How to Get Out of a Triangle Choke

A triangle choke is a jiu-jitsu technique where the legs of an attacker are used to cinch up around one arm and the neck of an opponent simultaneously, cutting off circulation to the opponent's brain until he either submits or passes out. The choke made one of its first appearances in pop culture when Mel Gibson applied it to Gary Busey in the first "Lethal Weapon" movie in the final fight scene. A triangle should be defended as soon as the attacker attempts it since it is difficult to escape once it is fully locked in.

Instructions

    • 1

      Posture up into a higher position by leaning up and away from your opponent. The triangle is normally applied with the attacker on his back while the opponent is between his legs in the attacker's guard position. Posturing up right away creates more distance between your head and arm from the opponent's torso, making it tougher to tighten the choke. Bring your knees up against the opponent's butt in the process for more leverage.

    • 2

      Force the elbow of your trapped arm down and to the outside of your body to try to free up circulation on that side of the neck. Force your elbow down and away to loosen your opponent's legs and buy yourself time before passing out.

    • 3

      Place your free hand back onto the opponent's knee of the choking leg, which is by your ear.

    • 4

      Grab that hand with the hand of your trapped arm to gain extra leverage on the knee of the choking leg.

    • 5

      Whip your upper body toward the knee of the choking leg while forcing that knee down to the mat with your hands and arms. This creates a whiplash action that will pop your head out of the choke when properly applied.

    • 6

      Roll toward your opponent's chest to gain a dominant side-control position before he can get back to his feet or reclaim the guard.