LEG TRIANGLE (SANKAKU-JIME)

The leg triangle (sankaku-jime in Japanese) is the canonical triangle choke variation in which the attacker uses the figure-four leg configuration to compress the opponent's neck and trap one of the opponent's arms. The technique attacks the same carotid-compression mechanism as conventional triangles and is one of the most foundational submissions in grappling. The Japanese name sankaku-jime translates to 'triangle strangle' and reflects the technique's origins in judo and earlier jujutsu traditions.

The mechanics begin from closed guard or mount with the attacker isolating one of the opponent's arms inside the attacker's leg configuration. The attacker swings one leg across the opponent's neck and same-side shoulder, then figure-fours the other leg behind the first leg's knee. The opponent's near arm is trapped between the attacker's legs (the structural element that distinguishes triangle from neck crank). The finish comes from squeezing the legs together while controlling the opponent's posture, which produces carotid compression on both sides of the neck — the opponent's own trapped arm compresses one carotid while the attacker's leg compresses the other.

The leg triangle is foundational and is taught at every academy globally. Notable practitioners include virtually every elite competitor. The technique pairs in attack chains with armbar (alternative finish when triangle is defended), omoplata (transition from triangle setup), and various sweep mechanics. Defensively the leg triangle is escaped by hiding the near arm before the figure-four consolidates, by hand-fighting the leg-over-shoulder threading, by stacking the attacker to disrupt the figure-four, or by posturing up explosively to deny the carotid-compression geometry.