Side control is one of BJJ’s most influential positions. You will be able to win so many more fights if you can safely get to it and work from there. Pinning your opponent from this position—is pretty straightforward and won’t require as much strength as you might think.
You want to be at a 90-degree angle (perpendicular) to your opponent, who is on his back, to be in side control. To lock the opponent in this position, you want to control as much of the opponent as possible. For example, you want to control the opponent’s hips, shoulders, head, and arms.
The problem isn’t to hold it, for most people. Rather, setting it up and getting to it is where most BJJ trainees are wrong. Of course, most novice grapplers will make many mistakes both when trying to set it up and when they’re already there.
This is what this article is here for. I decided to write this article since I know how difficult it can be to: 1. set up side control and 2. hold it properly.
You might currently be making many mistakes that are holding you back. So, this article will point them out and offer you viable and practical solutions to ensure you’re performing this position flawlessly.
Thus, it’s essential to read each sub-section in it, as each regularly points out the mistakes most novice and even advanced grapplers make.
Alright, let’s dive into the basics:
Side Control Basics
While the side control is a set of variations we’ll examine later in the article, the principles remain the same with all variations.
This 1st section of the article will review the basics you must know to hold side control for longer and more effectively.
What this section won’t do is teach you how to set it up properly; it won’t do that. However, when learning this position, you want to read each section to ensure you can fix many grapplers’ mistakes.
Some people build habits of these mistakes and hold themselves back in their BJJ and fighting journey.
Block the hip
The first basic is to block the hip. BJJ is all about control. It’s similar to chess, by the way. You want to have as much control over the opponent as possible.
Let’s imagine you’re in side control and do not have hip control. What do you think will happen?
The best-case scenario is for the opponent to twist and push you off while attaining closed guard. In the worst-case scenario, he goes for submission and finishes the fight when you least expect it.
Placing either your hand or knee on the side of the opponent’s hips will give you enough control. You’ll have something blocking the opponent’s hips in all side control variations.
Do that, and you’ll see more success with this dominant position.
This video dives deep into controlling the opponent’s hips in different positions. Definitely give it a watch.
Control the opponent’s arm
Again, BJJ is all about control. You have an advantage if you control more of your opponent than the opposite. The same applies to side control.
Now you know that you need to control the opponent’s hips. So how do you do that? By placing either your hand or knee in front of it— this will do the job.
We also want to maintain control over the opponent’s close arm. We can do that in a few ways, and we should use them all.
Lifting the opponent’s arm is the most effective way to control it when in side control. Likewise, placing your knee in front of it will be another way to achieve the same thing.
Your opponent won’t be able to shift to the side if you control his arm. Instead, he would have to look in the other direction, making things even more complicated for him.
Maintain control over his arm and hips; you’ll be more likely to hold and finish from this prevailing position.
Control the opponent’s face
Alright, the 3rd side control basic is to control the opponent’s face. The primary outcome you want to look for is to prevent the opponent from looking at you.
How much harder will it be to escape side control if you can’t look at the opponent? While we’ll review ways to do that later in the article, it’ll be much harder if your neck faces the other direction.
This is how you do that:
You first place your middle finger against the opponent’s far armpit. The next step is to pull your elbow back while keeping the armpit grip firm. Finally, you’ll see how the opponent’s neck immediately faces the other direction.
Trap the opponent’s arm
I’ve been somewhat hesitant about including this in the basics or the tips section (which comes later in the article.) And I believe it’s such a fundamental movement—everyone needs to know about it.
Trapping the opponent’s arm is a natural movement after gaining side control. You want to advance forward and wrap your arms around the opponent’s arm.
The result of that will be more control over the opponent. Likewise, you’ll have countless options to finish the fight. Some viable options are the Armbar and even transitioning to the mount position.
If you want to read a complete breakdown of the mount position, follow this link to learn how to perform it flawlessly.
