⚠️ SAFETY: Triangle from Closed Guard targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Loss of consciousness from carotid compression. Release immediately upon tap.
The Triangle Choke from Closed Guard is one of the most fundamental and highest-percentage submissions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, representing the perfect marriage of control and finishing mechanics from the guard position. This blood choke uses your legs to create a triangular configuration around the opponent’s neck and their own shoulder, compressing the carotid arteries and jugular veins to induce unconsciousness if not defended or escaped. The beauty of the triangle lies in its structural efficiency - once properly locked, the opponent’s own posture and trapped arm work against them, making escape increasingly difficult as they tire.
What makes the triangle from closed guard particularly powerful is its accessibility from the most fundamental guard position in BJJ. Unlike submissions that require specific grips or advanced positioning, the triangle can be attacked whenever the opponent posts a hand inside your guard or breaks their posture forward. This makes it an essential weapon for guard players at all levels, from white belts learning fundamental attacks to black belts using it as a high-percentage finishing option in competition. The triangle also serves as the gateway to an entire attack system, seamlessly connecting to armbars, omoplatas, and sweep options that create true dilemmas for the opponent.
The technical execution of the triangle from closed guard requires precise angle creation, hip mobility, and an understanding of how to break the opponent’s defensive posture while maintaining control throughout the transition. Success depends not on strength or speed, but on proper positioning of the legs, correct angle relative to the opponent, and the ability to control their posture and arm placement. When executed with proper technique, the triangle becomes nearly unstoppable, which is why it remains a cornerstone submission across all levels of competition from local tournaments to the highest levels of professional grappling.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and jugular veins Starting Position: Closed Guard Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 55%, Advanced 75%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Loss of consciousness from carotid compression | CRITICAL | Immediate with proper release, potential complications if held after unconsciousness |
| Neck strain or cervical spine stress | Medium | 3-7 days for minor strain, weeks for more severe cases |
| Shoulder compression injury from trapped arm | Medium | 1-2 weeks for minor strain |
| Rib or intercostal muscle strain from leg pressure | Low | 3-5 days |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 5-7 seconds minimum in training, never snap or jerk the choke
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap or any verbal distress signal
- Physical hand tap on partner’s body or mat
- Physical foot tap on mat or partner
- Any unusual breathing sounds or struggle patterns
- Loss of resistance or going limp (immediate release required)
Release Protocol:
- Immediately open legs and release triangle configuration
- Push opponent’s head away gently while maintaining awareness of their neck
- Allow opponent to recover posture slowly without sudden movements
- Check partner’s awareness and ensure they are responsive
- Never maintain pressure after tap or loss of consciousness
- Give partner time to recover before resuming training
Training Restrictions:
- Never hold choke after partner taps or goes unconscious
- Never spike or slam opponent while setting up triangle
- Always allow partner clear tap access with at least one arm
- Never use competition speed or finishing pressure in drilling
- Stop immediately if partner shows distress or unusual breathing
- Communicate clearly about pressure levels during positional training
- White belts should drill under supervision until mechanics are understood
Key Principles
- Angle Creation - Your hips must be angled approximately 90 degrees to opponent’s centerline, not directly underneath them, to create proper choking mechanics and prevent them from stacking you
- Leg Configuration - One leg crosses over opponent’s back while the other leg’s knee creates the choking corner at their neck; the triangle is complete when your ankle locks behind the opposite knee
- Arm Isolation - One of opponent’s arms must be trapped inside the triangle while the other remains outside; this asymmetry is essential for the choke to function by using their own shoulder against their neck
- Hip Elevation - Actively pull opponent’s head down while elevating your hips to tighten the triangle; the squeeze comes from this elevation and hip extension, not from squeezing your legs together
- Posture Breaking - Opponent’s posture must be broken forward to expose their neck; if they maintain upright posture, the triangle cannot be properly applied regardless of leg configuration
- Shoulder Wedge - The opponent’s trapped shoulder acts as a wedge that drives into their own neck when you pull their head down and extend your hips, creating the actual choking pressure
- Continuous Control - Maintain constant control of opponent’s head and posture throughout setup and finish; any moment where they can posture up is an opportunity for escape or counter
Prerequisites
- Opponent must have at least one arm inside your closed guard or be posting with one hand
- Your guard must be closed or you must have sufficient hip control to manage distance
