S Mount Triangle Strangle - Andre Galvao
0
Triangular Strangle·Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ | World's Best BJJ Academy - Home Page
NOW 35%OFF your first year - ALL ACCESS: https://live.atosbjjondemand.com/checkout/subscribe/purchase?code=LEVELUP35&pla…
Triangular Strangle
SubFamily三角絞(Sankaku-jime)
TraditionalTranslation: Triangle Strangle
Overview
The triangular strangle (sankaku-jime) is the primary triangle choke — the attacker locks a figure-four with the legs around the opponent's head and one arm, squeezing the thighs together to compress both carotid arteries. [1],[2] The trapped arm acts as a wedge against one side of the neck while the attacker's thigh compresses the other side. Applied most commonly from closed guard, the triangle can also be executed from mount, side control, and back control. [3],[4],[5]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
The triangular strangle uses the triangular configuration of the legs (sankaku) to compress the carotid arteries, one of the most mechanically efficient choke configurations. [1]
Lineage
The triangular strangle was developed in judo as sankaku-jime and became one of the most important techniques in BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Triangular strangles are among the most commonly finished submissions across all grappling competition formats. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Bilateral compression of the carotid arteries — restricts blood flow to the brain, causing unconsciousness within seconds
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (lateral flexion), glenohumeral joint of the trapped arm (if arm-in), nuchal region
Force Vector — Lateral squeeze creates inward pressure on both sides of the neck simultaneously
Choking Mechanism — Vascular strangle — occludes carotid arteries and jugular veins, distinct from airway (tracheal) chokes
Position & Entry
From back control with seatbelt — Establish hooks or body triangle, slide choking arm under the chin, connect hands and squeeze
From turtle top (back take) — Break down the turtle, insert hooks, secure seatbelt grip, slide to back control and apply the choke
From standing back clinch — Secure rear body lock, drag opponent to the mat while inserting hooks, transition to choking position
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Triangle chokes compress the carotid arteries using the legs; loss of consciousness in 8-12 seconds
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The triangular strangle is the general term for any choking technique that uses a triangular limb configuration to compress the neck — encompassing triangle chokes from all positions and angles (Kashiwazaki, Shimewaza, 1992)
✓The 'triangular' descriptor refers to the geometric relationship: one limb crosses the neck, another limb locks behind the first, and the opponent's own body (shoulder or arm) provides the third side of the triangle
✓Triangular strangles work because they incorporate the opponent's body into the choking mechanism — the attacker provides two sides of compression while the opponent's shoulder involuntarily provides the third
✓The triangular principle applies with arms (arm triangles, D'Arce, Anaconda) and legs (triangle choke, mounted triangle, rear triangle) — the geometry is universal
✓In judo, the sankaku family encompasses multiple triangular strangulations from different positions — the underlying principle predates the BJJ triangle choke by decades
✓The triangular strangle is biomechanically efficient: it requires less strength than bilateral compression because the opponent's own body provides one side of the force couple
✓Masahiko Kimura and later Rolls Gracie were instrumental in developing triangular strangling techniques that form the foundation of modern submission grappling
Common Mistakes
!Confusing the triangular strangle with a headscissors — the triangle specifically includes one arm to create the three-sided compression; excluding the arm changes the mechanics entirely
!Not understanding the three-side principle — identify which limb is across the neck, which provides the lock, and which body part (shoulder/arm) creates the third pressure point
!Applying the triangle shape without proper tightness — the geometric shape alone doesn't choke; the triangle must be tight with no gaps
!Not cutting the angle — triangular strangles require angular displacement to drive the shoulder into the neck; straight-on application is less effective
!Ignoring the opponent's defensive hand — the free hand will try to create space inside the triangle; manage it actively
!Over-squeezing with muscles — the triangular strangle works through structure and angle, not raw squeezing; mispositioned triangles don't work regardless of strength
!Not studying multiple triangle positions — the principle works from guard, mount, back, and side control; limiting practice to one position limits the tool
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
1Achieve Controlling Position — secure the position from which the choke is applied
2Isolate the Neck — clear defending hands and establish access to the throat
3Set the Grip — lock the choking configuration (arm, lapel, or leg placement)
4Apply Pressure — squeeze to compress the carotid arteries for the finish
Sources & References
Primary Source
Kodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime
1BookKodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime
Official Kodokan ground technique classification system
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationKodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime
Japanese terminology sourced from Kodokan Judo — Sankaku-jime
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most important thing to focus on when setting up the triangular strangle from mount?
According to Andre Galvao, you must keep your opponent's arm connected to their body and avoid letting them disconnect their elbow, as this gives them a powerful frame to escape. Keeping the arm tight against the body prevents them from framing effectively.
How do I position my legs correctly when transitioning to the triangular strangle?
Andre Galvao emphasizes mounting over the bicep and tricep area rather than the forearm, then bringing your opponent's bicep against their face before going into an ass mount position. Once your knee hits the floor, connect their elbow to their body and clamp your legs super tight.
How can I prevent my opponent from escaping or bridging out of the position?
Pull their head toward you consistently—if their head touches the mat, they can bridge more easily. Keep a pillow grip with your shin to block the bridge, and maintain constant pressure by squeezing your legs while keeping their arm pinned against their body.
What grip should I use to control my opponent's arm?
Andre Galvao recommends using a C-grip on the wrist and then pulsing it to the floor before getting an underhook. This allows you to control the arm effectively while you position yourself for the strangle.
How does the Triangular Strangle work?
The triangular strangle (sankaku-jime) is the primary triangle choke — the attacker locks a figure-four with the legs around the opponent's head and one arm, squeezing the thighs together to compress both carotid arteries. The trapped arm acts as a wedge against one side of the neck while the attacker's thigh compresses the other side.
Where does the Triangular Strangle come from?
Sankaku-jime (三角絞め) is classified in Kodokan Judo's shime-waza division. Rolls Gracie is widely credited with popularizing the triangle from guard in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu during the 1970s-1980s.
Is the Triangular Strangle legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Triangular Strangle?
Danger rating 8/10. Triangle chokes compress the carotid arteries using the legs; loss of consciousness in 8-12 seconds
How do I set up the Triangular Strangle?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Triangular Strangle?
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 Triangular Strangle?
Common variants: Standard triangle (classic figure-four leg lock around the head and one arm …); Reverse triangle (legs locked from behind or inverted angle for different a…); Mounted triangle (applied from mount position with gravity assisting the sq…); No-arm triangle (both arms excluded, legs-only compression on the neck).
How effective is the Triangular Strangle in competition?
Triangular strangles are among the most commonly finished submissions across all grappling competition formats.
What are common mistakes when doing the Triangular Strangle?
Top errors to watch for: Confusing the triangular strangle with a headscissors — the triangle specifically includes one arm to create the thre… / Not understanding the three-side principle — identify which limb is across the neck, which provides the lock, and whi… / Applying the triangle shape without proper tightness — the geometric shape alone doesn't choke; the triangle must be … / Not cutting the angle — triangular strangles require angular displacement to drive the shoulder into the neck; straig….
What are other names for the Triangular Strangle?
The Triangular Strangle is also known as Sankaku-jime, Triangle Choke Family, Leg Triangle.