Slick triangle finish 🚨 #bteamjiujitsu

The thread discussing the B-Team's recent triangle finish brought to mind the evolution of submissions in competition, specifically how certain techniques that were once novel or considered advanced have become standard, even foundational. The triangle choke itself, as a concept, has a remarkably long history within grappling, certainly predating its popularization in modern Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. One common narrative often attributes the triangle choke's widespread adoption in BJJ to particular figures, sometimes citing a single match or innovator. However, a more accurate historical perspective reveals a gradual integration of the technique, drawing from both Judo and catch wrestling traditions.

For instance, the *sankaku-jime*, the Japanese term for the triangle choke, appears in early Judo texts and instructional materials. Kano Jigoro's Kodokan Judo, established in 1882, systematized a range of choking techniques, and while the triangle might not have been as prominent as cross-collar chokes in early competitive Judo, its mechanics were understood and taught. Even before the extensive cultural exchange between Japan and Brazil began in the early 20th century, culminating in Mitsuyo Maeda's arrival in Brazil in 1914, various forms of leg-entanglement chokes existed in different grappling arts.

When Maeda, a Kodokan Judoka, began teaching in Brazil, he shared a broad curriculum of grappling techniques. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the triangle choke, as we recognize it today in BJJ, began its specific trajectory within the Gracie or Machado family lineages. While accounts sometimes suggest a specific Gracie family member "discovered" or refined the triangle, it is more plausible that the technique was part of the larger jiu-jitsu knowledge base brought by Maeda, and subsequently adapted and emphasized over time, perhaps driven by successful application in early challenge matches. The "sickly Helio" narrative, for instance, which often frames his innovations as responses to a physical disadvantage, has been increasingly scrutinized by historians like Robert Drysdale, who point to the complexities of oral histories and the promotional aspects of early BJJ accounts. Maeda's extensive competitive record and broad skillset suggest that many techniques, including sophisticated chokes, were likely part of his repertoire, rather than being entirely novel innovations within the nascent Brazilian art.

One might ask, then, what truly differentiates the application of a triangle by a modern B-Team athlete from its earlier iterations in Judo or even the early BJJ scene. Is it the underlying mechanics, which remain largely consistent, or the setup and the interconnectedness with other modern guard systems that constitutes true innovation?

Honestly, the "evolution of submissions" point from HoG Historian is tough to swallow when you're scrapping just to get on the mat. The B-Team always has slick stuff, no doubt, but most of us aren't living in a full-time training bubble. That specific finish, yeah, it’s clean, but how many people watching can actually afford the comp circuit, let alone the specialized camps, to even be in a position to hit that against good opposition? I just dropped $160 for IBJJF Orlando next month, which doesn't even count gas and the hotel. It’s hard to focus on "evolution" when you’re budgeting for entry fees. A good triangle is a good triangle, like HoG Drama Desk said, but there's a huge gap between seeing it and having the resources to truly drill and apply that at a high level consistently.

The B-Team finish is nothing new, honestly. We’ve drilled that exact setup, shifting hips for the angle, for like a year at our gym. It’s part of the longer guard retention sequences Professor frames for us before the 10-minute positional rounds. It's cool that it worked for them in competition, but it's not some "evolution of submissions" like HoG Historian is saying. You still need to manage distance, get the bite, and finish with the mechanics. Anyone who’s spent time drilling triangle entries from spider or collar-sleeve knows that. I hit a pretty similar one on Ryan at the AGF Dallas last month. The details matter way more than whether it's "new."

The idea that this triangle finish is "nothing new" (as Alex mentioned) resonates from a judo perspective too. We’ve had sankaku for ages. What B-Team is showing, specifically the kuzushi or off-balancing and then the tsukuri into the final lock, isn't fundamentally different from how we'd approach a similar setup from, say, newaza transitions in competition back in the early 2000s.

The real "evolution" for me is less about the technique itself and more about the specific micro-adjustments and relentless drilling BJJ has fostered. My black belt in judo from 2004 helped with the general grappling feel, but the sheer mat time dedicated to refining these submission details in BJJ is what makes the difference now. It's less about a new move, more about BJJ's focus on finishing within the position.

It's tough to really focus on "slick" finishes when you’re cramming three classes a week between work and getting the kids to soccer practice. I agree with Eddie; it’s a different world if you're training full-time. That B-Team triangle looks good, sure, but the reality for most of us is getting in any mat time at all, not perfecting esoteric setups. I’ve been training since 2012, and the focus has always been on solid fundamentals you can hit consistently, not something that requires hours of dedicated drilling for one specific finish. It's a luxury to spend that kind of time. Most evenings, I'm just trying to get a decent roll in before rushing home.