Alright, that’s it for the basics. Now, let’s review how to set it up to ensure you can get to it without too much trouble.
How to Set Up Side Control
There’s one primary one that’ll allow you to enter side control consistently: guard passes. Of course, first, you want to start standing up and pass the opponent’s guard to do so. Although other creative ways will achieve the same result, that is the most attractive way you can do that.
Passing the opponent’s guard is the best way to set up and enter side control more often. Therefore, using guard passes, such as the Toreando pass, X pass, Knee Cut, and the One Arm Throw pass—are suitable options.
Transitioning to the Knee on Belly will also help you achieve that. If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s when you place your knee on the opponent’s stomach. Again, it gives you much control, as the opponent will have difficulty transitioning to another position.
This is the most powerful and consistent way you can use to gain side control more often. Although it’s an entirely different skill, you want to start working on it to become more capable of attaining side control more often and with greater ease.
Side Control Variations
This part of the article will examine different side control variations. Learning and understanding the ones I’ll present—will be critical in better grasping this position.
Learning the variations will allow you to be more versatile. As a result, you’ll be more knowledgeable about how to escape and hold the different variations.
So, without further introduction: let’s dive in!
Reverse side control
The first variation we’ll discuss is the reverse side control. You can use this aggressive one to transition to other variations while forcing the opponent to react, as you have plenty of attacks from this position.
Essentially, you want to face the opponent’s feet while blocking the opponent’s hips with your knee. You also want to pressure the opponent’s upper body to prevent him from escaping.
The primary mistake novice grapplers make with this submission is forgetting to block the hips. As a result, the opponent’s hips are his way out of the inferior position he’s currently in.
I’ll repeat that mistake throughout the entire article, as it’s the most common and has the most influence over your game.
Head & Arm side control
The second variation is the head & arm side control. You want to use it to control the opponent’s upper body.
However, it would be best to forget that the hips are there. You want to place your knee or create pressure to prevent the opponent from twisting and escaping with his knee.
You want to wrap the opponent’s head while doing the same on his arm with your other arm. That is, perhaps, the most aggressive position you can be in, as you can attack his arm, neck, and wrist.
The primary danger in this position is the opponent getting back control. There are numerous escapes to this position (which we’ll discuss next.) As a result, you want to avoid them at all costs.
Head & Hip side control
The 3rd and last variation we’ll discuss is the head & hips side control. It utilizes the exact grip we saw in the previous variation (for the head.) However, you also want to grab the opponent’s hip (with Gi) and apply a lot of pressure.
You’ll be able to control the opponent’s upper and lower body with this variation. It can be your milestone for transitioning to the full mount position.
But you want to pay attention to where you apply pressure to. For example, you want to avoid not using force on the opponent’s upper body. So, make sure not to lean back but stay down while applying forward pressure.
Likewise, you want to ensure you apply hip pressure. You must not forget that the opponent can drive you off if you let him a bit of space to work with. It’ll be best to avoid that.
Side Control Tips
Tip #1 – Side control is a transitioning position
Although it’s one of BJJ’s most effective positions, it’s perhaps the best transitioning position. Of course, you can finish the fight from it, no doubt about it. However, the best grapplers in the world love to transition to the mount position from it.
Not only will it grant you 4 points in a competition, but it’ll also give you countless more options to go for. And you can always transition back to side control from the mount position.
So yes, while it might sound counter-productive, many advanced grapplers view side control as a transitioning position. If the opponent makes a mistake, then they’ll use it to finish the fight from this position.
However, many will transition to the full mount and finish the fight from there.
Tip #2 – Knees and Elbows off the ground
Keeping your elbows and knees on the ground will prevent you from directing your body weight force downward. Instead of it being downward, it’ll be through the opponent.
Now, imagine he escapes your position. With which option would you be better off? Remember, you aim to follow through with the opponent if he escapes. So, having your pressure directed through and not down will help you follow through.
