4 BJJ Submissions From Side Control
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Side Control·fightTIPS
BJJ Coach Erin Herle is back with Vince 'The Anomaly' to show you 4 submissions from a very dominant side control positi…
Side Control
Family横四方固め(Yoko-shiho-gatame)
TraditionalTranslation: side control
Overview
The Side Control family covers the dominant top position where the controlling fighter lies perpendicular to the bottom fighter, chest-to-chest, having passed the guard to achieve a lateral pin. [1] Side control is one of the most important positions in grappling because it is the most commonly achieved dominant position after passing the guard, and it provides a stable platform for attacks while the bottom fighter has limited options. [1],[2] This family covers standard side control, kesa gatame (scarf hold), and twister side control, each offering different control mechanics and submission opportunities. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Side control is one of the primary dominant positions in grappling, providing the top fighter with strong pinning control and access to submissions, transitions to mount, and knee-on-belly. [1] Ribeiro describes side control as the consolidation position after a guard pass, from which the top player should advance to mount or back. [2] Side control scores three points in IBJJF competition (as part of a guard pass). [3]
Lineage
Competition Record
Side control is a fundamental dominant position in BJJ, judo, and MMA. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Using the legs and hips to control the opponent from the bottom — maintaining distance management and attack angles
Joints Involved — Hips (primary engine for sweeps and attacks), knees (framing and hooking), ankles (secondary hooks)
Force Vector — Pulling, framing, and hip-escaping — creating angles for attacks while preventing passing
Positional Mechanic — The guard is an active offensive position — leg control compensates for bottom positioning by threatening sweeps and submissions
Position & Entry
From pulling guard or being taken down — Establish the guard position using legs and hips to control the opponent from the bottom
From transition — Move between guard variations to maintain bottom control and create attack opportunities
Videos
1 video
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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
✓Side control is a dominant top position where the passer lies chest-to-chest perpendicular to the opponent, controlling them with weight, crossface, and hip pressure (Saulo Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University, 2008)
✓Side control is the most common top position in grappling — it is where most guard passes end
✓The crossface (forearm across the opponent's jaw) is the primary control: it turns the head away and prevents the opponent from turning in
✓Weight distribution in side control: the hips should be low and heavy, the chest should be driving into the opponent
✓Side control offers multiple submission avenues: Americana, kimura, far-side armbar, and north-south choke transitions
✓From side control, the advancement chain is: side control → knee on belly → mount → back take
✓In MMA, side control enables significant ground-and-pound: short elbows and punches from side control are fight-ending
✓Side control scores 3 points in IBJJF competition when achieved from a guard pass
Common Mistakes
!Lying on top of the opponent without pressure — sink the hips and drive the chest into them
!Not using the crossface — the crossface is the primary control; without it, the opponent can turn in and escape
!Keeping the hips too high — low hips prevent the opponent from creating space underneath
!Staying in side control without advancing — advance to mount, knee on belly, or attack submissions
!Using only arm strength to hold — side control is maintained with body weight and hip pressure, not arms
!Not blocking the opponent's near hip — the hip frame is how they escape; block it with your knee or hip
!Holding side control in one position without transitioning — movement between different side control variations makes the position harder to escape
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Achieve Guard Contact — establish leg control around or against the opponent
2Control Grips — secure sleeve, collar, or wrist control for manipulation
3Manage Distance — use legs and grips to control the range and prevent passing
4Threaten Submissions/Sweeps — create offensive threats to keep the opponent reactive
Sources & References
Primary Source
Jiu-Jitsu University (Saulo Ribeiro, 2008)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules and Regulations [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [4] IBJJF Rules and Regulations
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] IBJJF Rules and Regulations
Standard Japanese martial arts terminology (kanji/hiragana)
4OtherJapanese Martial Arts Standard Terminology (武道用語)
Established Japanese martial arts naming convention — native Japanese term (和語/漢語)
5CitationJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] IBJJF Rules and Regulations [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [4] IBJJF Rules and Regulations
6CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] IBJJF Rules and Regulations
Community
Athletics
Requires
hip flexibility, active legs, grip management
Favours
long legs for distance control and guard retention
Key muscles
hip flexors, adductors, quadriceps, core, grip
Sub-techniques
Kesa Gatame
