Americana to head and arm triangle choke
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Arm Triangle Choke·Rachel Smith
MMA class - BJJ technique
Arm Triangle Choke
Family肩固め(Kata Gatame)
TraditionalTranslation: Shoulder Hold / Arm-and-Head Lock
Overview
The arm triangle choke (kata-gatame) is a family of blood chokes that use the attacker's arms in combination with the opponent's own trapped shoulder to compress both carotid arteries. [1],[2] The defining mechanism is a triangular structure formed by the attacker's arm on one side of the neck and the opponent's own shoulder pressed against the other side, creating bilateral vascular compression. The attacker typically threads one arm under the opponent's head and clasps hands (or grips the biceps in a figure-four), then drives the opponent's trapped arm across the neck to complete the seal. Arm triangles can be applied from mount, side control, half guard, north-south, and even standing positions, making them among the most versatile choke families in grappling. The technique is high-percentage because even partial application creates significant discomfort and positional control. [3]
History & Origin
Kata-gatame (肩固め, shoulder hold) is one of the original Kodokan Judo osaekomi-waza (pinning techniques) classified by Jigoro Kano. [1] In judo's traditional classification it is primarily a pin, but its choking potential was recognized and developed extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. The arm triangle became one of the most common submission finishes in the UFC, used effectively by fighters including Khabib Nurmagomedov and Rafael dos Anjos from top position. [2] In modern BJJ competition, arm triangle systems have been developed from virtually every top position.
Effectiveness
The arm triangle (kata-gatame) is one of the highest-percentage chokes from top position, using the opponent's own trapped shoulder as a compression point against the neck to create bilateral carotid occlusion. [1],[2] The technique works identically in gi and no-gi, making it a staple in both BJJ competition and MMA. [1] When applied from side control with correct sprawl pressure, defensive options are extremely limited. [2],[3]
Lineage
Competition Record
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Action — Lateral compression of neck and arm
Joints Affected — Neck (carotid arteries), shoulder, upper arm
Torque Direction — Side pressure compressing arteries; slight rotation of neck and shoulder stabilizes hold
Position & Entry
From mount — Slide around opponent’s trapped arm, lock head
From guard — Control opponent’s arm, pivot to side
From side control — Underhook arm, drive shoulder into neck
From north-south — Wrap arm around head, apply shoulder pressure
From turtle — Wrap arm, roll into kata gatame
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Can render unconscious quickly; requires careful training and tap awareness.
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
FIAS Sport Sambo— no chokes in sport sambo, FIAS Rules 2024
Restricted
IBJJF— with caution
Legal
IJFUnified MMAADCC
Training Notes
✓Practice slowly; focus on squeezing carotid arteries, not neck vertebrae. Use compliant partners. Ensure quick tap awareness.
Common Mistakes
!Head placement too high or low
!Insufficient shoulder pressure
!Arm not fully trapped
!Poor body alignment reduces choke effectiveness
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinkingTwo-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locksTurn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressurePosture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle
Setup Chain
1Slide around opponent’s trapped arm, lock head
2Control opponent’s arm, pivot to side
3side control
4Underhook arm, drive shoulder into neck
5north-south
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification (肩固め Kata-gatame)
1BookKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification (肩固め Kata-gatame)
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification (肩固め Kata-gatame)
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
4CitationKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification (肩固め Kata-gatame)
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification (肩固め Kata-gatame)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, long legs relative to torso
Favours
longer limbs for easier figure-four lock around head and arm
Key muscles
hip adductors, hamstrings, quadriceps
Sub-techniques
Notes
Can transition from failed triangle or armbar attempts; commonly chained in positional sequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you transition from an Americana attempt into an arm triangle choke?
Instead of completing the Americana, grab under the opponent's head with your arm and hand, then search to turn as if you're attacking—this creates the arm triangle position. Rachel Smith demonstrates this as a effective transition when the Americana isn't available.
How does the Arm Triangle Choke work?
The arm triangle choke (kata-gatame) is a family of blood chokes that use the attacker's arms in combination with the opponent's own trapped shoulder to compress both carotid arteries. The defining mechanism is a triangular structure formed by the attacker's arm on one side of the neck and the opponent's own shoulder pressed against the other side, creating bilateral vascular compression.
Where does the Arm Triangle Choke come from?
Kata-gatame (肩固め, shoulder hold) is one of the original Kodokan Judo osaekomi-waza (pinning techniques) classified by Jigoro Kano. In judo's traditional classification it is primarily a pin, but its choking potential was recognized and developed extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.
How dangerous is the Arm Triangle Choke?
Danger: 9/10 | Can render unconscious quickly; requires careful training and tap awareness.
How do I set up the Arm Triangle Choke?
The standard setup chain: Slide around opponent’s trapped arm, lock head → Control opponent’s arm, pivot to side → side control → Underhook arm, drive shoulder into neck → north-south.
How do I defend against the Arm Triangle Choke?
Standard counters include: Tuck Chin — protect the neck by lowering the chin to prevent the choke from sinking / Two-on-One Grip Fight — use both hands to strip the choking grip before it locks / Turn Into — rotate toward the choking arm to relieve carotid pressure / Posture Up — straighten the spine and create distance to break the choking angle.
What are the variants of the Arm Triangle Choke?
Common variants: Classic arm triangle (head-and-arm); Mounted arm triangle; Side control arm triangle; North-south arm triangle; From turtle to arm triangle roll.
How effective is the Arm Triangle Choke in competition?
The arm triangle is a frequent finish in UFC competition. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones, and numerous other champions have finished fights with the arm triangle.
What are common mistakes when doing the Arm Triangle Choke?
Top errors to watch for: Head placement too high or low / Insufficient shoulder pressure / Arm not fully trapped / Poor body alignment reduces choke effectiveness.
What are other names for the Arm Triangle Choke?
The Arm Triangle Choke is also known as Kata Gatame, Arm Triangle, Side Headlock, Kata Gatame Choke.