Thus, try to keep your elbows and knees off the ground. Not only will you apply more pressure on the opponent, but it’ll be better directed.
Tip #3 – You don’t have to be perpendicular
When you first think of a random side control position, what comes to mind for most people is a perpendicular position. This is because you always hear that you must be perpendicular to the opponent to gain more control.
But that doesn’t have to be the case. You can rotate both to the North-South position and toward the opponent’s feet. Each direction has its benefits.
For example, if you rotate in the direction of the opponent’s feet, you can place your hips against the opponent’s hips. Not only will you gain more control, but you’ll also be able to transition to the full mount position.
The other direction has its benefits. If you can attain the North-South position while maintaining the same control, you’ll be able to finish the fight with any submission from this position, such as the Kimura.
So this is it for the tips. Next, let’s move on to how to escape this position if you were on the other side; hence, your opponent has side control over you.
How to Escape Side Control in BJJ
Escaping side control is more than complex, especially if the opponent is bigger than you. You have everything going against you. So, you don’t want to allow your opponent to create an excessive force against your body. This is how you escape:
You first need to get your arm against the opponent’s head to create space between him and you. Then, you push the opponent away while bridging up until you get the top position. Finally, you want to use a rolling motion to use your momentum to create more force.
Of course, different coaches will teach different techniques. However, I’ve also learned this, so I’m confident it works.
You’ll be able to knock the opponent off of you by using the momentum from the bridging motion and applying it when you roll. The last thing you want is not to have a lot of momentum going for you.
As I previously mentioned, you have everything working against you. The opponent has all the control against you. So, using everything you could (momentum) to roll the opponent off the position would be best.
Then, you can either attack the opponent immediately or go for your own side control.
How Do I Get Better at Side Control?
Reading this article will give you the tools to better your side control. And you want to become better at it if you want to start winning more often, as it’s one of BJJ’s most influential and practical positions. But reading isn’t enough, let’s see what is:
Practicing and experimentation are the best way to get better at side control. You want to practice both the setup and the position itself. Remember, you want to have as much control over the opponent as possible. This means that you must control the opponent’s lower and upper body. Do that, and you’ll get better side control.
But again, experimentation and practice are the best ways to get better. Don’t get me wrong, reading this article has definitely helped you become a better grappler, as knowledge is everything.
However, you must step into the mat and start seeing what works and what doesn’t. Implement the basics and the tips while listening to other coaches, and I’m confident your side control abilities will skyrocket.
Best Submission From Side Control
The Straight Arm Lock is the best submission from side control, as it can also be effective against novice and advanced grapplers as one.
You want to wrap the opponent’s arm right by the elbow. Then, you turn and lean, making his arm straight. You then want to grab his wrist with your other hand (like the grip you have in a Kimura.) The only step left is to apply pressure downward (and not to the side.) Wait for the tap and release the pressure.
Also, I have a complete technical breakdown of the Straight Arm Lock on my website. Follow the link to learn how to perform it mistake-free.
Easiest Submission From Side Control
The Americana is the easiest submission from side control, as it’s a 2-step technique. First, you want to control the opponent’s hips and upper body. Then, you want to grab the opponent’s wrist and lock your hands together. All that’s left is to create downward pressure and wait for the tap.
If you want to master the Americana, follow this link to learn how to perform it flawlessly.
Final words
This is it. You’ve reached the end of this article. However, I’m confident you’re a better grappler because you’ve read this article, and that’s for two primary reasons.
First, you are now more knowledgeable on how to hold, set up, and finish from side control, one of the most effective positions you can be in.
And the second reason is that you’re eager for information. Please stay that way. It’ll be best to learn everything that you can about this magnificent martial art. Stay eager for information, and you’ll see more results sooner: that I can promise.
While side control is one of BJJ’s most effective and dominant positions, there are many more you should familiarize yourself with. Follow this link to learn about the most dominant positions you must learn in BJJ to call yourself a good grappler.
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