The Secret to a World Class Side Control
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Crossface Side Control·JonThomasBJJ
This video I overview the key aspects of a strong side control. I focus primarily on the key principle of using your che…
Crossface Side Control
Genusクロスフェイス横四方(Kurosufeisu Yoko-shiho)
HybridTranslation: crossface side control
Overview
The 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]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Crossface side control uses a forearm across the opponent's face to control their head and prevent escape. [1]
Lineage
The crossface is a fundamental control concept in wrestling adapted into BJJ side control. [1]
Competition Record
Crossface side control is widely used in BJJ and MMA competition. [1]
Images
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Perpendicular chest-to-chest control — pinning the opponent's upper body while maintaining mobility
Joints Involved — Attacker's chest (primary contact), hips (sprawled or driving), opponent's near shoulder and hip (controlled)
Force Vector — Downward and lateral — chest pressure pins the opponent while hip positioning prevents escape
Positional Mechanic — Crossface and underhook combination controls the opponent's head and near arm, preventing bridging or turning
Position & Entry
From guard pass — After passing the guard, settle into side control with chest on the opponent's chest, perpendicular body angle
From takedown (top landing) — Complete a takedown and transition to side control by establishing crossface and underhook
From mount (transition down) — When the opponent bucks or rolls from mount, transition to side control to maintain top position
Variants
Standard side control — crossface and underhook, chest on chest
Kesa gatame — head control with arm trapped, hip facing the opponent
Reverse kesa gatame — facing the opponent's legs with arm control
Modified side control — arm under the head, leg-side arm controlling the hip
Videos
How to Make Side Control BRUTAL with the Crossface
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Crossface Side Control·Stephan Kesting
BJJ black belt Cal MacDonald came into the Grapplearts dojo to share the details of the side control crossface for maxim…
Setting A Crossface - A Crucial Skill of Half Guard Passing by John Danaher
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Crossface Side Control·BJJ Fanatics
A CRUCIAL SKILL OF HALF GUARD PASSING SETTING A CROSS FACE https://bjjfanatics.com In this BJJ Techniques video, John D…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The crossface side control is a dominant positional technique where the top player controls the opponent's head by wrapping an arm underneath it and hooking into the armpit area, then using their shoulder and body weight to apply pressure and immobilize the bottom player's head and neck. According to Stephan Kesting, the crossface leverages the chin as a fulcrum while the top player's shoulder drives into the jaw; critical to its brutality is full-body engagement—the top player rises onto their toes and drives their hips at an angle to transfer maximal body weight downward rather than relying solely on arm strength. JonThomasBJJ emphasizes that while the crossface is a useful tool, it must be paired with chest pressure to keep the opponent's shoulder blades pinned to the mat; fixating solely on the crossface allows the bottom player to turn onto their side and escape. John Danaher (BJJ Fanatics) stresses precise hand placement, positioning the middle finger in the armpit opening where it meets the rear deltoid, and identifies the true power source as hip movement rather than shoulder drive—the top player should walk their hips as close as possible to their elbow to generate genuine pressure and partial strangulation effect. All three instructors agree the position is highly effective but highlight different mechanical details: Kesting focuses on preventing escape, JonThomasBJJ on integrating chest pressure with the crossface, and Danaher on optimal grip placement and hip engagement for maximum control.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Stephan Kesting — How to Make Side Control BRUTAL with the Crossface: Describes crossface mechanics using chin as lever and shoulder drive; emphasizes full-body weight transfer via hip engagement and toe elevation; details escape prevention and defensive hand positioning from bottom.
- JonThomasBJJ — The Secret to a World Class Side Control: Establishes crossface as one tool within broader framework of shoulder blade pinning via chest pressure; critiques over-reliance on crossface alone; demonstrates how chest pressure and positioning adjustments maintain control despite opponent's escape attempts.
- BJJ Fanatics — Setting A Crossface - A Crucial Skill of Half Guard Passing by John Danaher: Provides precise grip setup with middle finger in armpit; identifies hip movement as primary power source rather than shoulder drive; explains how walking hips toward elbow creates genuine pressure and partial strangulation effect for head control.
