Back to MMA Fundamentals
Ground
Triangle Choke
A leg-based choke from guard using your legs to trap the opponent's neck and one arm.
Key Points
- •The angle of your hips matters as much as the leg lock itself
- •One of their arms must stay trapped inside the triangle
- •Pull down on the head, don't just squeeze the legs
Instructions
- 1From guard, control one of the opponent's arms and push it across your body.
- 2Bring your leg over their shoulder on the same side as the trapped arm.
- 3Lock your leg behind your other knee, forming a figure-four with your legs around their neck and arm.
- 4Angle your hips and pull their head down to tighten the choke.
- 5Squeeze your knees together, cutting off blood flow at the neck.
More Ground Techniques
Closed Guard
A fundamental bottom position where your legs are wrapped and locked around the opponent's waist.
Mount
A dominant top position sitting on an opponent's torso with both knees on the mat.
Side Control
A dominant pinning position perpendicular to the opponent, controlling their torso from the side.
Back Control
The most dominant position in grappling, controlling an opponent from behind with hooks in.
Armbar
A joint-lock submission hyperextending the elbow, applicable from guard, mount, or side control.
Rear-Naked Choke
A blood choke applied from back control, one of the most reliable submissions in grappling and MMA.