How to Do a Triangle Choke
In judo and jiu-jitsu, chokes are an important part of self-defense and high-level competition. One of the more flamboyant and effective chokes in the grappling arts is the sankaku-jime, or the triangle choke. If you want to learn how to execute this graceful yet very dangerous maneuver, here’s how to do it properly and safely.
What A Triangle Choke Does
Choke maneuvers in the mixed martial arts are divided into two categories:
Air chokes are used to compress the windpipe, and prevent the attacker from breathing.
Blood chokes are used to compress the jugular or carotid arteries, causing unconsciousness within seconds.
The sankaku-jime is an example of a blood choke. Most choking manuevers use the arms to restrain the opponent, but the triangle choke uses the arms. It is also called the figure-four leg choke, but it is called the “triangle choke” because the shape of the legs during the choke resemble the shape of a triangle.
The triangle choke is a very effective choke to use while mounted by the opponent. When executed properly, the triangle choke can cause unconsciousness within seconds.
Safety Precautions
The dangerous nature of the triangle choke makes it a banned move in many judo and jiu-jitsu competitions, but is legal in mixed martial arts. If the triangle choke is locked improperly, you can risk serious injury that may lead to painful suffocation or even paralysis (especially if you compress the spinal cord). Here are some important safety reminders you should follow
Unless absolutely necessary, do not hold a locked-in triangle choke for more than three seconds.
Do not execute a triangle choke if you do not have the rank or qualifications needed to perform it. Many organizations and schools have strict standards on ranks that cannot perform a triangle choke, and there are only a few situations where the manuever is allowed.
Triangle chokes require flexibility, especially from the lower back, hips and the lower body. An improperly-executed triangle choke can cause back injuries if your lower back and hips are not limber.
Performing the Triangle Choke
The basic triangle choke requires a lot of flexibility, and is executed from underneath the mounted position. To perform the triangle choke, follow these steps:
triangle choke
While pinned in the mounted position, hold one arm of your opponent while raising both your legs to the neck of your opponent. Swing and swivel your hips to get as much leverage as possible.
As you trap your opponent’s arm, encircle your leading leg (your right leg if you’re right-handed, and your left leg if you’re left-handed) around the neck of the attacker. The hamstrings and calves should now compress the arteries beside the neck.
To lock the choke in, cross your other leg over the leading foot. If you have weak legs, you may need to bend your knee over the leading foot to completely lock in the choke. Your legs should now resemble the shape of the number “4.”
Hold on to the trapped arm, and make sure that it is inside the figure-four. If the arm is outside the figure-four, you risk an easy reversal or even getting countered with a slam.
To apply pressure to the choke, apply pressure to the choking leg with the extended leg, and swing your hips forward, while pulling on the trapped arm. From here, you can perform a wristlock to the trapped arm.
Hold the choke until your opponent taps out.
The triangle choke is a very quick and effective way to end a mixed martial arts bout, or to neutralize an attacker. With these tips, you can now start to master one of the most flashy and dangerous choking manuevers in all of martial arts.