- Opponent’s posture should be broken forward or you must have grips to break it (collar, back of head, or sleeve)
- You need sufficient hip mobility to create the proper angle (approximately 90 degrees to opponent)
- At least one controlling grip on opponent - typically sleeve, wrist, or back of head/neck
- Space to swing your leg over opponent’s shoulder without them blocking or catching it
- Opponent’s weight should be slightly forward or centered, not heavily posted back on their heels
Execution Steps
- Control and Angle Creation: From closed guard, control opponent’s posture with collar grip or hand behind their head. Simultaneously control one arm (typically the one you’ll trap inside) with your opposite hand gripping their wrist or sleeve. Begin opening your guard while immediately pivoting your hips to create approximately 45-90 degrees of angle relative to opponent’s centerline. This angle is critical - if you stay directly underneath them, they can stack you and defend. (Timing: 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Leg Swing and Initial Triangle Frame: While maintaining wrist/sleeve control of the arm you’re trapping inside, swing your same-side leg high over opponent’s shoulder and across their back. Your shin should land across their upper back/shoulder blades. The key is to get your leg high on their shoulder, near their neck, not down on their mid-back. Simultaneously use your other leg to create a frame against their far hip to maintain the angle and prevent them from following your movement or stacking you. (Timing: 1 second - must be quick but controlled) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Lock the Triangle Configuration: Bring your shin down in front of opponent’s face while maintaining the high position on their shoulder. Your ankle should cross behind your opposite knee to create the triangle lock. The critical detail is that your knee (the choking leg) must be tight against the side of their neck - this creates the choking corner. Pull their trapped arm across their centerline if needed to ensure it’s truly isolated inside the triangle. At this point, the triangle is structurally locked but not yet tight. (Timing: 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Angle Adjustment and Posture Control: Before finishing, ensure your angle is correct - your spine should be perpendicular to opponent’s centerline (forming a ‘T’ shape from above). If you’re not at this angle, walk your shoulders and hips to adjust. Simultaneously break opponent’s posture by pulling their head down with both hands - grip behind their head, their collar, or control their far arm and pull it across. Their face should be looking at your belly button, not up toward the ceiling. This posture break is essential for the finish. (Timing: 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Firm]
- Hip Extension and Triangle Tightening: With opponent’s posture broken and your angle correct, elevate your hips by driving them toward the ceiling while simultaneously pulling their head down. The choking pressure comes from this hip extension, not from squeezing your legs together laterally. Think about extending your legs straight rather than squeezing them closed. Your choking knee should drive into one side of their neck while their own trapped shoulder drives into the other side, compressing both carotid arteries. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive pressure in training) [Pressure: Firm]
- Final Adjustments and Submission: If opponent is not tapping, make micro-adjustments: ensure your ankle lock is tight behind your knee, adjust your angle slightly if needed, pull their head lower, or grab your own shin to add more pulling power. Some positions allow you to underhook their far leg to prevent them from standing and to add control. Continue extending your hips and pulling their head until they tap. In training, apply pressure progressively over 5-7 seconds minimum to allow safe tapping. Release immediately upon tap. (Timing: 2-5 seconds of sustained pressure) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Standing up to stack or slam (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Hook opponent’s far leg with your bottom arm immediately as they start to stand, preventing them from achieving the base needed to stack effectively. Alternatively, if already standing, release triangle and transition to armbar or sweep rather than risk injury from slam.
- Posturing up aggressively with arms pushing on hips/knees (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: Instead of fighting their posture directly, release one grip to control their far arm and pull it across, using their defensive posture against them. Alternatively, open to armbar transition when they commit to posting both hands. Never allow sustained upright posture as this makes triangle ineffective.
- Turning toward the choking leg to relieve pressure (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Follow their turn by adjusting your angle - move your shoulders in the direction they’re turning while maintaining triangle lock. You can also transition to armbar on the trapped arm as they turn, or switch to opposite-side triangle if they fully turn out.
- Extracting the trapped arm by pulling elbow back (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Immediately switch to armbar when they pull their arm back - their extraction attempt pulls their arm into perfect armbar position. Alternatively, overhook their arm and pull it deeper across their centerline before they can fully extract it.
