Defend the Mounted Head & Arm Triangle
When defending the mounted head & arm triangle, your strategy will depend upon how far your opponent has gotten with his submission attempt. On this page, I’ll refer to the earliest stage as “Level 1” and the latest (your last ditch effort) as “Level 4”.
Level 1: Your opponent’s arm is under your head, but he hasn’t gotten much farther than that.
Keep your right triceps heavy on the ground, and keep pressure on his head. At the same time, form a horseshoe shape with your left hand.
Note: In this example, your right arm is the one being attacked.
Shove your left hand - still in a horseshoe shape - into his right armpit.
Bump and turn into him, using your left hand for leverage.
Transition your right hand to the other side of his head. At this point, you should transition to half-guard and start working on your elbow escape.
Level 2: Your opponent has your head and arm but hasn’t locked his hands together yet.
Grab the back of your own head with your right hand.
Note: In this example, your right arm is the one being attacked.
Similar to Level 1, make a horseshoe shape with your left hand, and shove it into his right armpit.
Bump and turn into him, using your left hand for leverage, while straightening your right arm.
Grab his right shoulder with your left hand, and pull it back toward his feet.
With his shoulder still firmly secured, transition your right arm to the other side of his head. At this point, start looking for your front mount escapes.
Level 3: This scenario is very similar to Level 2 and can be used as an alternate choice.
Grab the back of your own head with your right hand, and place your left palm underneath the inside of your right elbow.
Note: In this example, your right arm is the one being attacked.
Gable grip your hands, and rotate your body while shoving your elbow down toward the ground. This should turn his head and make space for your forearm to put pressure against the side of his neck and head.
Using your right forearm for leverage, roll him to your left side.
You should end up in your opponent’s guard.
Level 4: Your opponent has the triangle locked in with your arm across your neck.
Gable grip your hands.
Push his head away from you, relieving pressure from your neck.
Straighten your right arm, bumping out at an angle in order to free it.
Transition your right arm to the other side of his head. At this point, start looking for your elbow escapes.