My 3 Favorite North South Submission Attacks
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Attacking North-South·Stephan Kesting
There are many great attacks you can use from the North-South position in BJJ. Grab my free BJJ guide at https://www.gr…
Attacking North-South
SubFamily攻撃型南北(Kōgeki-gata Nanboku)
HybridTranslation: attacking north-south
Overview
The Attacking North-South subfamily covers north-south configurations specifically set up for submission attacks, particularly the kimura and north-south choke. [1] Attacking north-south positions use specific grips that enable immediate submission threats while maintaining the north-south control. [1],[2] The kimura grip north-south is the most common attacking configuration, providing a powerful bent-armlock opportunity from the position. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Attacking north-south positions the attacker for kimura, north-south choke, or arm attacks. [1]
Lineage
Attacking north-south was developed as an offensive variant in BJJ. [1]
Competition Record
Used in BJJ and MMA competition for submissions. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Establishing and maintaining a controlling position relative to the opponent
Joints Involved — Body positioning determines which joints and limbs are available for control and attack
Force Vector — Varies by position — gravity, frames, hooks, and pressure dictate control dynamics
Positional Mechanic — Hierarchy of positions — each position offers different offensive and defensive capabilities
Position & Entry
From side control (walking around) — Walk around the opponent's head from side control to north-south position, sprawling chest on their chest
From kimura attempt — When the opponent defends the kimura from side control, transition to north-south to maintain pressure
Videos
Reverse TRIANGLE North South ATTACK!!
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Attacking North-South·TeachMeGrappling Coach Brian
This video one of my top students Richie Meister of Lion Heart MMA demonstrates a new reverse triangle attack that he ha…
2 videos
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IBJJF — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring po...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal, mount scores 2 points
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal dominant position
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— UWW — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match ...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal, pin scores points
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓Attacking north-south configures the arms and body for immediate submission attempts from the north-south position — primarily the north-south choke and kimura (Danaher, Pin Escapes and Turtle Turnover, 2019)
✓Attacking north-south shifts from pure control to offensive: the arm positioning changes to set up the choke or kimura
✓The north-south choke setup: from north-south, underhook the near arm, drop the shoulder beside the neck, and lock a kimura-style grip around the throat
✓The kimura from north-south: control the near arm with a figure-four grip and rotate the arm behind the opponent's back
✓Attacking north-south requires timing: the transition from control to attack must be smooth or the opponent will escape during the change
✓The north-south choke is one of the highest-percentage chokes from top position — it is extremely difficult to defend once locked
✓Attacking north-south alternates: threaten the choke, switch to kimura when they defend the choke, return to the choke when they defend the kimura
Common Mistakes
!Attempting attacks without first establishing north-south control — the control must precede the attack
!Committing to one attack without chaining — the choke and kimura must be alternated based on the opponent's defence
!Transitioning to attack mode too slowly — the shift from control to attack should be sudden
!Not maintaining chest pressure while attacking — the pressure must continue even as the arms reconfigure
!Releasing arm control to set up the choke — maintain control of at least one arm throughout
!Attempting the north-south choke without proper shoulder placement — the shoulder must be tight against the neck
!Not practising the choke-to-kimura chain — the alternation between attacks must be drilled
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Position — transition into this position through passing, sweeping, or scrambling
2Stabilize — establish controlling grips and weight distribution
3Maintain — adjust to the opponent's escape attempts to hold position
4Attack — launch offensive techniques from the stabilized position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Mastering Jujitsu (Renzo Gracie & John Danaher, 2003)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Community
Athletics
Requires
body awareness, stability, control of weight distribution
Favours
athletic build with good proprioception
Key muscles
core, hips, legs for base stability
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the key to applying heavy pressure in a reverse triangle north-south attack?
Coach Brian emphasizes bringing your wrist bone up into the opponent's armpit while applying heavy hip pressure to keep them pinned on their side, similar to a ghost escape but with added downward force.
How do I set up an armbar from north-south position?
Coach Brian notes that you can transition to an armbar option by hiding your grip high and then repositioning—if your opponent reacts to defend, you can shift back into the armbar setup by controlling their elbow.
What's the advantage of using a double-under grip in north-south submissions?
Stephan Kesting explains that starting from a double-under position (both hands under the opponent's arms while sprawled back) gives you multiple submission options and creates angles to attack the neck.
How can I attack the neck when my opponent is hiding their arms in north-south?
Stephan Kesting describes that when an opponent tucks their upper body to hide their arms, this actually gives you a route around the neck for submissions like the Kimura or other neck attacks.
How does the Attacking North-South work?
The Attacking North-South subfamily covers north-south configurations specifically set up for submission attacks, particularly the kimura and north-south choke. Attacking north-south positions use specific grips that enable immediate submission threats while maintaining the north-south control.
Where does the Attacking North-South come from?
Attacking north-south positions developed in BJJ as the art's submission-focused approach applied to the traditional pinning position inherited from judo. The north-south choke and kimura from north-south became signature techniques of fighters like Marcelo Garcia and Jeff Monson.
Is the Attacking North-South legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal, mount scores 4 points — highest-scoring position; IJF: legal — Legal, osaekomi (pin) — 10-19 seconds scores waza-ari, 20 seconds scores ippon; ADCC: legal — Legal, mount scores 2 points; Unified MMA: legal — Legal dominant position; UWW: legal — Legal, back exposure scores points, pin ends match by fall; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal, pin scores points
How dangerous is the Attacking North-South?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Attacking North-South?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Position → Stabilize → Maintain → Attack.
How do I defend against the Attacking North-South?
Standard counters include: Bridge (Upa) — explosive hip elevation to off-balance the top player / Elbow-Knee Escape (Shrimp) — create space by driving elbow to knee and hip-escaping / Frame — establish forearm frames to prevent the top player from settling weight.
What are the variants of the Attacking North-South?
Common variants: Standard variation (primary positioning for control and attack); Offensive variation (configured for submission or striking opportunities); Transitional variation (positioned for quick movement to the next position); Defensive variation (prioritising stability and control over attack).
How effective is the Attacking North-South in competition?
Used in BJJ and MMA competition for submissions.
What are common mistakes when doing the Attacking North-South?
Top errors to watch for: Attempting attacks without first establishing north-south control — the control must precede the attack / Committing to one attack without chaining — the choke and kimura must be alternated based on the opponent's defence / Transitioning to attack mode too slowly — the shift from control to attack should be sudden / Not maintaining chest pressure while attacking — the pressure must continue even as the arms reconfigure.
What are other names for the Attacking North-South?
The Attacking North-South is also known as Kōgeki-gata Nanboku, Offensive North-South, Active North-South.