How to do the Rear Triangle Choke (or 'Ura Sankaku')
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Triangle From Back·Stephan Kesting
Rob Biernacki breaks down the rear triangle choke (aka Ura Sankaku). This is from the back attacks module that will be …
Triangle From Back
Species三角絞（後ろから）(Sankaku-jime — From Back)
TraditionalTranslation: Triangle Strangle — From Back
Overview
The triangle choke from back control is applied by the attacker who has back mount and threads one leg across the side of the opponent's neck while locking the other leg behind the knee to form the triangular figure. [1],[2] Unlike the standard front-facing triangle, the rear triangle compresses the carotid arteries from behind, using the opponent's own trapped shoulder as the wedge against one carotid and the thigh against the other. [1] The attacker adjusts the angle by turning perpendicular to the opponent and squeezing the legs while pulling the head to complete the strangle. [1],[2],[3]
History & Origin
The rear triangle choke evolved as back-attack systems in BJJ became more sophisticated in the 2000s and 2010s. [1],[2] Competitors discovered that when the rear naked choke was defended by tucking the chin, transitioning to a triangle from the back provided an alternative strangle. [1],[3] Ryan Hall and other triangle specialists helped popularize the rear triangle as a systematic component of the back-attack arsenal in competitive submission grappling. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
The triangle from back control uses the legs to strangle from behind, an alternative to the RNC when hand fighting is unsuccessful. [1]
Lineage
Back triangle chokes were developed in modern BJJ competition as back control attacks expanded beyond the RNC. [1]
Competition Record
Back triangles are increasingly common in ADCC and no-gi competition. [1]
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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
Entries Into Rear Triangle Back Position by John Danaher
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Triangle From Back·BJJ Fanatics
John Danaher demonstrates one of the best Jiu Jitsu Techniques for Entries Into Rear Triangle Back Position. Here John …
2 videos
What Instructors Say
The triangle choke from back position, known as Ushiro Sankaku or Ura Sankaku in judo terminology, is a leg-based strangulation applied when controlling an opponent's back. John Danaher (BJJ Fanatics) emphasizes entry from turtle position using a tight waist control, breaking the opponent to their hip, then securing one arm by locking the tricep with the knee before transitioning to a unified leg position. He describes progressing through a trap triangle configuration before adjusting to a figure-four leg lock for the finish. Stephan Kesting (Grappler Arts) approaches the technique from rear mount position, particularly when standard back attacks fail, and stresses proper triangle alignment—positioning the calf across the side of the neck with the hip flexor driving the shoulder into the neck rather than over the back of the neck. Both instructors agree on the importance of arm trapping and unified lower legs, though Kesting notes the technique can succeed without arm entrapment if alignment is correct. Kesting additionally describes two triangle variations depending on which leg crosses, and emphasizes the posture break as an important finishing detail. Both recognize this technique as particularly effective for shorter-legged practitioners against larger opponents.
Synthesized from 2 instructors
- BJJ Fanatics — Entries Into Rear Triangle Back Position by John Danaher: Detailed entry sequence from turtle position using tight waist control, hip breakdown, arm securing, and knee-behind-tricep positioning; described progression through trap triangle to figure-four finish with multiple angle variations.
