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    Sankaku-jime

    三角絞 · さんかくじめ · triangle strangle · said sahn-KAH-koo JEE-meh

    Also known as triangle choke (BJJ)

    About this techniqueJump to step by stepPlain text version

    Demonstrations

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    Under contest rules

    Depends on the form. The strangle is legal on the ground. Bringing pressure onto the neck or spinal vertebrae from an ushiro-sankaku is a direct hansoku-make, as is a kata-sankaku that blocks uke's body with both legs; taking the head with the legs without uke's arm inside is matte and a shido.

    Sport and Organisation Rules of the International Judo Federation: refereeing rules, 2026 edition, Articles 18.1.2 and 18.2.2.

    About this technique

    The triangle strangle: uke's neck and one arm are enclosed in a triangle of tori's legs, one leg's knee-pit locking over the other's instep, the trapped shoulder completing the strangle. Strangles are restricted by age in most federations; learn and practise this only under instruction and supervision.

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    A technique to choke the opponent ’ s neck region by holding his neck and right armpit between both legs and hooking the right foot on the back of the left knee while forming a triangular form.
    The Kodokan's definition

    Key points

    1. The triangle encloses the neck and one arm, never the neck alone
    2. Lock the knee-pit over the other instep and square the hips
    3. Close gradually with the legs and a draw of the head or arm

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    grappling techniques

    At a glance

    , classification, Gokyo set, Kodokan number, contest rules, grades that require it
    What it is
    Katame-waza (grappling techniques).
    Kodokan number
    711 (SAJ).
    Contest rules
    Depends on the form. The strangle is legal on the ground. Bringing pressure onto the neck or spinal vertebrae from an ushiro-sankaku is a direct hansoku-make, as is a kata-sankaku that blocks uke's body with both legs; taking the head with the legs without uke's arm inside is matte and a shido.
    Also written
    Sangaku-jime, Ashi-gatame-jime.
    Required for

    Step by step

    These steps describe the standard right-handed form without relying on the video.

    1. You are on your back with your partner between your legs, one of their arms in and one arm out: trap their right arm inside as their head comes down.
    2. Swing your right leg over their left shoulder so the back of your knee crosses the back of their neck.
    3. Fold that leg and catch your right foot under the back of your left knee, the left leg folding down under their right armpit: the triangle is formed around their neck and trapped arm.
    4. Square your hips towards them and draw their trapped arm across their own neck, or their head gently down.
    5. Close gradually by squeezing the legs and drawing with the hands. Open the triangle completely the moment they tap, and let them up.

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    Receiving it

    A leg crosses behind your neck, locks into the other, and your own trapped shoulder becomes part of the strangle: the pressure comes from the legs and builds smoothly. Posture up and free the trapped arm early if you can. Tap immediately and clearly the moment it is properly on; holding on risks a blackout. Tell your instructor if you ever feel light-headed afterwards.

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    VI judo notes

    Built from full contact on your back, so the triangle can be formed entirely by feel: the back of your knee across their neck, then your right foot caught under the back of your left knee, a lock your legs can confirm without any help. Square your hips towards them and close slowly. Open the triangle completely at the tap so they can get their head clear.

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    In competition

    , how often it scores at IJF level, and two contests where it worked

    Senior IJF competition, 2020 to 2026, from 73,099 contests. Counts scores, not attempts.

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    In combinations, counters and transitions

    , 10 awaiting review

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    Reference pages elsewhere

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