Triangle from Taking the Back

Triangle from Taking the Back is a finishing attack built around a handful of repeatable controls. Top player has established knee-on-belly with the inside knee pressing across the bottom partner's torso, far foot posted wide for base, and grips controlling the collar and pant or wrist. Another common starting shape: attacker has rotated under the opponent's hips during the berimbolo with the De La Riva and far leg control intact. It is worth attempting once comfortable with: Stabilizing position after passing the guard and comfortable with: Triangle gap legwork. The ideas that hold it together are weight distribution, connection, and isolation of the target limb or neck.

The triangle chain is a sequence of small controls, not one athletic burst. Plant the inside knee across the sternum with the far foot posted wide for a stable tripod. Cross the De La Riva leg deep behind the opponent's far thigh. Triangle the second leg over the locking ankle. Pull the opponent down into the lap with the lapel grip. Establish seat belt grip from the new back configuration. Fight for or deny the underhook to control the line of escape. Keep the hips low and weight distributed forward to pin the opponent flat. Strip or collapse the opponent's frames before advancing position. Top player has trapped the opponent's head and one arm between the legs, locked a figure-four with the shins, and is squeezing the knees to finish the triangle choke.

Later in the triangle, mobility off the knee, triangle lock as a back hook, and leg trap before grip work tend to decide whether the position stays on track. Watch for these mistakes: Sitting back on the knee instead of driving weight forward, allowing easy bumps off. Triangling the wrong direction so the leg slips. Not pulling the opponent into the lap to load the back position. Rushing the finish before securing the controlling grips and weight distribution. The high-percentage version of triangle from taking the back is the one you can still chain when the first squeeze is defended.