Triangle Choke: The Detail That Changes Everything ( Complete Guide )
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Triangle From Open Guard·JonThomasBJJ
The Triangle Choke is one of the most important submissions in jiu jitsu, but so many people struggle to finish it. Thi…
Triangle From Open Guard
Species三角絞（オープンガードから）(Sankaku-jime — From Open Guard)
TraditionalTranslation: Triangle Strangle — From Open Guard
Overview
The triangle choke from open guard is applied from various open guard configurations — spider guard, lasso guard, De La Riva guard, or simply open guard with feet on hips — by shooting one leg across the opponent's shoulder line and trapping the head and one arm inside the triangle lock. [1],[2] Open guard provides greater range of motion for leg elevation and hip movement compared to closed guard, allowing faster and more dynamic triangle entries. [1] The attacker uses grips on sleeves, collar, or wrists to control distance and create the opening for the triangle lock. [1],[2]
History & Origin
Open guard triangles evolved alongside the expansion of modern BJJ guard systems in the 2000s, as competitors moved away from closed guard toward more dynamic open guard positions. [1],[2] The development of spider guard, De La Riva guard, and other open guard frameworks provided new entry angles for the triangle that were faster and less dependent on breaking posture. [1] Competitors like Braulio Estima and Leandro Lo demonstrated the effectiveness of open-guard triangle setups at the highest levels of competition. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Open guard triangles use hip mobility and leg dexterity to lock the triangle from various open guard positions. [1]
Lineage
Open guard triangles were developed as open guard systems expanded in modern BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Open guard triangles are common in IBJJF and ADCC 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 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
Videos
1 video
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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 triangle from open guard uses foot-on-hip, sleeve, or collar grips to manage distance and create the angle for a triangle entry from non-closed guard positions (Danaher, Triangles: Enter the System, 2017)
✓The open guard provides a unique setup platform: the feet push and pull the opponent's body while the hands control the arms — when one arm is extended or retracted, the triangle window opens
✓From spider guard: push one arm away with the foot while pulling the other arm in — then swing the pushing-side leg over the shoulder and behind the neck
✓From lasso guard: the lasso wrap on one arm creates the one-arm-in condition — unwrap and shoot the leg over for the triangle
✓The key difference from closed guard triangles: open guard triangles use momentum and timing rather than proximity and posture breaking — the leg swings into position from a longer range
✓The hip scoot is essential: as the leg shoots over the shoulder, scoot the hips closer to the opponent — distance must close for the lock to be achievable
✓Advanced open guard triangle players chain the attempt with sweeps: if the triangle doesn't lock, the angular momentum carries into a sweep — maintaining offensive pressure throughout
Common Mistakes
!Not hip-scooting as the leg shoots — the hips must advance toward the opponent during the leg entry; stationary hips leave the triangle too loose
!Abandoning all open guard grips during the entry — maintain at least one controlling grip to prevent the opponent from simply standing up and walking away
!Shooting the leg at a standing opponent with good posture — the triangle entry requires compromised posture; if they're standing tall, use the open guard grips to break posture first
!Not angling after locking — the same angle requirement applies from open guard; failure to pivot leaves the triangle loose
!Trying to muscle the opponent down into the triangle — open guard triangles work through timing and momentum, not force; pulling a posturing opponent into a triangle from distance is ineffective
!Not training the transition from open guard to triangle as a specific sequence — the footwork, hip movement, and timing are distinct from closed guard and must be drilled separately
!Leaving the bottom leg passive — the bottom leg should hook the opponent's body to prevent posturing and assist with angling
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
How do I make the triangle choke tight without relying on pulling the head?
Jon Thomas emphasizes stretching your leg straight so it cuts into the neck, and when your leg chops down, it conforms around the neck naturally—this creates tightness on its own. The key is contracting all the small muscles in your leg rather than just pulling the head; you want everything squeezing together to finish.
What should I do if my opponent tries to stack me while I'm setting up the triangle?
As your opponent starts stacking, drop your hip to the floor and arch your low back, driving to slide back and to the side rather than straight back. This side angle movement prevents them from collapsing your triangle, and you can also put your foot on the hip to maintain control.
How do I adjust the triangle if my opponent digs their elbow into the pocket to prevent me from dragging their arm across?
Bridge your hips all the way up to pop their elbow out of that pocket, then come behind the elbow and drag it across. Once you drag it across, drop your hip and return to your standard finishing mechanic.
Should I lock my feet at the ankle or use a different leg lock position?
Jon Thomas recommends that if you have longer legs or are fighting someone with a smaller neck, avoid locking at the foot. Instead, take your top knee and drive the head into the crook of your knee while latching high over your shin, which creates a very tight finish.
How does the Triangle From Open Guard work?
The triangle choke from open guard is applied from various open guard configurations — spider guard, lasso guard, De La Riva guard, or simply open guard with feet on hips — by shooting one leg across the opponent's shoulder line and trapping the head and one arm inside the triangle lock. Open guard provides greater range of motion for leg elevation and hip movement compared to closed guard, allowing faster and more dynamic triangle entries.
Where does the Triangle From Open Guard come from?
Open guard triangles evolved alongside the expansion of modern BJJ guard systems in the 2000s, as competitors moved away from closed guard toward more dynamic open guard positions. The development of spider guard, De La Riva guard, and other open guard frameworks provided new entry angles for the triangle that were faster and less dependent on breaking posture.
Is the Triangle From Open Guard 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 Open Guard?
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 Triangle From Open Guard?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Controlling Position → Isolate the Neck → Set the Grip → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Triangle From Open Guard?
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 Open Guard?
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 Open Guard in competition?
Open guard triangles are common in IBJJF and ADCC competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Triangle From Open Guard?
Top errors to watch for: Not hip-scooting as the leg shoots — the hips must advance toward the opponent during the leg entry; stationary hips … / Abandoning all open guard grips during the entry — maintain at least one controlling grip to prevent the opponent fro… / Shooting the leg at a standing opponent with good posture — the triangle entry requires compromised posture; if they'… / Not angling after locking — the same angle requirement applies from open guard; failure to pivot leaves the triangle ….
What are other names for the Triangle From Open Guard?
The Triangle From Open Guard is also known as Sankaku-jime — From Open Guard, Open Guard Triangle, Spider Guard Triangle.