Don’t Get Triangled Up: How to Escape the Triangle Choke in BJJ

The triangle choke is a common submission in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and once it’s locked in, it can be a very difficult position to escape from. However, there are several techniques that you can use to break free from the triangle choke, and one of the most effective is the triangle choke escape. In this post, we will go over the triangle choke escape and break it down step by step.

Understanding the Triangle Choke

The first step to escaping a triangle choke is understanding how it works. The triangle choke is a submission hold that involves wrapping your legs around your opponent’s neck and arm in a triangular shape, cutting off their blood flow and causing them to tap out. To perform the triangle choke, your opponent will usually need to have you in their guard, with your head and one arm inside their legs.

Recognizing When You’re in Trouble

The key to successfully escaping a triangle choke is recognizing when you’re in trouble early on. If your opponent has you in their guard and is actively trying to set up a triangle choke, you need to be aware of the danger and take steps to defend yourself before it’s too late. Some common signs that your opponent is setting up a triangle choke include them pulling your arm across your body or pushing your head down towards their hip.

Posturing Up and Creating Space

If your opponent has already locked in the triangle choke, your first priority is to posture up and create space between you and your opponent. This can be easier said than done, as your opponent will likely be squeezing their legs tightly around your neck and arm. However, by pushing off the ground with your feet and lifting your hips up, you can create enough space to slide your trapped arm out of the choke and work towards a better position.

Stacking Your Opponent

If posturing up and creating space isn’t enough to escape the triangle choke, your next option is to stack your opponent. Stacking involves putting your weight on your opponent and driving them towards the ground, which can force them to release the triangle choke. To stack your opponent, you can place one hand on their hip and the other on their knee, then drive forward with your hips and shoulders.

Counterattacking with a Kimura

Another option for escaping a triangle choke is to counterattack with a kimura. To do this, you’ll need to free your trapped arm from the triangle choke and grab onto your opponent’s arm. From there, you can work to isolate their arm and apply a kimura, which can force them to release the triangle choke and give you the opportunity to escape.

Rolling Out of the Choke

If all else fails, you can try rolling out of the triangle choke. This involves rolling over your shoulder towards your trapped arm, which can create enough space to free yourself from the choke. However, this should be a last resort option, as it can also put you in a vulnerable position for your opponent to attack with other submissions.