Side control survival
Side control is when the other person lies across you, past your legs. This tutorial shows how to stay on your side, block the crossface and survive the pins.
On your side, never flat
In side control, their chest is on yours and they are past your legs. The survival position puts you on your side, facing them.
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You are on your side and turned in toward them, not flat on your back. Escape to the Knees in the library ›
- On your side, facing them.
- Near elbow tight to your hip.
- Far hand on their bicep.
- Chin tucked toward their hip.
Block the crossface
The crossface is their arm or shoulder across your jaw, turning your face away. The body follows the head, so your shoulders go flat.
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Look at their shoulder: it is across your jaw and turns your face away. Crossface in the library ›
- Put your hand on their bicep.
- Turn your chin toward their hip.
- Turn onto your side.
- Put your frames in.
- Wait for them to move.
Your partner has side control. Their arm starts to slide under your head. You put your hand on their bicep and turn your chin toward their hip. The arm has no path under your head.
Free a pinned hand
Sometimes your near hand gets pinned under their chest. The hand comes out by the elbow, not the wrist.
- Turn in toward them.
- Slide your elbow down toward your hip.
- Your hand comes free.
- Slide that arm under their arm for the underhook.
The underhook is your arm under their arm. It stops them flattening you, and it starts the escape to your knees.
Kesa gatame and north-south
| Pin | What it looks like | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Kesa gatame (scarf hold) | They sit beside you, hip to hip, holding your head and one arm | Keep the trapped arm bent, turn in, elbow to the mat |
| Reverse kesa gatame | They face your legs, hip against your ribs | Near knee up, frame on their hip |
| North-south | Their chest on yours, their head by your hips | Hands together, elbows in |
Kesa GatameKesa gatame: they sit beside you and hold your head and one arm.
North-SouthNorth-south: they lie head to toe with you, chest on your chest.
In which pin are your legs and body the main target, more than your head?
Common mistakes
- Hugging their neck. Their weight lands on your chest.
- Lying flat to rest. The crossface and mount come next.
- Turning your face away. You give them the crossface.
- Turning onto your belly. They take your back.
- Pushing with straight arms. They isolate an arm.
You are surviving side control. Your partner lifts some weight off you and steps a knee toward your belly. You turn in and bring your knee and elbow together. Their knee cannot get past that wall.
Train it on the Path
Reading is the first step. The Side control survival unit has 5 short lessons: you see a position and pick the best move.
The Path goes in order: start free from lesson one and you reach Side control survival on the way. With Rolla Plus you can jump straight here.