The Inverted Triangle is a powerful arm-in shoulder-trap choke, typically entered from kimura trap or transitional scrambles. It uses your legs to encircle the opponent’s neck and trapped arm from an inverted angle, creating a tight strangle with strong control. This submission is highly effective in both gi and no-gi, especially in dynamic exchanges.
Start
Kimura trap or transition
End
Submission
Prerequisites: Kimura grip mechanics · Basic triangle choke mechanics · Shoulder pinch control · Hip inversion movement
Steps
1
Establish Kimura Trap
From top side control or turtle, secure a kimura grip on your opponent’s far arm, locking their wrist with your figure-four grip and pinning their elbow to your chest.
2
Initiate Inversion
Post your near-side hand on the mat for base, then swing your hips up and over your opponent’s trapped arm, rotating your body so your head points toward their hips and your legs are ready to thread over their shoulders.
3
Thread First Leg Over Shoulder
Bring your far-side leg (relative to their head) over the back of their neck, aiming to place your knee across their far-side shoulder with your calf parallel to their spine.
4
Lock the Triangle Position
Thread your near-side leg under their trapped arm and across their back, then cross your ankles or figure-four your legs, pinching your knees tightly around their neck and shoulder.
5
Adjust Angle and Tighten
Rotate your hips so your body is perpendicular to their torso, pulling their trapped arm deeper across their neck and adjusting your legs so your top knee points toward the ceiling.
6
Control the Trapped Arm
Use your kimura grip or switch to a wrist control on their trapped arm, pulling it across their neck to maximize the choke and prevent their escape.
7
Finish the Choke
Squeeze your thighs together, pull down on their head with your hands or by cupping your shin, and drive your hips forward while flexing your feet for maximal pressure.
Key details most people miss
The top knee must point vertically to maximize neck and shoulder compression.
Trapping the opponent’s arm deep across their neck increases the choke’s efficiency and prevents common escapes.
Angle your hips so your hamstring presses into the side of their neck, not the back of their head.
Maintain active dorsiflexion (toes up) on the locking leg to prevent slipping.
Common mistakes
Failing to trap the opponent’s arm deep allows them to posture and escape the triangle.
Letting your hips sag causes loss of angle, reducing choke pressure and enabling opponent to stack.
Crossing your legs instead of figure-fouring makes the triangle loose and easy to slip out.
Neglecting wrist/arm control lets the opponent use their free hand to relieve pressure or defend.
Counters & responses
They try: Opponent postures up and stacks your hips
You do: Angle your hips further perpendicular, use your free hand to push their far knee away, and pull their head down to break posture.
They try: Opponent circles their trapped arm out
You do: Switch back to the kimura grip and threaten the kimura submission or re-thread your leg to reset the triangle.
They try: Opponent uses free hand to push your top knee off their neck
You do: Control their free wrist with your hand or hook it with your leg, preventing the push and reinforcing the triangle lock.
They try: Opponent rolls toward you to relieve pressure
You do: Follow the roll, maintaining leg tension, and use the momentum to tighten the triangle or transition to mounted triangle.
Drill prescription
5 rounds × 3 minutes, 50% resistance; starting from kimura trap, partner gives realistic escapes. Goal: 3 clean inverted triangle finishes per round with no more than 1 escape per round.
How the masters teach it
Lachlan Giles
Known for systematic kimura trap transitions into inverted triangle with precise angle and leg positioning.