Reverse Triangle
Reverse triangle (gyaku sankaku) — the inverted-orientation triangle caught from underneath pins and scrambles.
Adapted from InGrappling, Reverse Triangle. System Games did not invent this curriculum.
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The reverse triangle — gyaku sankaku in Japanese — is the inverted-orientation triangle in the five-triangle classification standard in modern no-gi. The figure-four closes around the head and one arm exactly as in the standard triangle, but the attacker faces the opposite direction to a front triangle — the lock is caught when the opponent is turned away, or when the attacker is inverted relative to them.
The structure: the outside leg swings over the opponent’s shoulder while the inside leg tucks underneath, and the figure-four locks around the head and one arm. The choke works by forcing the opponent’s own trapped shoulder into their neck — the closing lock drives shoulder and arm across one carotid while the attacker’s legs close the other side (strangle both sides simultaneously applies).
The reverse triangle’s value is where it appears. It lives in inferior positions — underneath pins, in scrambles — as a surprise counterattack: an opponent concentrating on holding a pin drops their head into range, the legs swing up over the shoulder line, and the lock closes before the position registers as dangerous. And when the strangle stalls, the trapped arm is already isolated for armlock follow-ups.
Elevated RiskReverse Triangle is an elevated risk technique. The reverse triangle is a blood choke — the trapped shoulder and arm are forced across one carotid while the attacker's legs close the other. Unconsciousness follows sustained full compression. The inverted orientation can also load the neck if the lock is dragged rather than squeezed. The tap must be honoured the moment it is given. Serious injury can occur within seconds of full bilateral compression.
If you are new to this technique: read this section before anything else. Understanding the danger is part of understanding the technique.
The person applying the technique is responsible for releasing immediately.
Communicate before drilling. Know your partner's experience level with this position.