Reverse Triangle

What This Is

The reverse triangle — hantaisankaku in Japanese — is a triangle choke applied from the opposite direction to the standard variant. Where the standard triangle has the attacker’s leg crossing behind the opponent’s neck, the reverse triangle has the leg crossing the front. The femur drives into the anterior neck rather than the posterior neck.

This inversion makes the reverse triangle available in precisely the situations where the standard triangle is blocked. If the opponent’s arm is too far inside for the standard triangle geometry, or the standard entry is defended, the reverse triangle approaches from the other side. The arm position is reversed — the trapped arm in the reverse triangle is on the opposite side from the standard variant.

The reverse triangle is the natural attacking position from north-south. When the bottom player in north-south is defending against the top player’s pressure, the reversed triangle geometry — legs shooting upward around the neck and arm from below — is often the highest-percentage submission available from that position.

Compression mechanics are the same as the standard triangle (INV-S01 applies), but the force is delivered from the anterior rather than posterior approach. The finishing hip drive is different — into the mat rather than away from it.

Safety First

The Invariable in Action

The reverse triangle achieves the same bilateral carotid requirement as the standard variant — the mechanism differs only in approach angle. The attacker’s thigh on one side, the opponent’s trapped arm on the other. Practitioners accustomed to the standard triangle sometimes apply the reverse triangle with a neck-crank mindset rather than a compression mindset — squeezing the femur into the anterior neck without the bilateral carotid compression. This is painful but not a blood choke. Ensuring the arm is pressed against the carotid on the far side is the same requirement as in the standard variant.

The arm position in the reverse triangle must be confirmed — whether the arm is inside or outside the triangle determines the mechanical directness. In the standard reverse triangle entry, the arm is typically outside (arm-out configuration), making it comparable in directness to the standard triangle. When entered from positions where the arm comes inside, tighter mechanics are required.

The reverse triangle applies pressure from the front. The finishing direction must account for this — the attacker’s hip drive is different from the standard variant. Forcing the finish with the same direction as the standard triangle from the reversed position fails to load the carotids correctly. The angle must be calibrated to the anterior approach.

Entering This Position

From Closed Guard — When Standard Entry Is Blocked

When the standard triangle entry is defended — the top player’s arm is too far inside or they have blocked the leg-over-shoulder entry — the reverse triangle approaches from the opposite shoulder. The bottom player shoots the leg over the opposite shoulder, bringing it across the front of the neck. The geometry is reversed but the locking mechanism is the same: near foot hooks behind the far knee.

From North-South — Primary Entry

The reverse triangle is the principal attacking tool from the north-south bottom position. The top player in north-south is head-to-head above the bottom player. The bottom player shoots both legs upward — one over the neck, one between the arm and the neck — and locks the reverse triangle from below. The top player’s weight actually assists the finish in this configuration by pressing downward into the compression.

From Scramble Positions

During scrambles where the standard triangle entry was attempted but missed, the reverse triangle is often the continuation. The leg that went over the wrong shoulder is already in position for the reverse geometry — completing the lock rather than releasing and re-entering saves time and position.

Finishing Mechanics

Hip Drive Direction

The finishing direction in the reverse triangle is different from the standard. The attacker drives the hips toward the mat rather than away, pressing the femur further into the anterior neck. This is the primary mechanical adjustment practitioners must make when transitioning from standard to reverse triangle finishing.

Arm Position

The trapped arm must be controlled and pressed against the carotid — the same bilateral compression requirement as the standard variant. Pull the arm across the body. The arm crossing the midline is the same mechanical principle applied from the reversed geometry.

Angle Confirmation

The same 15–30 degree hip adjustment applies. The direction of adjustment is reversed — walk the hips to the opposite side compared to the standard triangle angle adjustment. The goal is the same: maximise the trapped arm against the far carotid.

From This Position

Armbar — Reversed

The armbar from the reverse triangle is available on the trapped arm from the reversed geometry. The pivot direction is opposite to the standard triangle armbar. When the opponent defends by posturing, the arm is in position for the reversed armbar entry.

Back Take from North-South Triangle

When the north-south reverse triangle is partially established and the opponent escapes by rolling, the bottom player can follow the roll and take the back. The legs already have proximity to the opponent’s neck and shoulders — converting to the back harness is a natural continuation.

See: Standard Triangle for the standard triangle-armbar chain comparison.

Defence and Escape

Prevent the North-South Entry

From north-south top, the primary defence is posture and hip position — keeping the hips back and not letting the bottom player’s legs get above the shoulder line. The reverse triangle from north-south requires the bottom player’s legs to travel a significant distance upward; the top player who maintains weight and posture makes this entry very difficult.

Free the Arm Before the Lock Closes

The same principle as the standard triangle defence. Before the triangle lock is tight, withdrawing the arm while maintaining posture is the highest-priority escape. Once the arm is trapped and the legs locked, options narrow considerably.

Roll to Relieve Pressure

Rolling in the direction away from the femur pressure — rolling forward over the attacker — can relieve the anterior compression. This is not a positional escape but a pressure reduction that may create the window to extract the arm.

Common Errors — and Why They Fail

Error: Treating the reverse triangle as a neck crank rather than a blood choke. Why it fails: INV-S01 fails. The anterior femur pressure without bilateral carotid compression is a neck crank — painful but not a blood choke. The opponent can survive this with discomfort. Correction: Ensure the trapped arm is pressing against the far carotid. Both sides of the neck must be compressed.

Error: Using the same hip drive direction as the standard triangle. Why it fails: INV-04 fails. The reversed geometry requires reversed hip drive direction. Using standard triangle finishing mechanics from the reversed position reduces compression and may create a different loading pattern that is not a blood choke. Correction: Confirm the anterior approach and adjust the hip drive direction accordingly — into the mat, not away from it.

Error: Not adjusting the arm position for the reversed geometry. Why it fails: The arm must cross to the same side relative to the reversed geometry — the principle is the same but the direction is opposite. An arm hanging inside the reversed triangle is the same problem as in the standard variant. Correction: Pull the trapped arm across the midline in the direction appropriate for the reversed geometry.

Drilling Notes

• North-south entry drill. Partner in north-south top position. Bottom player practises shooting the reverse triangle from below — both legs driving upward. Focus on the lock closing with the arm correctly positioned. The top player applies moderate resistance without active defence initially.
• Standard-to-reverse transition drill. From closed guard, attempt the standard triangle entry — when blocked, flow to the reverse triangle from the opposite shoulder. The transition should be smooth rather than a restart.
• Hip drive calibration. From an established reverse triangle with a cooperative partner, practise the finishing hip drive direction. Partner confirms whether the compression is vascular (blood choke feeling) or pressure (neck crank feeling). Adjust until the correct bilateral compression is achieved.

Ability Level Guidance

Also Known As

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