⚠️ SAFETY: Triangle from Mount targets the Carotid arteries and jugular veins. Risk: Carotid artery compression leading to loss of consciousness. Release immediately upon tap.
The Triangle from Mount represents an advanced finishing sequence that combines positional dominance with a high-percentage submission. This technique is particularly effective when the bottom opponent attempts to create frames or push against the mount, providing the necessary arm positioning for triangle entry. Unlike the traditional triangle from guard, the mounted version offers superior control and multiple backup options, making it a favorite among competitors who prioritize position-based submissions. The key to success lies in recognizing the precise moment when the opponent’s defensive structure creates the triangle opportunity, typically when they establish an underhook or frame across the body. This submission showcases the principle of using your opponent’s defensive efforts against them, converting their escape attempts into submission setups. The mounted triangle is especially valuable because it maintains top position even if the finish is not immediate, allowing for transitions to other attacks like armbars, arm triangles, or remounting while the opponent remains defensive.
Category: Choke Type: Blood Choke Target Area: Carotid arteries and jugular veins Starting Position: Mount Success Rates: Beginner 35%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 65%
Safety Guide
Injury Risks:
| Injury | Severity | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|
| Carotid artery compression leading to loss of consciousness | High | Immediate upon release, but repeated unconsciousness can cause cumulative damage |
| Neck strain or cervical spine stress from improper angle | Medium | 3-7 days for minor strains, 2-4 weeks for moderate injuries |
| Shoulder hyperextension if trapped arm is forced | Medium | 1-3 weeks for minor hyperextension, 4-8 weeks for severe cases |
Application Speed: SLOW and progressive - 3-5 seconds minimum from setup to full pressure. Blood chokes can cause unconsciousness within 8-10 seconds, so control is critical.
Tap Signals:
- Verbal tap or vocal sound
- Multiple taps with free hand on partner’s body
- Multiple foot taps on mat
- Any distress signal or change in resistance
- Partner going limp (immediate release required)
Release Protocol:
- Immediately open legs and release triangle lock
- Remove pressure from neck by pulling head away
- Release trapped arm by opening guard completely
- Move to side position to allow opponent to breathe freely
- Monitor partner for 10-15 seconds to ensure full recovery
- Check for verbal confirmation partner is okay before continuing
Training Restrictions:
- Never apply full pressure in drilling - use 30-40% maximum
- Never hold the choke after partner taps or goes limp
- Always allow clear tap access with at least one free hand
- Never spike or jerk into the submission - smooth transitions only
- Beginners must drill for 4+ weeks before live application
- Always communicate pressure level with training partners
Key Principles
- Opponent’s defensive frames create the triangle entry opportunity
- Hip mobility and angle adjustment are critical for finishing
- Maintain mount control throughout the transition to prevent escape
- The trapped arm must be isolated across opponent’s centerline
- Leg lock security comes before applying choking pressure
- Triangle can be maintained while returning to mount if needed
- Control the posture before locking the triangle to prevent escape
Prerequisites
- Established mount position with weight distributed properly
- Opponent creates frame or underhook on one side of body
- One of opponent’s arms is positioned across their centerline
- Hip mobility to swing leg over opponent’s shoulder
- Opponent’s head is controlled or posture is broken forward
- Free hand controls opponent’s free arm to prevent posting
Execution Steps
- Identify Triangle Opening: From mount, recognize when opponent creates a frame with their arm across your body or establishes an underhook. This defensive structure positions their arm perfectly across their own centerline, creating the triangle opportunity. Common triggers include opponent pushing your hip, framing against your chest, or attempting to create space for an elbow escape. (Timing: Recognition phase - 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Light]
- Control the Head and Trap the Arm: Use your same-side hand to control opponent’s head, pulling it forward and toward the side where you’ll swing your leg. Simultaneously use your opposite hand to secure their framing arm, ensuring it stays across their centerline. This double control prevents them from pulling their arm back out and sets up the proper angle for the triangle. (Timing: 1-2 seconds) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Swing Leg Over Shoulder: Post your outside hand on the mat for base, then swing your leg (same side as trapped arm) over opponent’s shoulder and behind their head. Your shin should land across the back of their neck with your knee pointed toward the ceiling. Maintain control of their head throughout this movement to prevent them from turning away or escaping their arm. (Timing: 1-2 seconds during transition) [Pressure: Light]
- Lock the Triangle: Bring your opposite leg across your shin, locking your ankle behind your knee to create the triangle lock. Your locked legs should create a tight circle around opponent’s neck and their own trapped arm. Ensure their arm is fully isolated across their neck - if the arm slips out, the choke will be ineffective. Adjust your hips to close any gaps in the triangle. (Timing: 2-3 seconds to secure proper lock) [Pressure: Moderate]
