How to set up the Triangle Choke from Mount/Gift Wrap
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Gift Wrap Mount·MMA Leech·Added by Admin
Professor Gustavo Gasperin teaches how to set up the triangle choke from the mount position, using the gift wrap control…
Gift Wrap Mount
Genusギフトラップマウント(Gifuto Rappu Maunto)
TransliterationTranslation: gift wrap mount
Overview
The Gift Wrap Mount uses one arm to control both of the opponent's arms by threading one arm through and wrapping it around — 'gift wrapping' the arms together — creating a dominant control that frees one hand for attacks. [1] The gift wrap eliminates one of the mounted fighter's primary defensive tools (framing with the arms) and provides the top fighter with a free hand for strikes or choke set-ups. [1],[2] The gift wrap is particularly effective in MMA for setting up ground-and-pound sequences. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Gift wrap mount traps the opponent's arm across their own body using their gi or wrist control, exposing the back and neck for attacks. [1]
Lineage
Gift wrap control was developed in BJJ as a mount control and back-take setup. [1]
Competition Record
Gift wrap is used in BJJ and MMA competition as a mount control method. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Gravity-assisted top control — body weight pins the opponent's torso to the ground
Joints Involved — Attacker's hips (heavy base), knees (clamped for ride control), opponent's spine (pinned)
Force Vector — Downward — gravity plus active hip pressure maximises control and submission opportunities
Positional Mechanic — High mount raises the centre of gravity above the opponent's shoulder line, isolating their arms for attacks
Position & Entry
From guard pass completion — After passing the guard, establish mount by placing knees on either side of the opponent's torso
From sweep — Complete a sweep from guard and land directly in mount position on top
From side control (knee slide) — From side control, slide the knee across the opponent's belly and settle into mount
Variants
Low mount — hips heavy on the opponent's belly, grapevines in for stability
High mount — knees under the armpits, arms isolated for submissions
S-mount — one knee high under the armpit, other leg across for arm attacks
Technical mount — one leg hooked, one knee posted, modified for back-take transitions
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring po...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, mount scores 2 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal dominant position
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— UWW — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match ...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal, pin scores points
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Gift wrap mount controls the opponent's arm by wrapping it across their own body and holding it with the opposite hand — creating a powerful control position that exposes the back and sets up chokes (Danaher, Pin Escapes and Turtle Turnover, 2019)
✓The 'gift wrap' name comes from the arm position: the opponent's arm is wrapped across their body like wrapping paper, held in place by the top player's hand
✓Gift wrap mount transitions directly to the back: when the opponent turns to escape the wrapped arm, follow them to take the back
✓From gift wrap mount, the primary attacks are: back take (follow the turn), mounted armbar (extend the wrapped arm), and cross choke (the neck is exposed)
✓The gift wrap is established from mount: control one wrist, push it across the opponent's body, and grip it with the opposite hand
✓Gift wrap mount is particularly effective in MMA: the arm wrap controls the opponent while the free hand strikes
✓The gift wrap is a control multiplier: it restricts the opponent to one arm for defence, making all attacks easier
Common Mistakes
!Not maintaining the gift wrap grip when the opponent resists — the wrap must be held firmly throughout
!Wrapping the arm but not following the turn to the back — the back take is the primary purpose of the gift wrap
!Staying in gift wrap without attacking — the gift wrap creates openings that must be exploited immediately
!Not using the free hand for additional control or strikes — the free hand should be actively attacking
!Wrapping too loosely — the arm must be pulled tight across the opponent's body for the wrap to control
!Not training the gift wrap from both sides — develop the ability to wrap either arm
!Abandoning the gift wrap to attempt a different attack — the gift wrap chains to multiple finishes
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Pass the Guard — clear the opponent's legs to advance to this dominant position
2Settle Weight — distribute body weight to maintain heavy pressure
3Control Arms — manage the opponent's arms to prevent frames and escapes
4Threaten Submissions — attack to force defensive reactions and maintain dominance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
base stability, heavy hips, ride ability
Favours
heavier build with strong hips for pressure
Key muscles
hip adductors, core, glutes, quadriceps
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I switch to modified mount when my opponent turns to their side?
When your opponent turns to their side from regular mount, it becomes too easy for them to capture your leg and escape to half guard. MMA Leech recommends using your hands on the mat to lighten your legs and transition into modified mount position to maintain control.
How do I set up the triangle choke from gift wrap position?
After establishing gift wrap control, punch your opponent's arm down to create space for your leg, then work your top leg between their arms. Make sure your leg is positioned between their arms (not over one arm) before locking the triangle, as MMA Leech emphasizes this is critical for the choke to work.
Where should my calf be positioned when finishing the triangle from gift wrap?
Your calf must be positioned directly behind your opponent's neck, not on the middle of their back. MMA Leech stresses this positioning is essential because without it, you won't be able to lock your legs to complete the submission.
What's the correct hand placement when tightening the triangle from gift wrap mount?
Once you have gift wrap control, release your wrist control and post your hand on the mat to get a better angle, then use your hand for leverage as you loop your leg around and tighten your calf behind their neck, as MMA Leech demonstrates.
How does the Gift Wrap Mount work?
The Gift Wrap Mount uses one arm to control both of the opponent's arms by threading one arm through and wrapping it around — 'gift wrapping' the arms together — creating a dominant control that frees one hand for attacks. The gift wrap eliminates one of the mounted fighter's primary defensive tools (framing with the arms) and provides the top fighter with a free hand for strikes or choke set-ups.
Where does the Gift Wrap Mount come from?
The gift wrap mount control developed in BJJ and was further refined for MMA, where the ability to control the opponent's arms while freeing a hand for strikes is extremely valuable. It has become a standard mount control technique in both grappling and MMA.
Is the Gift Wrap Mount legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring position; IJF: legal — Legal, osaekomi (pin) — 10-19 seconds scores waza-ari, 20 seconds scores ippon; ADCC: legal — Legal, mount scores 2 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal dominant position; UWW: legal — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match by fall; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal, pin scores points
How dangerous is the Gift Wrap Mount?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Gift Wrap Mount?
The standard setup chain: Pass the Guard → Settle Weight → Control Arms → Threaten Submissions.
How do I defend against the Gift Wrap Mount?
Standard counters include: Bridge (Upa) — explosive hip elevation to off-balance the top player / Elbow-Knee Escape (Shrimp) — create space by driving elbow to knee and hip-escaping / Frame — establish forearm frames to prevent the top player from settling weight.
What are the variants of the Gift Wrap Mount?
Common variants: Low mount (hips heavy on the opponent's belly, grapevines in for sta…); High mount (knees under the armpits, arms isolated for submissions); S-mount (one knee high under the armpit, other leg across for arm …); Technical mount (one leg hooked, one knee posted, modified for back-take t…).
How effective is the Gift Wrap Mount in competition?
Gift wrap is used in BJJ and MMA competition as a mount control method.
What are common mistakes when doing the Gift Wrap Mount?
Top errors to watch for: Not maintaining the gift wrap grip when the opponent resists — the wrap must be held firmly throughout / Wrapping the arm but not following the turn to the back — the back take is the primary purpose of the gift wrap / Staying in gift wrap without attacking — the gift wrap creates openings that must be exploited immediately / Not using the free hand for additional control or strikes — the free hand should be actively attacking.
What are other names for the Gift Wrap Mount?
The Gift Wrap Mount is also known as Gifuto Rappu Maunto, Gift Wrap, Gift Wrap Control, Arm Wrap Mount.