Over the last month we have been studying the triangle in the Team Training Class at Crossroads BJJ, and in an effort to improve our understanding of this powerful submission over the last week we have been discussing and drilling how to hit this submission which is typically attacked from the bottom of guard from a number of different positions including Mount, Side Control and now Back control. We started the class by simply being in the position and working to refine our squeeze. By making subtle positional changes based on the length of our legs we can position ourselves so that the actual “squeeze” required to get the tap is actually very small. If we squeeze to hard we run the risk of burning out our legs and then losing the submission. Burning out your legs while attempting a triangle can have devastating consequences for the rest of the match if you don’t get the tap, forcing you to continue grappling with no leg strength.
Once everybody could get the tap with minimal strength we began attacking this variation of the triangle off one of the more common escape attempts from the back control. BJJ is all about action and reaction. If the person I am training with begins an escape, I can only try to just hold them in the position for so long before I get tired and they eventually get the escape anyway. The idea behind this submission attempt is that I do not resist their escape attempt, but instead use it to my own advantage and use it as an opportunity to get the finish.
During the last portion of class we discussed using this new position as a control position. What happens if we get to this triangle from back control position but our training partner is able to defend the choke? instead of just squeezing our legs harder, we look for a more intelligent approach. In this particular position the arm is very vulnerable. This allows us 4 different submissions to attack the arm, instead of the choke. From this position we have a wrist lock, an arm lock, and two shoulder locks. There is always an easier and more efficient way to get the tap, it is our job when we are training to find that way.