The arm triangle is a choke that traps the head and one arm between your arm and your head, so their shoulder and your biceps close the neck. Judo lists the position as kata-gatame (肩固), the shoulder hold, among the pins.
- Japanese name: kata-gatame, 肩固, "shoulder hold".
- Kodokan classification: osaekomi-waza, a hold-down. The BJJ version finishes as a choke.
- In BJJ: taken from mount, side control and half guard; the D'Arce and anaconda are variations with a different arm lock.
What is kata gatame?
The Kodokan defines kata-gatame as a technique that holds down the opponent by holding their arm and neck with the side of your neck and both arms, from the side of the opponent lying on their back. In judo the position scores as a pin; in BJJ the same squeeze is applied as a strangle.
BJJ Heroes describes the D'Arce as a variation of the katagatame (arm triangle) and the anaconda, and names the gable grip as a common way to finish the arm triangle.
How do you do the arm triangle correctly?
- Push the arm across. From mount, drive one of their arms across their face with your shoulder so it rests against their own neck.
- Wrap the head. Slide your arm on that side under their head so your biceps presses the open side of their neck, and clasp your hands with a gable grip or palm on biceps.
- Pin the arm with your head. Put your head on the mat on the far side so their trapped arm is squeezed between your head and your shoulder.
- Step off to the side. Slide off the mount onto the side where their arm is trapped, legs sprawled wide, hips low.
- Squeeze slowly. Drive your chest forward, walk your hips toward their head and squeeze the arms together until they tap.
The common mistake is staying on top in mount and squeezing with the arms alone. The choke needs the angle: get off to the side, head low, and let your body weight close the gap. Apply it slowly and release at the tap.
Video: KODOKAN official channel
Is the arm triangle legal in BJJ?
Under the IBJJF Rules Book's table of illegal moves, the arm triangle is illegal for children aged 4 to 15 and legal from age 16, adult white belts included.
In judo kata-gatame is a hold-down, so it scores as a pin: 20 seconds for ippon under the IJF rules.
Is the arm triangle a pin or a choke?
Judo players hold kata gatame for the pin and let the choke happen as a bonus; BJJ players set the angle for the strangle and accept the pin as a bonus. The judoinfo Kimura page notes that Kimura used kesa gatame and sankaku gatame among his hold-downs in the Gracie fight, in the same family of controls. Mats and rash guards for drilling it are in our BJJ training gear.
Sources
- Kodokan defines kata-gatame, Kodokan Judo Institute
- BJJ Heroes describes the D'Arce, BJJ Heroes
- Judoinfo Kimura page, JudoInfo
- IBJJF Rules Book, IBJJF
Related terms
Mount, Side control, D'arce choke, Anaconda choke, Scarf hold, Pins.