What is the Rear Triangle?
The rear triangle finishes a triangle-style choke from the back or reverse-triangle configuration by trapping one arm against the neck and closing the figure-four with your legs.
Setup
- Secure back control or a reverse-triangle angle with one arm trapped.
- Climb your hips so the shin can seat behind the neck.
- Pin the trapped arm across the neck before closing the figure-four.
Execution
- Close the triangle and adjust the angle toward the trapped-arm side.
- Squeeze with your legs while controlling the free arm so they cannot posture out.
- Extend your hips slightly to remove neck space without abandoning the back.
Finishing
- If the choke stalls, threaten an armbar on the trapped arm.
- Return to rear naked choke or short choke if the triangle angle dies.
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Safety Note
Rear triangles can put partners out quickly under hip pressure. Close progressively and release immediately on tap.
Primary Targets
- Neck
- Carotid Arteries
Key Concepts
- Trap the arm and seat the shin before squeezing.
- Angle beats raw leg strength.
- Keep a path back to RNC if the triangle opens.
Primary Entries
- Back control when one arm is trapped across the chest.
- Failed rear naked choke when the arm stays inside the seatbelt.
- Reverse-triangle transitions from mount or side control scrambles.
Defenses & Counters
- Expect hand fighting and posture resets before the lock settles
- Watch for bridges or frames that create space under your chest
- If the angle dies, transition instead of forcing a stalled finish
Follow-Ups
- Transition to a linked submission when they defend the primary finish
- Re-secure the control position if the submission breaks
- Advance position when the defense opens a better pin
Training Drills
- Positional entries with progressive resistance
- Finish-or-transition rounds from the main control
- Partner tap drills emphasizing early recognition
Related Techniques
Deepen your study with complementary positions and attacks.
Summary
Triangle variation finished from the back or reverse triangle configuration when an arm is trapped against the neck.