Side control

Brazilian jiu-jitsu / Popular

Hold and apply pressure from side control.

What coaches agree on

  • Holding side control comes down to blocking three things: your opponent's hip (with your knee or hand), their far shoulder or arm, and their head. Control all three and they have no way to turn onto their side and escape.
  • Pressure comes from how you place your weight, not from how hard you grip - stay up on your toes so you can drive your weight into your opponent like a wedge, and let your elbows and knees do the controlling so your hands stay free.
Let's escape side control.
Beginner

Let's escape side control.

Coach's take: Best of the escape videos here - actually builds the whole escape step by step for someone new to it.

3.4
CONCEPTS in escaping side control
Intermediate

CONCEPTS in escaping side control

Coach's take: Real concepts, not just "shrimp harder" - explains why the frame works and what changes when they re-grip.

3.4
Side Control : Creating Pressure
Beginner

Side Control : Creating Pressure

Coach's take: Real coaching here - weight and elbows, not grip strength. Guys who skip this stuff get their control passed.

3.3