3 Easy Side Control Submissions
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Standard Side Control·Will Brooks Official
Dominate from side control with these three submission options: a choke, an armbar, and one absolutely mean crushing fin…
Standard Side Control
SubFamilyスタンダード横四方固め(Sutandādo Yoko-shiho-gatame)
HybridTranslation: standard side control
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Side control is one of the most commonly achieved dominant positions in BJJ and MMA competition. [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
✓Standard side control subfamily covers the primary configurations of chest-to-chest perpendicular control — the foundational top pin in grappling (Saulo Ribeiro, Jiu-Jitsu University, 2008)
✓Standard side control uses: crossface with the near arm, underhook or hip block with the far arm, chest pressure driving into the opponent, and hips low to the ground
✓The standard configuration is the starting point: from here, transition to kesa gatame, twister side control, or advance to mount
✓Standard side control maintenance requires constant adjustment: when the opponent shrimps, follow; when they bridge, absorb and resettle
✓The near-side underhook from standard side control controls the opponent's far arm and prevents them from framing
✓In competition, standard side control is the position of rest — it allows the top player to recover energy while maintaining dominance
✓Drill: start in standard side control, partner escapes for 3 minutes — focus on maintaining the position through adjustments
Common Mistakes
!Settling into one side control configuration permanently — alternate between different arm positions and pressures
!Not following the opponent's escape attempts — when they shrimp, adjust; when they bridge, resettle
!Keeping both arms on one side — one arm crossfaces, the other controls the far side
!Allowing the opponent to get both arms inside — at least one arm should be controlled from standard side control
!Not driving pressure through the chest — the chest is the primary control tool, not the arms
!Using standard side control without transition threats — the opponent should feel threatened by mount, knee on belly, and submissions
!Relaxing in side control — the opponent is always working to escape; maintain active pressure
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] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [4] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] 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] Kodokan Judo (Kano, 1986) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [3] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [4] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [2] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
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
Chest-To-Chest Side Control
GenusThe Chest-To-Chest Side Control emphasises maximum chest pressure against the bottom fighter's chest, using bodyweight compression as the primary control mechanism while the arms control the head and far hip. [1] The chest-to-chest configuration provides the strongest pinning pressure and is the most difficult side control to escape because the top fighter's weight is directly on the bottom fighter's breathing. [1,2] It is the default side control control position taught in most BJJ academies. [2,3]
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Crossface Side Control
GenusThe Crossface Side Control uses a crossface — driving the forearm across the bottom fighter's face from jaw to shoulder — as the primary upper body control from side control. [1] The crossface turns the bottom fighter's head away, which limits their ability to turn into the top fighter, create frames, or set up escape sequences. [1,2] Crossface side control is one of the most effective side control configurations because the head control restricts the bottom fighter's options dramatically. [2,3]
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Underhook Side Control
GenusThe Underhook Side Control uses an underhook on the far arm as the primary upper body control, with the other arm controlling the head or near hip. [1] The underhook provides strong control of the bottom fighter's upper body while leaving the head relatively free, which creates different tactical dynamics than crossface side control. [1,2] The underhook side control is particularly effective for transitioning to mount, as the underhook facilitates stepping over to mount position. [2,3]
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I place my knee when applying neon belly from side control?
According to Will Brooks, you want to avoid placing your knee directly on the opponent's hips since the pelvis is strong and won't restrict breathing effectively. Instead, target the diaphragm area higher up on the torso.
How do I know if I'm applying neon belly correctly?
Will Brooks notes that you'll see the opponent's face turn bright red and veins pop out—this is your landmark that you're doing it right. Hold the position for a couple seconds, as it typically takes time rather than being an instant tap.
What's the hand placement technique when transitioning from side control?
Will Brooks explains that after establishing an underhook and applying downward pressure through the elbow, step wide and place your free hand on the mat behind your opponent's back, then step over their head while spinning off your back leg and keeping your hips close to their body.
How does the Standard Side Control work?
The 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. 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.
Where does the Standard Side Control come from?
Standard side control derives from judo's yoko-shiho-gatame (lateral four-corner hold) and is one of the most fundamental positions in all grappling systems. BJJ developed an extensive curriculum of attacks and transitions from the position.
Is the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Side Control?
The standard setup chain: Achieve Guard Contact → Control Grips → Manage Distance → Threaten Submissions/Sweeps.
How do I defend against the Standard 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 Standard 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 Standard Side Control in competition?
Side control is one of the most commonly achieved dominant positions in BJJ and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Standard Side Control?
Top errors to watch for: Settling into one side control configuration permanently — alternate between different arm positions and pressures / Not following the opponent's escape attempts — when they shrimp, adjust; when they bridge, resettle / Keeping both arms on one side — one arm crossfaces, the other controls the far side / Allowing the opponent to get both arms inside — at least one arm should be controlled from standard side control.
What are other names for the Standard Side Control?
The Standard Side Control is also known as Sutandādo Yoko-shiho-gatame, Cross Side, Hundred Kilos, Side Mount, Yoko Shiho Gatame (横四方固め).