- Defending the choke by tucking chin or grabbing own lapel (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: These are stalling tactics, not escapes. Maintain position, adjust your angle slightly, and ensure proper hip extension. The structural pressure will eventually overcome chin tuck. Against lapel grab, break the grip and immediately pull head lower while extending hips.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: Why is creating approximately 90 degrees of angle essential for triangle effectiveness, and what happens if you stay directly underneath your opponent? A: The 90-degree angle prevents the opponent from stacking you and driving forward with their weight, which would break the triangle’s structure and potentially pass your guard. When you’re directly underneath them, they can use gravity and forward pressure to compress you, making it impossible to maintain the triangle configuration or extend your hips for the finish. The perpendicular angle also optimizes the choking geometry by ensuring their neck is properly positioned relative to your leg and their own trapped shoulder.
Q2: What is the actual mechanism that creates unconsciousness in a properly executed triangle choke, and which anatomical structures are being compressed? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: The triangle choke creates unconsciousness by compressing both carotid arteries and jugular veins simultaneously, cutting off blood flow to the brain. One side of the neck is compressed by your choking knee/shin, while the other side is compressed by the opponent’s own trapped shoulder being driven into their neck. This bilateral compression of the vascular structures (not the trachea/airway) causes rapid loss of consciousness typically within 5-10 seconds if not defended. The shoulder wedge is critical - without the opponent’s shoulder trapped inside, the choke cannot compress both sides of the neck effectively.
Q3: Why does the choking pressure in triangle come from hip extension rather than squeezing your legs together, and how does this relate to energy efficiency? A: Hip extension creates greater and more sustainable pressure because you’re using your glutes, hamstrings, and core muscles (larger, more powerful muscle groups) rather than just your adductors (inner thigh muscles). When you extend your hips toward the ceiling while pulling the opponent’s head down, you create a lever system where your entire body weight and structural alignment generate the choking force. Squeezing legs together laterally exhausts the smaller adductor muscles quickly without creating proper bilateral compression of the neck. The hip extension method allows you to maintain pressure for much longer with less fatigue.
Q4: What are the safety protocols you must follow regarding release timing and pressure application when practicing triangle chokes in training? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: You must release the triangle immediately upon any tap signal - verbal, physical tap with hand or foot, or any distress signal. If your partner goes limp or stops resisting, release immediately even without tap and check their awareness. During application, pressure must be applied progressively over minimum 5-7 seconds in training, never jerking or spiking the choke at full speed. Partner must always have clear access to tap with at least one arm. After release, push opponent’s head away gently and allow them to recover posture slowly. Never maintain any pressure after tap or loss of consciousness, and never use competition finishing speed during drilling or positional training.
Q5: How do you transition from triangle to armbar when the opponent defends by turning toward your choking leg, and why does this create a natural submission chain? A: When opponent turns toward the choking leg to relieve pressure on their neck, they naturally expose their trapped arm to armbar. To transition: maintain your triangle lock initially, pivot your body to follow their turn while releasing your top leg from across their back, swing that leg over their face and fall back for armbar on the trapped arm. This works because their defensive turn extends and straightens the trapped arm while removing it from defending their neck - they must choose between defending the triangle (keeping arm bent and close) or defending the armbar (keeping arm straight and away). This creates a true submission dilemma where defending one attack opens the other.