SubFamilyThe Kesa Gatame subfamily covers the scarf hold variation of side control, where the controlling fighter wraps one arm around the opponent's head and the other controls the near arm, with the hips turned to face the opponent's head. [1] Kesa gatame is one of the most traditional pinning positions in judo, providing extremely strong pinning pressure through the hip-and-shoulder weight distribution. [1,2] The position has several variations including standard kesa, modified kesa (kuzure-kesa-gatame), and reverse kesa, each with different control and attack options. [2,3]
4 genera·4 techniquesExplore
Standard Side Control
SubFamilyThe Standard Side Control subfamily covers the basic lateral side control position where the top fighter lies perpendicular to the bottom fighter, using chest pressure and arm controls to maintain the pin. [1] Standard side control is the most commonly achieved and maintained top position in grappling, serving as the primary position after guard passing and the transition point to mount, knee-on-belly, and north-south. [1,2] Variations include chest-to-chest, crossface, and underhook side control, each using different upper body control mechanics. [2,3]
3 genera·3 techniquesExplore
Twister Side Control
SubFamilyThe Twister Side Control subfamily covers the side control variation specific to the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu system, where the top fighter sets up the twister submission (a spinal lock) from a modified side control position. [1] Twister side control involves a specific body positioning and grip that enables the twister finish — a rotational submission that attacks the spine. [1,2] The position is unique to the 10th Planet system and requires specific set-up sequences from standard side control. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Uki Gatame
SubFamilyUki Gatame is a judo hold-down where the attacker controls the opponent from a floating position — lying across the opponent's chest without heavy body contact, using arm and leg control to maintain the pin. [1] Unlike the heavy pressure of Kesa Gatame, Uki Gatame uses skeletal alignment and positioning to maintain control with minimal energy expenditure. [1]
Explore
Notes
Side control (yoko-shiho-gatame in judo, cross-side in wrestling) is the primary controlling position after passing the guard. It scores 3 points in IBJJF competition as a guard pass. (IBJJF Rules v6.0; Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shouldn't I let my opponent's elbow touch the mat in side control?
If your opponent's elbow gets to the mat, they can shrimp out and bring their knee in to create space, undoing all your work to establish the position. According to fightTIPS, you should keep their elbow up and stay on your toes ready to move.
How do I trap my opponent's arm in side control?
Pull your opponent up so your elbow is on top of your thigh with your legs spread open, trapping their arm. This keeps them from escaping while you maintain a solid side control position, as explained in fightTIPS.
What should I do with my foot position to maintain control in side control?
Keep your foot flexed and shaped around your opponent's hip—this is the most important part for maintaining pressure. If they move at all, you move with them; if they don't move, your foot is posted as a base for control.
How should I adjust my positioning if my opponent turns toward me in side control?
Don't try to stay too rigid; if your opponent turns and you move with them, you can open up submission opportunities like the arm bar or guillotine. According to fightTIPS, staying too tight when they turn can result in you getting swept to the bottom.
How does the Side Control work?
The Side Control family covers the dominant top position where the controlling fighter lies perpendicular to the bottom fighter, chest-to-chest, having passed the guard to achieve a lateral pin. Side control is one of the most important positions in grappling because it is the most commonly achieved dominant position after passing the guard, and it provides a stable platform for attacks while the bottom fighter has limited options.
Where does the Side Control come from?
Side control is one of the foundational pinning positions in both judo (yoko-shiho-gatame/lateral four-corner hold) and wrestling. BJJ expanded the side control system with additional variations and a comprehensive submission curriculum from the position.
Is the Side Control 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 Side Control?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — top positions enable pressure and striking; rib compression risk under heavy pressure
How do I set up the Side Control?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Side Control?
Standard counters include: Guard Pass — systematically work to clear the legs and establish a dominant position / Leg Pin — control one or both legs to neutralize guard retention / Pressure Passing — use heavy chest pressure to flatten and immobilize the guard player.
What are the variants of the Side Control?
Common variants: Standard guard (primary leg and grip configuration for control and attack…); Offensive guard (configured for sweeps and submissions); Defensive guard (prioritising distance management and preventing passes); Transition guard (moving between guard types to adjust to the opponent's pa…).
How effective is the Side Control in competition?
Side control is a fundamental dominant position in BJJ, judo, and MMA.
What are common mistakes when doing the Side Control?
Top errors to watch for: Lying on top of the opponent without pressure — sink the hips and drive the chest into them / Not using the crossface — the crossface is the primary control; without it, the opponent can turn in and escape / Keeping the hips too high — low hips prevent the opponent from creating space underneath / Staying in side control without advancing — advance to mount, knee on belly, or attack submissions.
What are other names for the Side Control?
The Side Control is also known as Yoko-shiho-gatame, Side Mount, Cross Body, Yoko Shiho Gatame, 100 Kilos.