- Adjust Angle and Break Posture: Pull opponent’s head down while simultaneously angling your hips to the side (approximately 45 degrees from their centerline). This angle is crucial - it tightens the choke by creating proper compression on the carotid arteries. Use your hands to control their free arm and pull their head to close distance, eliminating any space between your legs and their neck. (Timing: 2-3 seconds for optimal positioning) [Pressure: Firm]
- Apply Progressive Pressure: Squeeze your knees together while pulling their head down with both hands. The choking pressure comes from the combination of your legs compressing their neck and their own trapped shoulder cutting off the opposite carotid artery. Apply pressure progressively over 3-5 seconds in training, monitoring partner’s tap signals constantly. In competition, you can apply faster, but always control the finish. (Timing: 3-5 seconds progressive application in training) [Pressure: Maximum]
Opponent Defenses
- Posture up strongly to prevent head control (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: If opponent postures before triangle is locked, maintain mount and transition to different attack like armbar or arm triangle. Don’t force the triangle from poor position.
- Pull trapped arm back across centerline (Effectiveness: High) - Your Adjustment: React immediately by using both hands to secure their wrist and elbow, pulling the arm deeper across their neck while simultaneously swinging your leg over faster. Speed is critical in this moment.
- Turn toward trapped arm side to escape (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Follow their turn by maintaining triangle lock and adjusting your angle. Their turn often tightens the choke. You can also transition to armbar on the free arm if triangle loosens.
- Stack your hips and drive forward (Effectiveness: Medium) - Your Adjustment: Before they can stack, extend your hips away and create angle. If already stacked, release triangle and return to mount, or transition to armbar depending on positioning.
- Attempt to pass to side control during transition (Effectiveness: Low) - Your Adjustment: Keep triangle locked and use it to prevent the pass. Your legs control their upper body even if position changes. You can finish from various angles, including from bottom if needed.
Test Your Knowledge
Q1: What is the primary indicator that triangle from mount opportunity exists? A: The primary indicator is when the opponent creates a defensive frame or underhook that positions one of their arms across their own centerline. This arm positioning is essential because the triangle works by using their own arm to compress one carotid artery while your legs compress the other. Common scenarios include opponent framing against your chest, establishing an underhook to create space, or pushing your hip during escape attempts.
Q2: Why is angle adjustment critical for finishing the triangle from mount? A: Angle adjustment (approximately 45 degrees to the side) is critical because it creates the proper compression on both carotid arteries. Without the angle, even a locked triangle may not create effective choking pressure because the opponent’s posture prevents optimal compression. The angle also helps break their posture by creating leverage, making it harder for them to maintain their base and easier for you to pull their head down into the choke.
Q3: What should you do immediately if your opponent starts to pull their arm back across centerline during setup? A: You must immediately use both hands to secure their wrist and elbow, pulling the arm deeper across their neck while simultaneously accelerating your leg swing over their shoulder. Speed becomes critical in this moment because once they successfully retrieve their arm to their own side, the triangle opportunity is lost. If you cannot prevent the arm escape, abandon the triangle attempt and maintain mount position rather than forcing a low-percentage finish.
Q4: What are the mandatory safety protocols when applying triangle from mount in training? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: SAFETY CRITICAL: (1) Apply pressure progressively over 3-5 seconds, never spiking into full pressure. (2) Monitor partner constantly for tap signals - verbal, hand taps, foot taps, or any distress. (3) Release immediately upon any tap signal or if partner goes limp. (4) After release, monitor partner for 10-15 seconds to ensure full recovery. (5) Never hold the choke to test duration - blood chokes can cause unconsciousness in 8-10 seconds. (6) During drilling, use only 30-40% pressure maximum and communicate constantly with partner.
Q5: If the triangle is locked but not finishing, what are the three primary adjustments to make? A: First, check and adjust your angle - ensure your hips are angled 45 degrees to the side, not square to opponent. Second, break their posture more aggressively by pulling their head down with both hands while extending your hips away. Third, verify their arm is fully across their centerline and your triangle lock is tight with no gaps - squeeze your knees together and pull your ankle tighter behind your knee. These three adjustments address the most common reasons for an ineffective triangle: poor angle, insufficient posture break, and loose triangle structure.