Q6: What should you do immediately if your partner’s breathing sounds unusual, they show distress signals, or they appear to be losing consciousness during triangle application? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: Immediately open your legs and release the triangle completely without waiting for a tap. Push their head away gently, allow them to recover their posture, and check their awareness by speaking to them. If they appear unconscious or unresponsive, ensure they’re breathing, position them safely (recovery position if needed), and monitor them until they’re fully aware. Never continue training until they’ve confirmed they’re okay. This is critical because loss of consciousness can occur rapidly (within seconds) and continuing pressure after unconsciousness can cause serious brain injury. Unusual breathing, gurgling sounds, or sudden loss of resistance are emergency signals requiring immediate release.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The triangle choke from closed guard represents perhaps the single most important submission in the entire closed guard system, not merely for its effectiveness as a finishing technique, but for the systematic framework it provides for controlling and attacking from the guard position. The mechanical beauty of the triangle lies in its use of skeletal structure rather than muscular force - when properly configured, your legs create an inescapable frame where the opponent’s own trapped shoulder becomes the primary weapon against their neck. The critical technical element that separates effective triangles from ineffective attempts is the geometric relationship between your centerline and theirs - you must achieve approximately perpendicular alignment, creating what I call the ‘T-position’ when viewed from above. This angle prevents them from using forward pressure to stack you while simultaneously optimizing the choking geometry. Furthermore, understand that the triangle is not an isolated technique but rather the centerpiece of an entire attack system - when your opponent defends the triangle by turning one direction, they expose themselves to the armbar; turn the other direction and the omoplata becomes available. This creates what I term a ‘submission triangle’ where three techniques - triangle, armbar, and omoplata - form an interconnected system where defending any one attack necessarily opens another. Train the triangle not as a single submission but as the gateway to understanding systematic attacking from the guard position, and you will find it becomes one of your highest-percentage finishing positions across all levels of competition.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the triangle from closed guard is one of my absolute highest-percentage submissions because it works at every level from white belt to black belt world championships - I’ve finished countless opponents with this technique and it never gets old because it’s fundamentally sound and difficult to defend when applied correctly. The key difference between how most people hit triangles and how I finish them is the commitment to the angle and the unwillingness to accept half-measures in the setup. When I shoot for triangle, I’m immediately going to the perfect angle - not kind of at an angle, but fully perpendicular - and I’m breaking their posture violently before they even understand what’s happening. Most people fail at triangles because they try to finish from directly underneath their opponent or they allow the opponent to maintain some posture, and that’s just not going to work against anyone with decent defense. The second critical element is understanding when to transition - if I lock the triangle and they’re defending intelligently by turning into my choking leg or pulling their arm out, I’m not going to waste energy fighting a defended position. I’m immediately going to armbar or omoplata depending on which direction they turn. This is what separates competition-level triangle attacks from hobby-level - I’m not hoping to finish one specific technique, I’m creating a systematic problem where they have to choose which submission they want to defend, and their choice determines which one I finish with. In training versus competition, the only difference is speed and pressure - I drill triangles at 60-70% pressure and slower speed, but in competition I’m finishing at 100% as fast as possible once the position is locked. The triangle has won me matches at every major tournament because it’s reliable, it works from a fundamental position everyone plays, and when you combine it with armbar and omoplata, it creates an unsolvable problem for your opponent.
- Eddie Bravo: The triangle from closed guard is absolutely fundamental, but where it gets really interesting is when you understand how to use the rubber guard and mission control to set up triangles that your opponent doesn’t see coming until it’s too late. In the 10th Planet system, we don’t just wait for opponents to make mistakes and give us triangle opportunities - we create them by using the high guard and rubber guard to control their posture and arm positioning in ways that make triangle entries inevitable. When you get to mission control position with the rubber guard, you’ve got complete control of their posture and their arm is already where you need it for the triangle, so the transition is seamless and fast. The beauty of the triangle is its versatility - you can hit it from so many different positions and you can disguise it within other attacks. I love setting up triangles from failed omoplata attempts, from the dogfight position in half guard, and especially from the rubber guard where I can control their head and prevent them from posturing before they even realize I’m going for it. One thing that’s critical but often overlooked is that the triangle shouldn’t just be thought of as a submission finish - it’s a control position that opens up a whole world of attacks. From triangle control, you can go to omoplata, armbar, triangle armbar combinations, sweep them, take their back - it’s a hub position for the entire guard game. The other innovation we focus on is using the triangle as a defensive position when someone’s trying to pass your guard - if they’re driving forward aggressively, sometimes the best defense is to attack with triangle because it stops their passing momentum and puts them on the defensive immediately. Safety-wise, especially when you’re drilling this with your training partners, always give them time to tap and never spike or jerk the finish - we want to build a culture where people can train hard without getting injured, and that means being responsible with submissions that can put people out quickly like the triangle. Train it slow, train it often, and understand that mastering the triangle from closed guard opens up your entire guard game because opponents become so worried about it that they give you everything else.