proper chin position and hand fighting. The triangle from back addresses this defensive adaptation by attacking the neck through an entirely different mechanical pathway - using leg configuration rather than arm-based choking. What makes this submission particularly valuable from a systematic perspective is that it creates a genuine dilemma for the defending opponent: defend the rear naked choke and expose yourself to the triangle, or defend the triangle and expose your neck to traditional back attacks. The key is maintaining what I call ‘positional supremacy’ throughout the transition - you must never sacrifice back control in pursuit of the triangle. If the triangle attempt compromises your back position, you’ve made a tactical error. The submission should emerge naturally from your opponent’s defensive commitments, not from your forcing a technique that isn’t available. From a safety standpoint, the triangle from back requires exceptional control and awareness because of the powerful leg-based pressure combined with the positional control of back mount. The potential for rapid unconsciousness is significant, making progressive pressure application and clear communication absolutely essential in training environments.
- Gordon Ryan: Triangle from back is one of those submissions that separates hobbyists from serious competitors - it requires real technical sophistication and body awareness to pull off under pressure. In competition, I’m always looking for ways to finish from back because you’re burning energy and risking the opponent escaping if you just hold the position. The beauty of the triangle is that it catches guys who think they’ve got the RNC defended. They’re so focused on keeping their chin down and grabbing your choking arm that they completely forget about their legs. Here’s the real key though - you need to bait the defense first. If I just attack the triangle randomly, good opponents will see it coming. But if I make a committed rear naked choke attempt, get them really focused on defending that, then switch to triangle, their defense is already committed to the wrong threat. In training versus competition, there’s a massive difference in how I finish this. In the gym, I’ll get to the position and just hold it with light pressure so my partner can work their defense. But in a match, once I lock that triangle, I’m finishing fast because I know my opponent won’t tap until they absolutely have to. That’s the competition mindset - you assume they’ll defend to the last second. One more thing - flexibility matters here more than people think. If you can’t get your leg over their shoulder smoothly while maintaining back control, you’ll give up the position trying to force it. I spent months working on my hip flexibility specifically for this technique.
- Eddie Bravo: Dude, the triangle from back is straight 10th Planet philosophy - we’re always looking for ways to use our legs for submissions while keeping our hands free for control. The traditional RNC is great, but what happens when a guy knows what he’s doing and locks down that defense? You’re stuck. But if you can bring your leg game into back control, now you’ve got this whole other dimension of attacks. Here’s where it gets creative - we don’t just hit the standard triangle from back. We’ll use it as part of a bigger system where we’re threatening it from body triangle, from the truck, from gift wrap, all these different back control variations. The opponent doesn’t know which version of triangle is coming, and that uncertainty is what creates the opening. In the 10th Planet system, we emphasize the transition more than the finish. If you can transition smoothly from hooks in to triangle position without losing any control, you’re doing it right. If it feels forced or you’re struggling, you’re doing it wrong. One thing I always tell my guys - don’t be married to the finish. If the triangle isn’t there, switch back to the armbar, to the RNC, to whatever’s available. The triangle is just one tool in the back attack toolbox. And for safety in training, man, we’re super serious about this. Blood chokes are no joke. We’ve got a whole culture around tapping early and finishing slowly because we want everybody training for decades, not getting brain damage in the gym trying to prove they’re tough.