- Grappler Arts — How to do the Rear Triangle Choke (or 'Ura Sankaku'): Triangle alignment principles from rear mount, proper calf and hip positioning over neck and shoulder, distinction between two triangle variations based on leg placement, and emphasis on effective finish without requiring arm trapping.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Back triangle uses the legs from back control; combines back dominance with leg choke
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
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 triangle from back control applies the triangle choke from behind the opponent — one leg crosses the neck while the other locks the figure-four, and the opponent's own arm provides the third compression point (Danaher, Back Attacks: Enter the System, 2018)
✓From back mount: release one hook and shoot that leg over the opponent's shoulder and across the front of the neck — then lock the figure-four by hooking the ankle behind the other leg's knee
✓The rear triangle is devastating because the opponent cannot see the leg coming: the attack initiates behind their field of vision and is locked before they can react
✓The trapped arm from behind: one of the opponent's arms is caught inside the triangle — their shoulder is compressed into the carotid from behind, the same mechanism as the front triangle
✓Finishing the rear triangle: squeeze the knees together and extend the hips — the opponent's back is against the attacker's chest, preventing them from creating distance
✓The rear triangle often appears when the opponent defends rear naked choke attempts: clearing the choking arm from the neck exposes the shoulder-arm configuration for the triangle
✓The transition from back hooks to rear triangle is a natural progression: when one hook is already high on the opponent's body, sliding it across the neck is a small movement
Common Mistakes
!Releasing both hooks to shoot the triangle — maintain one hook or body triangle while the other leg shoots across the neck; releasing both loses back control entirely
!Not trapping the arm — the rear triangle requires one arm inside the leg loop; if both arms are outside, it becomes a headscissors rather than a triangle
!Attempting on an opponent who has already turned to face you — the rear triangle requires the opponent to face away; from a face-to-face position, use a front triangle instead
!Not squeezing the knees together — the rear triangle's compression comes from knee-together adductor engagement; open knees allow blood flow
!Reaching too far for the figure-four lock — if the leg can't reach the ankle-behind-knee lock, the legs are not positioned correctly; adjust hip position
!Not controlling the opponent's upper body — from the back, use an underhook or seatbelt to prevent the opponent from turning into or away from the triangle
!Neglecting the angle — even from the back, a slight angular adjustment can improve shoulder-into-neck compression
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 common mistake when setting up a triangle from the back?
Stephan Kesting emphasizes that the triangle angle must be lined up correctly—it should go over the side of the neck, not over the back of the neck and shoulder, or it won't choke effectively. You need to scoot back far enough so your calf caps off the arteries and your hip flexor drives the opponent's shoulder into their neck.
How do I finish the rear triangle choke once I have it locked?
According to Stephan Kesting, make sure your Achilles tendon insertion is cutting off the artery, position your hip so the opponent's shoulder rotates into their neck, and use your thigh to break their posture to complete the choke.
Can I set up a triangle from the back if my opponent is in turtle position?
John Danaher explains that from turtle position, you can place your knee behind the opponent's elbow, kick your foot in around the corner, add your second leg, sit down to the floor, and then transition to finish with the triangle (Ushiro Senkaku).
How does the Triangle From Back work?
The triangle choke from back control is applied by the attacker who has back mount and threads one leg across the side of the opponent's neck while locking the other leg behind the knee to form the triangular figure. Unlike the standard front-facing triangle, the rear triangle compresses the carotid arteries from behind, using the opponent's own trapped shoulder as the wedge against one carotid and the thigh against the other.
Where does the Triangle From Back come from?
The rear triangle choke evolved as back-attack systems in BJJ became more sophisticated in the 2000s and 2010s. Competitors discovered that when the rear naked choke was defended by tucking the chin, transitioning to a triangle from the back provided an alternative strangle.
Is the Triangle From Back 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 Triangle From Back?
Danger rating 8/10. Back triangle uses the legs from back control; combines back dominance with leg choke
How do I set up the Triangle From Back?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Triangle From Back?
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 Triangle From Back?
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 Triangle From Back in competition?
Back triangles are increasingly common in ADCC and no-gi competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Triangle From Back?
Top errors to watch for: Releasing both hooks to shoot the triangle — maintain one hook or body triangle while the other leg shoots across the… / Not trapping the arm — the rear triangle requires one arm inside the leg loop; if both arms are outside, it becomes a… / Attempting on an opponent who has already turned to face you — the rear triangle requires the opponent to face away; … / Not squeezing the knees together — the rear triangle's compression comes from knee-together adductor engagement; open….
What are other names for the Triangle From Back?
The Triangle From Back is also known as Sankaku-jime — From Back, Rear Triangle, Ushiro-sankaku-jime, Back Triangle.