Triangle from Side Control

Triangle from Side Control is a finishing attack built around a handful of repeatable controls. Top player has established side control with chest-to-chest pressure, a cross-face and underhook, while the bottom player is flat on their back framing against the shoulder and hip. Another common starting shape: the top athlete is established in chest-to-chest side control with cross-face and underhook on the bottom player. It is worth attempting once comfortable with: Stabilizing position after passing the guard and comfortable with: Stabilize side control with cross-face and underhook frames. The ideas that hold it together are from-the-top triangle requires hip switch, position before submission, and weight distribution from the hips, not the arms.

The triangle chain is a sequence of small controls, not one athletic burst. Bait the defender to push into the cross-face with one arm. Switch hips and slot the near leg across the neck. Lock the triangle by pulling the far leg into the cutting shin. Use the lapel to pin the head and prevent posture. Drive the hips low and forward to remove space and prevent the bottom player from turning in. Use chest weight rather than arm strength to keep the pin heavy. Isolate the target limb or neck before committing to the finishing leverage. Frame to keep the chest off and create the angle. Bottom player has captured the head and one arm between their thighs in a triangle configuration, with the locking leg crossed over the cutting shin.

Later in the triangle, escape-to-attack continuum, triangle from bottom, and weight distribution tend to decide whether the position stays on track. Watch for these mistakes: Trying to cross the leg without first creating head-and-arm asymmetry. Letting the elbow flare away from the body, giving up frames. Lifting the hips or coming up onto the knees, which surrenders the pin. Throwing the leg up without first having the angle, getting the leg stuffed. The high-percentage version of triangle from side control is the one you can still chain when the first squeeze is defended.