Submission · Choke · Intermediate
IntermediateChokeGi & no-gi

Arm triangle (Kata Gatame)

A submission (choke) you hit from Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame), Mount (Tate Shiho Gatame), Half guard (top) and Technical mount. Intermediate level.

Arm triangle (Kata Gatame) · 1 of 6

Arm Triangle Choke and Defense Counter

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Starts from

Get to one of these positions first, then look for the arm triangle.

Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)Mount (Tate Shiho Gatame)Half guard (top)Technical mount

Key steps

Choke. Tap early in training, and let go as soon as your partner taps.

  1. Push their arm across their face
  2. Put your head down beside theirs, pinning the arm against their neck
  3. Lock your hands (gable or S-grip)
  4. Step off to the side your head is on and drop your chest to squeeze
If they defend it

They turn into you: take mount or the back.

Common mistakes

Common mistake

Trying to finish from mount without stepping off to the side.

Key details
  • Your head pins the arm in place
  • Drop your weight toward their head

How to defend it

Caught in it?
Learn the early defense, the escape and when to tap.
How to escape it

Where you’ll face it

You’re most likely to get caught in it from these positions. Each one has its escapes.

Side control (bottom)Mount (bottom)

Related positions & techniques

Starts from
Side control (Yoko Shiho Gatame)Mount (Tate Shiho Gatame)Half guard (top)Technical mount
Defend it
How to escape the arm triangle
Similar submissions
Rear naked choke (Hadaka Jime)Triangle (Sankaku Jime)GuillotineD'Arce chokeAnaconda chokeNorth-south choke
In courses
Foundations III: Half guardFoundations V: Pins & mountFoundations VI: Standing, front headlock & backHalf guard setBack attack set
Seminars

Safety and research

Read about itGrapplearts articlesBJJ Heroes

Practice

Quick checkArm triangle (Kata Gatame) quick check4 questions
My notes

Saved automatically.

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