Standard Triangle

Variety

三角絞(Sankaku-jime)

Traditional

Translation: Triangle Strangle

Overview

The standard triangle choke from closed guard is the foundational variety of the triangle family, where the attacker locks a figure-four leg configuration around the opponent's head and one arm from bottom guard. ^[1] The attacker isolates one arm inside the triangle while pushing the other arm outside, then locks the triangle by hooking the ankle behind the opposite knee, pulling the head down, and squeezing the thighs together. ^[1],[2] The trapped arm's own shoulder compresses one carotid artery while the attacker's thigh compresses the other, creating bilateral vascular occlusion. ^[2] The standard triangle from guard is one of the most frequently taught and successfully applied submissions across all levels of BJJ competition. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Classic Triangle Choke^[1]Standard Sankaku-jimeJP^[2]Basic Triangle^[3]

Used in

BJJ Judo Submission Grappling MMA Sambo

History & Origin

The triangle choke (sankaku-jime) originated in judo, with Yaichibei Kanemitsu credited with its development in the early 1900s. ^[1] It became one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's most iconic submissions, with the guard application being the most commonly taught and practiced version in academies worldwide. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

The standard triangle choke uses the legs to encircle the opponent's head and one arm, compressing the carotid arteries bilaterally. ^[1] It is one of the highest-percentage submissions in grappling. ^[2]

Lineage

The triangle choke (sankaku-jime) originated in judo and was adopted and refined in BJJ, becoming a signature technique. ^[1]

Competition Record

The triangle choke is one of the most commonly finished submissions in both IBJJF competition and UFC history. ^[1],[2]

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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 closed guard — Control one arm across the centreline, throw legs up to lock the triangle (one arm in, one arm out), angle hips and squeeze

From mount (mounted triangle) — Isolate one arm, slide the knee up and over the shoulder, lock the triangle from top position

From open guard (arm drag) — Drag one arm across, shoot the legs up to lock the figure-four leg configuration around head and arm

Variants

Standard triangle — classic figure-four leg lock around the head and one arm from guard

Reverse triangle — legs locked from behind or inverted angle for different attack setups

Mounted triangle — applied from mount position with gravity assisting the squeeze

No-arm triangle — both arms excluded, legs-only compression on the neck

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Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

Triangle chokes compress the carotid arteries using the legs; loss of consciousness in 8-12 seconds

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

Illegal

— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo

FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF

Legal

— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...

IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF

— shime-waza

IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF

— 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 RulesPDF

Training Notes

✓The standard triangle choke is the fundamental version applied from closed guard — the attacker controls posture, isolates one arm, shoots the leg over the head, and locks the triangle figure-four (Danaher, Triangles: Enter the System, 2017)

✓The setup sequence: from closed guard, control one of the opponent's arms (push it across or pull it down), then shoot the opposite-side leg over the shoulder and behind the neck

✓Lock the triangle: place the shin of the leg behind the neck across the back of the neck, then hook the ankle behind the knee of the other leg — the figure-four is formed

✓Before squeezing: cut the angle by pivoting on the back to create a perpendicular alignment — this drives the opponent's trapped shoulder into their own carotid

✓The standard finishing sequence: squeeze the knees together, pull the head down with both hands, and extend the hips slightly — this tightens all three sides of the triangle simultaneously

✓The standard triangle from guard is considered the highest-percentage triangle position: the guard provides hip control, distance management, and multiple setup options

✓Common triangle setups include: overhook from guard, hip-bump sweep fake, kimura grip transition, and opponent's stacking attempts — each creates the one-arm-in, one-arm-out configuration

Common Mistakes

!Not isolating one arm before shooting the leg — the triangle requires one arm in and one arm out; shooting the leg without arm control creates a loose position

!Locking the triangle without cutting the angle — the angle is essential; a straight-on triangle doesn't drive the shoulder into the neck

!Allowing the opponent to posture before locking — break posture immediately; an opponent who stands up in an unlocked triangle is dangerous

