What comes next from side control
Side control: the top player lies chest to chest across the bottom player, past the legs. The top player is winning and wants to pin and move to mount. The bottom player wants to frame (block with the forearms) and get the guard back.
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Learn the position itself: Side Control in the library ›
If you are the top player
Best The choice that works most often here.
- Kill the near elbow, crossface
Control their near elbow and push your shoulder into their jaw (a crossface). Without that elbow, they cannot escape.
Leads to side control with crossface ›
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Knee on belly
Hold the collar and belt and put your knee across their belly. Knee on belly scores 2 points.
Leads to knee on belly › - Transition to mount
Pin their far hip and step your knee over their belly. You get mount for 4 points.
Leads to mount › - North-south
Walk around their head so you lie chest to chest, head to hips. This takes away their frames.
Leads to north-south › - Kesa gatame
Sit through so your hip is next to theirs, and trap their head and arm. This is kesa gatame, also called scarf hold.
Leads to kesa gatame › - Pressure and rest
Keep your hips low and your chest heavy. Let them get tired.
You stay in this position.
Risky Can work, but often goes wrong.
- Americana on a bent arm
If they push with a bent arm, pin the wrist and turn the arm. Do not chase it, or you lose the crossface and they get an underhook.
Ends the match if it works: a submission.
If you are the bottom player
Best The choice that works most often here.
- Frame, shrimp, recover guard
Frame on their neck and hip, bridge, then shrimp (move your hips out) and bring your knee in. This is the main escape back to guard.
Leads to open guard ›
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Turn in and get the underhook
Turn onto your side facing them and get an underhook (an arm under their armpit). Then come up to your knees.
Leads to side control, turned in › - Bridge into them for space
Lift your hips into them, not away. This makes space for an underhook.
Leads to side control, bottom underhook › - Frames in, stay on your side
Put your elbow on their hip and your forearm on their neck, and stay on your side. Never lie flat.
You stay in this position.
Mistake Avoid this: it usually makes things worse.
- Push their face with straight arms
Pushing with straight arms gives them your arm. They can attack it with an americana.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above. - Turn away to your belly
Turning onto your belly gives them your back. Always turn toward them.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above.
Train it on the Path
The language of control unit turns this into short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
The Path goes in order: start free from lesson one and you reach The language of control on the way. With Rolla Plus you can jump straight here.