Let's take a look at the triangle choke through the eyes of a white belt and how that changes as you work towards your black belt. The triangle choke is a strangulation, generally performed with the legs, encircling a head and arm together, in an ever tightening triangular noose, which I form with my legs, and may assist with my arms. The triangle choke is often first taught from the guard, and it begins by
separating one arm from the rest of the body. If Jordan reaches back between my
legs, that's ideal, or if I pull on his hand and he pulls back, that also clears the way for my leg to shoot over their shoulder and into the triangle position. The neck and trapped shoulder are then squeezed together for the submission. Or, unconsciousness ensues. Though not necessary for the choke, the
arm is often crossed over, which can allow for easier adjustments, in the angles you're creating pressure with through your legs.
Oh, and grab your shin. These refinements increase your efficiency and rate of finishing. And let's keep it real: Finishing is fun. But as your belt color
darkens, you find out there's even more fun in setting it up. So at blue belt, learn to attack the arm. They'll pull it out, and separate it from their body, setting up the triangle position for you. Or, you can use your knee to break his
grip, push over the bicep, and shoulder, and swing into position. Or simply stage the foot. Put it on the bicep and get that much closer to your goal, shooting your hips up, ensnaring and turning in one motion, to increase your efficiency. Or to be a little less obvious, attack their balance from the opposite corner. Knock him towards you, then shoot your leg over. Let's throw a choke in the game. Go for the guillotine. We attack the neck, he pulls his arm in to protect it.
All Jordan needed was a reason to go where I wanted him to. At purple belt you're making things easier by leaning into your guard
game. Angle yourself out, and work your knees into the mix. You should always be
positioned to attack. Which could mean slipping your shins into a triangle. Or, an omoplata to a triangle. Or, perhaps a triangle to a wrist lock. Don't underestimate the wrist lock. Brown belts do more off-balancing. Everything's a probe. You might attempt a hip bump, but allow them to catch their balance.
Their arm separates from their body, so slip the leg under, and the
triangle is waiting for you. Or off-balance them with a sweep. Pass the arm over in the transition, and allow your opponent to sit back up into the triangle. This is a classic maneuver if the cross-body arm lock is well defended. So just slip your leg into position, and let it cause the next action. Let it happen. Adding one additional step I can sweep Jordan with a lasso guard. The threat of that off-balancing, or kuzushi, will make him pull away from me, and yet
that pull puts me in position to spin underneath and finish with a triangle
choke. But things are Not Always So. The triangle can also be used as a holding position, or Osaekomi in Japanese, from the top, or from the bottom. This kind of positioning allows for greater control of their body, so I can then attack a single arm without an effective defense on their part. Similarly the reverse triangle allows you to attack their shoulder, their arm, and it gives you the option of switching back to the regular triangle.
The triangle doesn't have to be just a submission, just like jiu jitsu isn't just about
fighting. By black belt you're taking the triangle everywhere. You can get it from the mount. From the back. From a stiff arm by your opponent, which practically begs the triangle. That is, if you choose not to attack for the arm lock, which is also
there. Or just jump guard and shortcut to it.
That's what the black belt does. They move boldly, and see opportunities everywhere, where others… might see obstruction. The triangle is a teacher. It helps you think systematically, and understand the chain of causation. Once you see the chain, and learn to master
the setup to what you want, success will inevitably follow. This is what you're training for..