!Not pulling the head down — the head pull tightens the front of the triangle; without it, the opponent can posture up and relieve pressure

!Crossing the ankles — always lock ankle behind knee for the figure-four; crossed ankles provide a weaker lock and are susceptible to ankle locks

!Squeezing too early before the angle and head position are correct — premature squeezing wastes energy; get the position right first, then apply pressure

!Not managing the opponent's free hand — the free arm will frame against your hip or push your leg; overhook it or pin it to your chest

Related Techniques

Escape — defensive technique to relieve choking pressure and recover position Tap (Submission Signal) — the safety mechanism indicating the technique is effective

Counter Techniques

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

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

2SyllabusKodokan Judo — Official Katame-waza Classification

Official Kodokan ground technique classification system

3SyllabusKodokan Judo Institute — Official Waza Names

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Standard Triangle work?

Where does the Standard Triangle come from?

The triangle choke (sankaku-jime) originated in judo, with Yaichibei Kanemitsu credited with its development in the early 1900s. It became one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's most iconic submissions, with the guard application being the most commonly taught and practiced version in academies worldwide.

Is the Standard Triangle 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 Standard Triangle?

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 Standard Triangle?

The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.

How do I defend against the Standard Triangle?

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 Standard Triangle?

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 Standard Triangle in competition?

The triangle choke is one of the most commonly finished submissions in both IBJJF competition and UFC history.

What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Triangle?

Top errors to watch for: Not isolating one arm before shooting the leg — the triangle requires one arm in and one arm out; shooting the leg wi… / Locking the triangle without cutting the angle — the angle is essential; a straight-on triangle doesn't drive the sho… / Allowing the opponent to posture before locking — break posture immediately; an opponent who stands up in an unlocked… / Not pulling the head down — the head pull tightens the front of the triangle; without it, the opponent can posture up….

What are other names for the Standard Triangle?

The Standard Triangle is also known as Sankaku-jime, Classic Triangle Choke, Standard Sankaku-jime, Basic Triangle.

standard triangle sankaku jime submission choke and strangle lock leg choke triangular strangle triangle choke triangle from closed guard classic triangle choke standard sankaku jime basic triangle

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I stop my opponent from stacking me in a triangle?

Angle is key — you cannot finish a straight-on triangle against a strong opponent. Cut a perpendicular angle by grabbing their leg and walking your shoulders away. Keep the back of your knee directly on their neck (not high on the shoulder), and pull their head down or hook their leg to prevent them from lifting to stack.

Can I finish the triangle with short legs?

Yes. Cut a sharper 90-degree angle — this makes the choke dramatically tighter regardless of leg length. Focus on squeezing your thigh into one carotid artery and driving their shoulder into the other. If you cannot fully lock the figure-four, grab your own shin, pull them down, and use your other foot on their hip to lift your hips for a tighter angle.

What are the most common triangle choke mistakes?

Three critical mistakes: (1) Crossing ankles instead of locking the figure-four (foot in the knee pit), which weakens the lock and exposes you to ankle locks. (2) Not hiding their shoulder behind your leg — if you can see their shoulder, they can survive. Walk your shoulders away to fix this. (3) Not establishing one-arm-in, one-arm-out before shooting — both arms in means no choke, both arms out means no control.

What should I do if the triangle fails?

The triangle is part of the 'three brothers' trio — triangle, armbar, and omoplata. If they pull their arm out, switch to an armbar on the trapped arm. If they posture up and hide the arm, transition to an omoplata. If they turn to escape, look for a reverse triangle. Never abandon the position — always chain to the next attack.

How do I set up the triangle from closed guard?

Three proven setups: (1) Wrist control — control both wrists, put one foot on the hip, stuff the opposite hand into their chest, then throw the leg over. (2) Hip bump setup — go for a hip bump sweep, and when they push back, use that momentum to shoot the triangle. (3) From overhook — establish an overhook on one arm, hip escape to create the angle, then swing the leg over.