Initial Position and Shoulder Placement

When caught in a triangle choke, the first defensive priority is creating separation between the shoulder and throat to establish breathing room. The defender places their hands immediately to block the opponent's controlling arm and prevent the head from being pulled deeper into the lock.

Foot Placement on Biceps

The defender steps one foot at a time onto the opponent's biceps while securing wrist control. This positioning allows the defender to push away and create space by driving their heels into the opponent's armpits, destabilizing the triangle geometry.

The Escape Transition

As the triangle begins to loosen from the pressure applied, the defender immediately transitions by inserting one leg (typically the right) under the opponent's knee while keeping the other leg positioned to control the opponent's movement. This leg positioning eliminates the opponent's rolling and escape options.

Heel Hook Setup and Mechanics

The defender sits back while keeping the opponent's knee bent, which increases the effectiveness of the heel hook by applying pressure to the meniscus and surrounding knee structures. Foot placement is critical—positioning under the knee prevents the opponent from applying counter toe holds.

Managing Active Resistance

During the escape sequence, the opponent may actively resist by pulling the defender's head or fighting the position. The defender maintains elbow positioning against the body and manages the battle by controlling the wrist and executing the positional progression methodically rather than expecting an immediate submission.

Final Heel Hook Application

Once seated back with the heel hook secured, the defender controls the opponent's leg position by tweaking and adjusting pressure. The submission should be applied with control—the goal is positional dominance and joint stress rather than explosive cranking that risks serious injury to the opponent's knee.

10th Planet Counters: Einstein's Triangle Escape

Alder Hampel

10th Planet Escape

2 min read·6 key moments·PT5M52S video

Key Takeaways

•Initial Position and Shoulder Placement
•Foot Placement on Biceps
•The Escape Transition
•Heel Hook Setup and Mechanics

Scott "Einstein" Epstein shows us how he gets out of the triangle choke

Related Techniques

MMA Escape

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this video teach about 10th planet escape?

This video covers initial position and shoulder placement, foot placement on biceps, the escape transition. It provides detailed instruction from Alder Hampel.

How long does it take to learn 10th planet escape?

The basic mechanics can be understood in a single session, but developing reliable execution requires consistent drilling over weeks of practice. This 6-part breakdown helps structure your training by isolating each phase of the technique.