How to Apply a Triangle Choke from Open Guard in Mixed Martial Arts

Co-authored by Derrek Hofrichter

Last Updated: July 12, 2024 Fact Checked

The triangle choke is one of the most common and most effective choke holds in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts today. It is a move often done in the sport of Jiu Jitsu to earn points or to win matches. This instructional demonstration will explain how to perform the triangle choke from open guard.

Steps

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Your opponent's torso is in between your legs. This is called open guard as his movement is restricted slightly by your legs but not as much as it would be if your legs were wrapped around his torso or in “closed” guard.
- Now while your opponent is trapped in your guard he will typically be trying to throw punches or elbows into your face to do damage while looking for a way to escape. The key to begin setting up your triangle choke is to grab one of his arms while he is trying to punch you and to deflect it so it moves beside your head instead of hitting it. You also want to try to keep a hold of his arm in the process.
. Once your opponent's attack has been deflected and his other arm pushed out of the way you start to position your own body. You do this by using your legs to push your body forward on the ground so your opponents is further away from your head. With some practice you should be able to position your own body at the same time you are protecting yourself from the attack and maneuvering the punches.

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. After the previous steps have been completed your opponent should be off balance. You then want to pivot your hips forward to send your opponents body further down yours.^{[1]
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You now want to find a way to maneuver your one leg over the arm of your opponent that was pushed down and away from you thus making it easier when it comes time to sink in the choke.^{[2]
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- By now you should be in a position where your opponents head is down by your hips. You should also still have a firm hold of their one arm right by your shoulder. At this stage you begin to raise your legs up and over your opponents head.
You want to begin wrapping your one leg around your opponent's head and shoulders always making sure his own arm is trapped in front of his own neck and head while you bring your foot towards your other leg.^{[3]
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You can grab your shin to pull the leg across your opponent's back to ease this step, but don't pull on your foot as this can break your ankle.^{[4]
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You will notice that his own arm being forced against the neck restricts the airflow of your opponent. You can use one of your hands to pull down on your own foot to apply even more pressure which tightens the choke.^{[5]
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until your opponent either taps out, or the referee jumps in to stop the fight.

Community Q&A

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Question

What if the opponent catches my balls?

Community Answer

They probably won't because your balls are sitting snugly against their neck. If they do, either use your free arm to do something about it, or curl up in ball, whimpering in agony, and accept defeat

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Question

How do I do a mount position?

Pierce Koreniuk

Community Answer

Get your opponent on the ground. Next, place one leg on either side of the person. Press down on their shoulders with your hands and their hips with your whole body.

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If this happens to me, how do I escape?

Jonah

Community Answer

One of the better ways to escape a triangle choke is to keep control of your arm that is stuck inside the triangle and keep your bicep from coming across your throat. Then, use your shoulders to turn and pop your opponent's legs open. Once there is enough room, slide your trapped arm out or your other arm back into the guard.

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Tips

You can pull down on your opponent's head to increase the effectiveness of the choke.

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Make sure your opponent's shoulder is out of the triangle, not in.

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If everything has been done properly, the triangle choke can be accomplished in a matter of seconds.

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Warnings

This demonstration was done by a trained professional in a controlled environment. This is meant for instructional purposes only and should only be attempted by, or under the supervision of professionals or qualified instructors.

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