# Triangle Choke

> A leg strangle that traps the neck and one arm inside a triangular leg configuration.

- **Canonical page:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/triangle-choke
- **Markdown:** https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/triangle-choke.md
- **JSON:** https://www.ossmeta.com/api/public/techniques/triangle-choke
- **Category:** submission
- **Format:** both
- **Level:** fundamental
- **Aliases:** triangle, sankaku jime, triângulo
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-25

## What it is

The triangle choke uses the attacker's legs to surround the opponent's neck and one arm. By controlling posture and turning the trapped shoulder into one side of the strangle, the attacker can finish without relying on upper-body strength.

Triangle systems include front, reverse, side, rear, and mounted variations. The position also connects to armbars, omoplatas, sweeps, and back takes when the opponent changes posture.

## Key principles

- Create one-arm-in, one-arm-out alignment.
- Control posture before locking the legs.
- Turn the angle so the trapped shoulder crosses the neck.
- Keep the knee line tight while avoiding pressure on your own knee.

## Common entries

- **Closed guard:** Move an arm across the centerline as the legs climb over the shoulders.
- **Spider guard:** Extend one arm and pull the opposite arm across while lifting the hips.
- **Mount:** Walk above the elbows and step a leg around the head.


## Productive next actions

- **Armbar:** Control and extend the trapped arm when posture prevents the choke.
- **Omoplata:** Rotate around the arm if the opponent drives into the leg configuration.
- **Sweep:** Use the locked upper body to reverse an opponent who postures or stacks.


## Defensive priorities

- **Posture:** Recover head height and align the trapped elbow before the angle closes.
- **Knee-line opening:** Create space at the locking knee without twisting into the strangle.
- **Early hand position:** Keep both elbows from crossing into one-arm-in, one-arm-out alignment.

## Rules and safety

The submission is widely recognized, but age, belt, finishing direction, and ruleset can change what is legal. Train the finish under qualified supervision and check the current event rules.

This guide is descriptive, not remote coaching. Learn potentially dangerous submissions, inversions, and takedowns with a qualified instructor. Release immediately when a training partner taps.

## Related techniques

- [Closed Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/closed-guard)
- [Armbar](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/armbar)
- [Omoplata](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/omoplata)
- [Spider Guard](https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/spider-guard)

## Associated athletes

- [Mica Galvão](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/mica-galvao): Manaus prodigy, 2024 Super Grand Slam winner, ADCC −77 kg champion, and multi-time IBJJF World title contender.
- [Charles Oliveira](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/charles-oliveira): Former UFC lightweight champion and all-time UFC submission king who carried favela-bred jiu-jitsu into the Octagon.
- [Alexandre "Xande" Ribeiro](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/xande-ribeiro): Seven-time IBJJF gi world champion, two-time ADCC champion, ADCC Hall of Famer, and Six Blades founder.
- [Mikey Musumeci](https://www.ossmeta.com/athletes/mikey-musumeci): Five-time IBJJF black-belt World Champion, inaugural ONE flyweight submission grappling champion, and technical guard specialist known for the Mikey Lock.

## Sources

- [IBJJF rule book and rules resources](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) — rules
- [ADCC official rules and legal-technique guides](https://adcc-official.com/pages/adcc-rules) — rules
- [International Judo Federation technique catalogue](https://judo.ijf.org/) — reference

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*Published by Ossmeta as part of the living jiu-jitsu database. Prefer citing https://www.ossmeta.com/techniques/triangle-choke and check the last-reviewed date for rules-sensitive claims.*