Arm-Triangle Choke
Also known as kata gatame, head-and-arm choke, arm triangle
A head-and-arm strangle that traps one of the defender's shoulders against their neck while the attacker closes the opposite side.
At a glance
- Family
- Submission
- Format
- Gi & no-gi
- Level
- Fundamental
- Connections
- 4 techniques
Concept
What it is
The arm triangle wraps the opponent's head and one arm together. The defender's own shoulder closes one side of the neck while the attacker's arm and upper body close the other.
It most often develops from mount, side control, or half-guard top. The technical challenge is settling the trapped arm across the neck and removing space without driving uncontrolled pressure through the cervical spine.
Core mechanics
Key principles
- Move the trapped shoulder across the neck before tightening.
- Keep your head low enough to prevent the arm from returning.
- Settle the body beside the defender rather than squeezing from a loose mount.
- Adjust patiently and release immediately on a tap.
System map
How it connects
Jiu-jitsu techniques work in sequences. These are common conceptual routes in, productive next steps, and the defensive priorities that shape the exchange.
Common entries
Mount
Walk an elbow above the shoulder line and guide the arm across the neck.
Side control
Use crossface pressure to trap the far arm beside the head.
Half-guard top
Flatten the shoulders and isolate the head-and-arm connection.
Next actions
Mount
Return to a stable top position if the defender turns or the choke loosens.
Back control
Follow a turning escape around the far shoulder.
Side control
Settle the pin while preserving head-and-arm control.
Defensive priorities
Frame early
Prevent the elbow from being walked above and across the neck.
Turn toward space
Change shoulder alignment before the attacker settles beside the body.
Recover the elbow
Bring the trapped arm back across the attacker's face or chest when space appears.
Context
History and naming
Kata-gatame is part of judo's recognized control-technique vocabulary and functions both as a pin and a strangle across grappling rulesets.
Competition connections
Athletes associated with Arm-Triangle Choke
Keep exploring
Related techniques
Position
Mount
A dominant top position in which the attacker straddles the opponent's torso to control movement and isolate the arms or neck.
Position
Side Control
A top pin across the opponent's torso that controls the shoulders and hips while opening routes to mount, back control, and submissions.
Position
Back Control
A dominant rear position that controls the opponent's hips and upper body while exposing high-percentage choking attacks.
Submission
D'Arce Choke
An arm-triangle variation threaded from the front headlock or side that wraps the neck and far arm with a figure-four grip.
Rules and reference sources
Rules evolve. The official organizer documents below are the source of truth for competition legality; the guide above explains the technique conceptually.