Also called Head-and-arm choke, Side choke, Kata-gatame
The arm-triangle traps the opponent's head and one arm together, so their own shoulder presses into one side of the neck while your arm presses the other. It is a pressure choke from mount, side control or half guard, used in both jiu-jitsu and MMA. The squeeze comes from your shoulder and hips, not your biceps.
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How to do it
- 1From mount or side control, push one of the opponent's arms across their face.
- 2Drop your head beside theirs, pinning the trapped arm against their neck.
- 3Wrap your arm under their neck and lock your hands palm to palm.
- 4Move off to the side opposite the trapped arm, off the mount if needed.
- 5Drop your hips and drive your shoulder into their neck until they tap.
- Trying to finish while square on top, where the choke has no angle.
- Leaving space between your head and the trapped arm.
- Squeezing with the arms instead of driving with the shoulder and hips.
Safety: Squeeze gradually and let go at the tap; the pressure builds very quickly once the angle is right.
Drills
From side control your partner pushes on your chest; trap the arm, step to the far side and finish slowly, ten reps a side.
Legends known for it
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