BJJ position
Side control
Side control is a pinning position where the top player lies across the opponent's chest, perpendicular to them, after passing the guard. It is heavy, stable and scores points in competition. From the top you can move to mount, knee on belly or the back, or attack the arms with kimuras and americanas. From the bottom the priority is survival first: protect your neck, build frames and stop the opponent from settling, then create space to recover guard or come up to your knees.
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If you're on the bottom
- Frame early with your forearms on the hip and the neck or shoulder
- Make space with a hip escape and bring a knee back in to recover guard
- Get the underhook to come up to your knees when the top player is high
If you're on top
- Stay chest to chest with your weight on the opponent, not on your knees
- Control the head with a crossface and the far arm with an underhook
- Move to mount, knee on belly or a submission while they are busy defending
Key details
- Turn to your side on the bottom; lying flat makes every escape harder
- Frames block, they don't push: hold the shape and move your body away
- On top, keep your hips low and switch your base as the opponent moves
- Follow their escape attempts instead of fighting them with strength
Common mistakes
- Pushing away with straight arms, which exposes the arms to submissions
- Waiting too long to frame, after the top player has already settled
- On top: floating with your hips high so the bottom player can recover guard
Techniques from side control
In the BJJ Navigator library, each with a video clip.
Elbow Escape by Danaher escape, bottomUnderhook escape escape, bottomAmericana - Armbar - Kimura sequence submission, topFailed Americana Armbar submission, topKnee on belly escapes escape, bottomKnee on belly attacks submission, topKnee on belly escape sweep escape, bottomStrong grip escape options escape, bottom
Related positions
Add side control to your map
Free, no sign-up needed. Save your own clips and notes for every technique.