Q6: What is the correct response if your training partner goes limp during triangle application? [SAFETY-CRITICAL] A: SAFETY CRITICAL: Immediately open your legs completely, remove all pressure from their neck, and move to side position to allow unrestricted breathing. Monitor them closely for 10-15 seconds - they should regain consciousness within seconds of release. Check for verbal confirmation they are okay. If they don’t regain consciousness quickly (within 5-10 seconds), call for instructor help immediately. Never continue training until partner confirms full recovery. This scenario indicates the choke was applied too quickly or held too long - review your pressure progression to prevent recurrence.
Q7: How does the triangle from mount differ strategically from triangle from guard? A: The mounted triangle maintains superior position throughout the attempt, meaning even if the submission fails, you retain top control and can transition to other attacks. From guard, a failed triangle often results in opponent passing to better position. Additionally, the mounted triangle offers easier transitions to backup submissions like armbars and arm triangles because you control the top position. However, the setup is more complex from mount because you must manage the transition from mount to triangle while preventing escapes, whereas from guard you’re already in the leg-based control structure.
From Which Positions?
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: The triangle from mount represents a sophisticated understanding of positional hierarchy combined with submission mechanics. What makes this technique particularly valuable is that it maintains the essential principle of position before submission - even during the submission attempt, you retain superior position. The critical detail that most practitioners miss is the timing of the arm isolation relative to the leg swing. The arm must be secured across the centerline and controlled with both your head control and arm control before you initiate the leg movement. If you swing your leg prematurely, intelligent opponents will immediately recognize the threat and pull their arm back to safety. The angle adjustment after locking is not optional - it’s the difference between a tight choke that finishes in seconds and a loose position that allows indefinite resistance. When teaching this technique, I emphasize the safety protocols extensively because the mounted position gives you tremendous leverage and the choke can work very quickly. Students must develop the discipline to apply progressive pressure in training, reserving explosive application for competition only. The triangle from mount also serves as an excellent diagnostic tool for understanding whether a student truly comprehends positional control versus submission hunting mentality.
- Gordon Ryan: In competition, the triangle from mount is one of my highest percentage finishes because opponents are forced to make the defensive mistake that creates the opening. When someone is getting smashed in mount, they instinctively try to create frames and space, which positions their arm exactly where I need it for the triangle. The key difference between training and competition application is commitment - in competition, once I recognize the arm position is correct, I attack the triangle explosively because any hesitation allows them to retrieve the arm. However, in the training room, I deliberately slow down the finish to protect my partners. My approach differs from pure self-defense methodology because I’m optimizing for IBJJF and ADCC competition contexts where points and time matter. If I’m up on points with two minutes remaining and get mount, threatening the triangle serves a strategic purpose even if I don’t finish it - it prevents them from mounting effective offense and forces increasingly desperate escape attempts. One tactical detail I use that’s competition-specific: if the triangle isn’t finishing immediately, I’ll use it to take the back as they turn to defend, maintaining offensive pressure throughout. The mounted triangle fits perfectly into my systematic mount attack sequence because the same arm isolation that sets up the triangle also sets up armbars and arm triangles, creating true dilemmas for the opponent.
- Eddie Bravo: The triangle from mount is beautiful because it shows how traditional positions can incorporate rubber guard concepts and 10th Planet innovations. While the standard mounted triangle is solid, I encourage students to explore variations that incorporate our system’s emphasis on control and unusual angles. One innovation we use is combining the mounted triangle setup with our mission control concepts - using the overhook and head control to create even tighter arm isolation before swinging the leg over. From a no-gi perspective especially, the mounted triangle requires extra emphasis on grip fighting and head control since you don’t have the gi grips to secure the arm position. In our competition training, we also explore the mounted gogoplata as a backup if the triangle angle isn’t perfect, since the shin-across-throat position is already established. The safety culture we maintain at 10th Planet is non-negotiable - students learn that being a savage on the competition mat requires being a professional in the training room. We drill the progressive pressure application religiously because blood chokes are no joke, and developing that control under pressure is what separates good training partners from dangerous ones. I also encourage creativity in how you set up the triangle from mount - maybe use a rubber guard position momentarily to secure the arm, or incorporate zombie control concepts. The fundamentals must be rock solid first, but then innovation comes from understanding why the technique works and exploring new paths to the same finish.