アンダーボディトライアングル(Andā Bodi Toraianguru)
TransliterationTranslation: under body triangle
The Under Body Triangle positions the locking leg underneath the opponent's body, typically threading beneath the hip and locking on the far side. [1] The under configuration provides a different control angle than the over body triangle and can be more effective when the opponent attempts to escape by turning into the controlling fighter. [1],[2] The under body triangle is sometimes used situationally when the over position is defended or when the angle of engagement favours the under-lock. [2],[3]
The under body triangle developed as an alternative to the over body triangle, used situationally when the standard over-lock is difficult to establish or when the opponent's escape attempts create a better angle for the under-lock. [1] It is less commonly taught but recognised as a valuable alternative. [2],[3]
The under body triangle (legs under the bottom hip) provides a different angle of control, restricting the opponent's ability to slide down and escape. [1]
The under body triangle is an alternative body triangle configuration developed in competitive BJJ. [1]
Both body triangle variants are used in high-level BJJ and MMA competition. [1]
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The under-body triangle, a variation of back control where one leg wraps around the opponent's torso while the other leg is positioned lower (typically with the foot in front of rather than behind the knee), represents a nuanced application of back control with distinct advantages and technical considerations. According to RVV BJJ, the body triangle overall is the superior form of back control for holding an opponent in position, particularly at elite levels visible in ADCC and EBI competition, though it restricts the attacking player's own mobility compared to hook-based control. New Concept BJJ emphasizes that effective body triangle pressure derives not from cranking the legs tight but from pinching the knees together while maintaining a light lock, allowing extended control with minimal energy expenditure. Placement of the triangle is critical: positioning it high (at mid-ribcage level) prevents the opponent from rolling the attacker to the other side, while keeping the foot positioned in front of the knee rather than behind it (the under-body triangle position) eliminates dangerous ankle and knee leverage against the attacking player's own leg. Matt Arroyo Jiu Jitsu focuses primarily on defensive applications, detailing how to prevent entry to the body triangle through early foot placement and, if caught, how to manipulate the foot placement to create ankle submission opportunities or execute escapes. All three instructors agree that proper head positioning (attacker's head below the opponent's) and maintenance of underhooks are foundational to secure back control from this position.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
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Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
Back control is dominant position; enables rear chokes (Danaher 2021)
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Renzo Gracie & Royler Gracie, 2001)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
hook control, seatbelt grip endurance, hip connection
long legs for deep hooks, strong grip for seatbelt
hip adductors, biceps, forearms, core
According to Matt Arroyo, the best defense is to stop it before it's locked in. When your opponent takes your back and starts to bring their foot across your body, immediately push their foot between your legs to protect your neck before they can lock the triangle.
Matt Arroyo recommends your first priority is always to prevent being choked—grip the choke arm like you're holding a baseball bat and glue it to your chest so it can't wrap around your neck.
Matt Arroyo suggests attempting a submission before escaping, since if the submission succeeds the match is over; whereas if you escape first, you'll still have to pass guard and improve position before attempting a submission.
According to RVV BJJ, effective body triangle control requires two main connections: chest-to-back attachment and hip-to-hip connection, which together create extremely powerful direct control.
The Under Body Triangle positions the locking leg underneath the opponent's body, typically threading beneath the hip and locking on the far side. The under configuration provides a different control angle than the over body triangle and can be more effective when the opponent attempts to escape by turning into the controlling fighter.
The under body triangle developed as an alternative to the over body triangle, used situationally when the standard over-lock is difficult to establish or when the opponent's escape attempts create a better angle for the under-lock. It is less commonly taught but recognised as a valuable alternative.
IBJJF: legal — Legal, back control with hooks or body triangle scores 4 points; IJF: legal — Legal — back control leads to pin or submission opportunities; ADCC: legal — Legal, back mount scores 3 points (4 from sweep); Unified MMA: legal — Legal — dominant position for ground-and-pound and rear naked choke; UWW: legal — Legal — back exposure is the primary scoring mechanism in wrestling; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal
Danger rating 4/10. Moderate — back control is dominant position; enables rear chokes (Danaher 2021)
The standard setup chain: Achieve Position → Stabilize → Maintain → Attack.
Standard counters include: Posture Control — maintain strong posture to limit the opponent's offensive options / Escape to Neutral — work back to standing or a neutral position.
Common variants: Back control with hooks (both feet hooked inside the opponent's thighs); Body triangle back control (legs locked in a figure-four around the torso); Rear mount (mounted on the back with both hooks, opponent face-down); Chair sit back control (sitting behind the opponent with hooks, upright position).
Both body triangle variants are used in high-level BJJ and MMA competition.
Top errors to watch for: Not squeezing sufficiently in the under position — the under body triangle still requires active compression / Positioning the lock too low (on the thighs) — the lock should compress the lower torso area / Allowing the opponent to exploit the different angle of the under position — prevent escape attempts specific to this… / Not transitioning to the over position when it becomes available — the over position is generally preferred.
The Under Body Triangle is also known as Andā Bodi Toraianguru, Bottom Lock Body Triangle, Under-Lock Body Triangle.
