Arm Triangle Choke
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The arm triangle, also called the head and arm choke or kata gatame, traps one of the opponent's arms against their own neck and closes the other side with your arm and head. It is a blood choke that finishes from top, usually mount or side control, by moving off to the side of the trapped arm and dropping your weight through your shoulder.
Setting it up
The arm triangle starts when their arm crosses their own face. That happens when they push on your chest or neck from bottom mount or side control.
- Trap the arm
- Push their elbow across their face with your head and shoulder until it is pinned against their neck. If the elbow isn't past the centerline, it won't close.
- Lock the grip
- Your arm goes under their neck and you lock hands palm-to-palm or grip your own biceps, with your head pressed beside their trapped arm.
- Move to the side
- From mount, step off to the side opposite the trapped arm and flatten out, chest down, legs wide. Squeezing from mount is the usual reason it doesn't finish.
- Finish with the shoulder
- Drive your shoulder into their trapped arm and pull your elbows together. Walk your feet toward their head to tighten it.
Where the arm triangle comes from
Mount and side control are the usual starts, plus the front headlock when they turtle with an arm out. From half guard you can lock it, but you usually have to pass to the side to finish it, so the half guard arm triangle doubles as a pass.
- Mount
- When they push your chest to bridge or escape, their arm crosses the face.
- Side control
- Off a crossface, when they frame on your neck with the far arm.
- Front headlock
- When their arm is inside your grip as they turtle, the same head-and-arm lock leads to the D'Arce.
How to escape the arm triangle
Escape before the choke is finished, while there is still space between your shoulder and neck. Keep your trapped elbow off your face, turn toward your opponent, and push their head or hip to make space. Once they are off to the side with the shoulder driving in, tap.
Copy an arm triangle escape flowchart →Arm triangle rules
IBJJF lists the arm triangle as illegal in the 4 to 12 and 13 to 15 divisions and legal from 16 at every belt. ADCC and NAGA allow it in adult divisions.
Check the arm triangle by age, belt and ruleset →Frequently asked questions
Is the arm triangle the same as kata gatame?
Yes. Kata gatame is the judo name for the head and arm choke. In BJJ it is usually called the arm triangle because their arm, your arm, and your head form the triangle around the neck.
What is the difference between an arm triangle and a triangle choke?
The triangle choke uses your legs around their head and one arm, usually from guard. The arm triangle uses your arms and head, usually from top. Both trap one arm against the neck.
Why can't I finish the arm triangle from mount?
The angle's wrong. Step off mount to the side opposite their trapped arm, flatten your chest to the mat and drive your shoulder in.
Is the arm triangle a blood choke?
Yes. Their own shoulder closes one carotid artery and your arm closes the other.
Is the arm triangle legal for kids?
Not under IBJJF until 16. It is on the illegal list for the 4 to 12 and 13 to 15 divisions.
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