Arm Triangle

  • BJJ
  • Mount Attacks
  • intermediate
  • Mount / side control
  • 3 steps

Trap one of the opponent’s arms across their own neck and squeeze with your shoulder to strangle. Also known as the Kata-gatame or the Head-and-arm choke. Here is the exact breakdown from the DARCE app: 3 steps, the details that make it work, and the mistakes to avoid.

Step by step

  1. 01

    Establish mount

    Control them and free one arm to push across.

    Arm Triangle step 1 of 3: Establish mount
  2. 02

    Trap the arm across the neck

    Push their arm across their own throat and drop your head beside theirs, shoulder pressing the arm into the neck.

    Arm Triangle step 2 of 3: Trap the arm across the neck
  3. 03

    Lock & squeeze

    Lock your hands, slide off to the side and squeeze your shoulder and their own arm into both sides of the neck.

    Arm Triangle step 3 of 3: Lock & squeeze

Key details

  • Their own shoulder chokes one side; your shoulder/arm the other.
  • Drop off to the side to finish, staying on top loosens it.
  • Lock your hands and keep your head tight to theirs.

Common mistakes

  • Leaving a gap so they slip the head out.
  • Squeezing without coming off to the side.
  • Letting them pull the trapped arm back across.

Related techniques

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