What comes next from side control, bottom player turned in
The bottom player has turned onto their side, toward the top player, with an underhook (an arm under the armpit). The top player is only a little ahead now and wants to flatten the bottom player again. The bottom player wants to come up to the knees.
Loading 3D view
Learn the position itself: Side Control in the library ›
If you are the top player
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Sprawl and front headlock
Move your hips back and put your chest on their head. They end up on hands and knees (turtle) in front of you.
Leads to turtle › - Re-establish side control
Crossface them and drive their shoulders back to the mat. You are back in side control.
Leads to side control › - Settle your weight and breathe
Keep your hips heavy and your hands calm. Wait for them to make a mistake.
You stay in this position.
Risky Can work, but often goes wrong.
- Darce on the turned-in head
Their head is next to their arm, so thread your arm through for a D'Arce choke (an arm-in choke). If it fails, they keep the underhook.
Ends the match if it works: a submission.
Mistake Avoid this: it usually makes things worse.
- Pull them back flat by the far arm
Pulling their far arm lets them come up under you. They can get back to their feet.
Usually goes wrong. Choose a better option above.
If you are the bottom player
Best The choice that works most often here.
- Drive to your knees and come up
Keep the underhook, put your head on the outside and drive up. A scramble (both players moving fast) is better than being pinned.
Leads to standing ›
Good Works well with the right setup.
- Recover half guard
As you turn, hook their near leg with your legs. You already have the underhook, so you are in a good half guard.
Leads to half guard with underhook › - Hold and rest
Lying on your side with an underhook is a good place to rest. Breathe and get ready to move.
You stay in this position.
Risky Can work, but often goes wrong.
- Go under for the back
Duck under their arm and climb to their back. Only try it when they are high on you, or they pin you again.
Leads to back control ›
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.