Open guard choke

Hey everyone! If you're a female grappler like me, or just someone looking to enhance your submission game in BJJ, you know how crucial it is to have high-percentage chokes in your arsenal. Today, I want to dive deep into two of my absolute favorites that have dramatically improved my confidence and success on the mats: the Triangle Choke and the Rear Naked Choke (RNC). My Journey with the Triangle Choke The triangle choke from open guard can feel intimidating at first, especially if you're up against someone bigger or stronger. But trust me, once you understand the mechanics, it becomes a beautiful display of leverage and technique. I remember struggling to finish it in my early days. My legs would get tired, or my opponent would posture up easily. What changed everything for me was focusing on a few key details: Angles are Everything: Don't just throw your legs up! You need to off-balance your opponent and create an angle. Scooting your hips out to the side (the 'hip escape' or 'shrimp') before throwing your leg over their shoulder makes a huge difference. This prevents them from posturing directly into you. Head and Arm Control: Before locking up the triangle, make sure you're controlling their head and one arm. Pulling their head down tightly and pushing their arm across their body helps cut off their carotid artery more effectively and prevents them from defending. I used to just try to squeeze, but once I focused on controlling the head and opposite arm, taps started coming much faster. Foot Position: My coach always emphasized that my shin should be across their neck, not my ankle. And my foot should be on my own shin, not my ankle. This small adjustment creates a much tighter squeeze and prevents them from easily slipping out. It took a lot of drilling, but it's now second nature. Conquering the Rear Naked Choke (RNC) Ah, the RNC! The queen of chokes from the back. This one feels so empowering to land, especially after the struggle to take and maintain back control. For me, the biggest hurdle was maintaining that dominant position without getting shaken off. Here's what helped me: Securing Back Control: Before even thinking about the choke, focus on getting your hooks in and your seatbelt grip (one arm over the shoulder, one under the armpit, clasping your own wrist). Your head should be glued to their shoulder on the side of your over-the-shoulder arm. This makes it incredibly hard for them to escape. Hand Placement for the Choke: Once back control is solid, transitioning to the RNC requires precision. My go-to is to use my top hand (the one that was over the shoulder) to go under their neck, palm facing towards me, and then my bottom hand cups my bicep. The key is to drive your top hand deep behind their head, almost touching your other arm's bicep. Your forearm should be right on their carotid artery. Finishing Mechanics: Don't just pull your elbows back! Think about collapsing your chest into their back and driving the back of their head towards your chest. This creates a powerful squeeze. I also found that looking to the side that my choking arm is on helps me get that extra bit of leverage and tightness. It's not just a bicep curl; it's a full-body squeeze. Both of these chokes require patience, drilling, and a deep understanding of body mechanics. As female grapplers, leveraging technique over brute strength is our superpower, and these chokes are prime examples of that. Keep drilling, keep learning, and never stop refining your game! What are your favorite choke details?