Side Control Position

How to Prevent Side Control

[Click for Video] Preventing side control (Lachlan Giles): The first part of this video (up until 3:52) goes into how to prevent your opponent from actually getting a tight side control. Preventing the side control is much easier than the actual escape.

How to Prevent the Cross-Face

[Click for Video] Garry Tonon Sidemount Escape Breakdown (Competition Footage): Garry Tonon can successfully prevent Gilbert Burns from controlling him in side control by preventing the cross face. He does this by closing monitoring the inside arm of his opponent. Gilbert Burns unable to get the cross face, controls the inside elbow of Garry Tonon, which prevents Gary from turning in (to his right) and being able to reestablish guard. Gary uses his outside (left arm) to grab Gilbert's left wrist and free his inside (right) elbow. At this point, Gary can get back to guard.

How to Escape the Americana

[Click for Video] Americana Escape From Side Control (Groundworx Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu): The typical Americana escape involves bridging and turning towards the vulnerable arm, but according to this video, this leaves you susceptible. The alternative is to bridge into your opponent and straighten your arm. This puts you in a turtle position.

How to Perform the Frame Escape

[Click for Video] How To Do The Perfect BJJ Side Control Escape by John Danaher (Framing) (John Danaher): This video gets very detailed and very granular about all of the specifics needed to escape a rock-solid side control.

[Click for Video] Frame Side Control Escape (Lachlan Giles): From 3:50 on, a side control escape is taught. The escape involves getting both your inside elbow and inside knee against your opponent's hip in order to make a frame. Additionally, the outside arm will frame against the neck. Once the frame is established the outside knee will be used for a knee shield.

How to Perform the Underhook Escape

[Click for Video] 255lbs vs. 155lbs Side Control Escape (Brian Peterson): Escaping side control when your opponent has 100 lbs on you. This video dives into the scenario of how to escape with a much bigger opponent. The video instructs the scenario where you begin your side control escape and your opponent switches to kesa getame. 

[Click for Video] Escape side control fundamentals part 2 (Lachlan Giles): How to escape side control using the underhook method. You'll want to frame to give yourself distance from your opponent and then get an underhook. After that, you'll sprawl and turn your body 180 degrees away from your opponent.

[Click for Video] Escaping Side Control With Underhook (Marcelo Garcia): A three-part lesson when your opponent is holding you down with a balanced side control. This video emphasizes framing against your opponent so that you can make space and get an underhook with your inside arm. Once you have an underhook you'll bridge to the side to get the escape.

How to Perform the Buggy Choke

[Click for Video] Buggy Choke Developed By Ralph Gracie Team Member Austin Hardt (Tony Pacenski): This video shows the 'buggy choke' which is a submission you can get from bottom side control.

How to Perform an Americana Submission

[Click for Video] How to Do an Americana from Side Control (Rene A. Dreifuss): This video goes into the proper arm and hand placement that you will need to finish the Americana from side control. 

How to Perform the Kimura Submission

[Click for Video] How To Do The Perfect Kimura From Side Control (John Danaher): John Danaher delivers exceptional wisdom into the secrets of finishing the kimura from side control. Among many things, he talks about the importance of having a pushing and a pulling hand and using the pulling hand to create tension on the shoulder. Watch the video for crucial tips.

How to Avoid Wrist Injury

[Click for Video] Escape side control fundamentals (Lachlan Giles): At 6:35 this video goes over an important detail regarding avoiding a wrist injury when escaping side control. An important detail for staying safe.

How to Maintain Side Control

[Click for Video] Gordon Ryan PSA for side control (Gordon Ryan): This video explains that you should avoid sprawling your legs when in side control.