Arm Triangle from North South
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Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi·Tarik BJJ
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Translation: Shoulder Hold / Arm-and-Head Lock — From Open Guard – No-Gi
Range & classification
Category
Strike & defenceLocksClose rangeFighting multiple people
Distance
CloseMiddleLong
Body target
Upper bodyMiddle bodyLower body
Overview
A no-gi variation of the arm triangle choke applied from the open guard. Without the aid of collar grips, the attacker uses arm threading, shoulder pressure, and hip angling to isolate the opponent’s head and arm. Unlike closed guard, control must be maintained with hooks, hip movement, or grips on the opponent’s arms to keep them trapped while finishing the choke.
History & Origin
Adapted from closed guard and half guard arm triangle concepts. Became popular in no-gi grappling as open guard variations developed in submission grappling and MMA.
Country of origin· shown in random order
- BrazilBJJ, Submission Grappling, MMA
- Japan肩固め（オープンガードから・ノーギ）(Kata Gatame — From Open Guard – No-Gi)BJJ, Submission Grappling
- USASubmission Grappling, MMA
Effectiveness
Effective in no-gi when strong hip angling and leg control are maintained; requires precise distance management from open guard to trap the arm before the opponent can disengage. [1]
Lineage
The arm triangle from open guard in no-gi was developed for modern submission grappling competition. [1]
Competition Record
Open guard arm triangles appear in no-gi competition, particularly at ADCC events. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Action — Lateral compression of neck and arm using shoulder pressure and arm positioning
Joints Affected — Neck (carotid arteries), shoulder, upper arm
Torque Direction — Side pressure from hip pivot, hooks, and arm control
Position & Entry
From open guard — Thread arm under opponent’s head, trap far arm, adjust hips and hooks to control posture, angle off to the side, apply choke with shoulder drive.
Variants
Can use butterfly hooks, lasso-style leg placement, or shin-to-bicep control to stabilize the opponent’s posture before finishing the choke.
Videos
1 video
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
9
Extreme9/10
Can render opponent unconscious quickly if held properly
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
FIAS Sport Sambo— no chokes in sport sambo, FIAS Rules 2024
Restricted
IJF— rarely used no-gi
Legal
IBJJFUnified MMAADCC
Training Notes
✓Control is harder in open guard. Focus on grips and hip movement. Apply gradually and with control to prevent injury. Beginners should focus on establishing control before squeezing.
Common Mistakes
!Losing control of opponent’s posture
!Weak hooks or hip control
!Shallow arm threading
!Relying solely on arm squeeze
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
1open guard
2Thread arm under opponent’s head, trap far arm, adjust hips and hooks to control posture, angle off to the side, apply choke with shoulder drive.
3Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied
4Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
5Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
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
Notes
Can follow failed guillotine, failed triangle, or failed arm drag attempts from open guard. Useful when opponent drives forward into open guard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create the proper angle when setting up an arm triangle from open guard?
Place your opponent's bicep on the far side and walk your hips towards their legs—this hip movement creates the necessary angle for the choke to work effectively.
What should I focus on if my opponent is defending the arm triangle?
Do the work on controlling the arm even if you need to feint an attack on the forearm; when your opponent defends that fake attack, you can switch to the actual choke.
How does the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi work?
A no-gi variation of the arm triangle choke applied from the open guard. Without the aid of collar grips, the attacker uses arm threading, shoulder pressure, and hip angling to isolate the opponent’s head and arm.
Where does the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi come from?
Adapted from closed guard and half guard arm triangle concepts. Became popular in no-gi grappling as open guard variations developed in submission grappling and MMA.
How dangerous is the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi?
Danger: 9/10 | Can render opponent unconscious quickly if held properly
How do I set up the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi?
The standard setup chain: open guard → Thread arm under opponent’s head, trap far arm, adjust hips and hooks to control posture, angle off to the side, apply choke with shoulder drive. → Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip.
How do I defend against the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi?
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 — From Open Guard – No-Gi?
Common variants: Can use butterfly hooks, lasso-style leg placement, or shin-to-bicep control to stabilize the opponent’s posture before finishing the choke..
How effective is the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi in competition?
Open guard arm triangles appear in no-gi competition, particularly at ADCC events.
What are common mistakes when doing the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi?
Top errors to watch for: Losing control of opponent’s posture / Weak hooks or hip control / Shallow arm threading / Relying solely on arm squeeze.
What are other names for the Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi?
The Arm Triangle Choke — From Open Guard – No-Gi is also known as Kata Gatame — From Open Guard – No-Gi, Arm Triangle from Open Guard, Open Guard No-Gi Kata Gatame, No-Gi Head-and-Arm Choke from Open Guard.