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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
✓Crossface side control emphasizes the crossface as the primary control mechanism — the forearm drives across the opponent's jaw, turning their head and eliminating their ability to turn toward you (Danaher, Pin Escapes and Turtle Turnover, 2019)
✓The crossface is the single most important technique in all of top-position grappling — it controls the opponent's spine through their head
✓Crossface pressure should drive the opponent's chin toward their far shoulder — this makes them look away from you and limits their movement options
✓The crossface arm should be deep: the forearm crosses the chin, and the hand grips the far shoulder or mat
✓Crossface side control combined with a near-side underhook creates the tightest possible side control configuration
✓The crossface prevents: turning toward you (the fundamental escape direction), framing against your neck, and establishing an underhook
✓When the opponent successfully gets a frame against the crossface, they have begun their escape — preventing the frame is critical
✓Drill: hold crossface side control while partner tries to turn in — 2-minute rounds, focus on maintaining the crossface angle
Common Mistakes
!Applying the crossface too lightly — the crossface must have significant pressure to control the head
!Not driving the chin far enough — the goal is to turn their head completely away from you
!Placing the forearm on the neck instead of the jaw — the jaw is the control point for head turning
!Not gripping with the crossface hand — the hand should anchor on the far shoulder or mat for stability
!Relying solely on the crossface without hip pressure — the crossface and hip pressure work together
!Allowing the opponent to get a frame against the crossface — fight to maintain the crossface position
!Not adjusting the crossface angle when the opponent moves — the crossface must follow the opponent's head
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Pass the Guard — clear the opponent's legs to advance to this dominant position
2Settle Weight — distribute body weight to maintain heavy pressure
3Control Arms — manage the opponent's arms to prevent frames and escapes
4Threaten Submissions — attack to force defensive reactions and maintain dominance
Sources & References
Primary Source
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Renzo Gracie & Royler Gracie, 2001)
1BookJiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008)
Alias sources — [1] Jiu-Jitsu University (Ribeiro, 2008) [2] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003) [3] UWW Wrestling Rules
2BookBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
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) [3] UWW Wrestling Rules
5CitationBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Theory and Technique (Gracie & Gracie, 2001)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Mastering Jujitsu (Gracie & Danaher, 2003)
Community
Athletics
Requires
chest-to-chest pressure, hip positioning, crossface control
Favours
broad chest and shoulders for heavy top pressure
Key muscles
pectorals, deltoids, core, hip extensors
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I actually aim my hand when setting a crossface?
John Danaher emphasizes that you should aim your hand to cover the rear deltoids of your opponent's shoulders, not their neck. Place your middle finger into the armpit where it meets the rear deltoid and lat muscle—this positioning allows your shoulder to exert maximal pressure.
How do I defend against getting my neck twisted up in a crossface?
Stephan Kesting recommends getting on your side with your hip facing your opponent and using a frame to create space. Walk your fingers up like you're slicking your hands through your hair to get inside the space and prevent your opponent from fully controlling your head.
Is the crossface the most important thing to focus on in side control?
Jon Thomas explains that while the crossface is a useful tool, many people fixate too much on it. The core foundation of side control is keeping your opponent's shoulder blades pinned to the mat using chest pressure, which is more important than the crossface alone.
Why should I stay on my side when defending against a crossface?
Stephan Kesting emphasizes that staying on your side and basing with your foot to keep your hip facing your opponent prevents him from turning you fully onto your back, which is key to defending against the brutal effects of the crossface.
How does the Crossface Side Control work?
The 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. 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.
Where does the Crossface Side Control come from?
The crossface is a wrestling-derived control technique adopted into BJJ side control, combining the wrestling crossface with BJJ's lateral pinning position. It has become one of the most commonly used side control controls in both BJJ and MMA.
Is the Crossface 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 Crossface 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 Crossface Side Control?
The standard setup chain: Pass the Guard → Settle Weight → Control Arms → Threaten Submissions.
How do I defend against the Crossface Side Control?
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 Crossface Side Control?
Common variants: Standard side control (crossface and underhook, chest on chest); Kesa gatame (head control with arm trapped, hip facing the opponent); Reverse kesa gatame (facing the opponent's legs with arm control); Modified side control (arm under the head, leg-side arm controlling the hip).
How effective is the Crossface Side Control in competition?
Crossface side control is widely used in BJJ and MMA competition.
What are common mistakes when doing the Crossface Side Control?
Top errors to watch for: Applying the crossface too lightly — the crossface must have significant pressure to control the head / Not driving the chin far enough — the goal is to turn their head completely away from you / Placing the forearm on the neck instead of the jaw — the jaw is the control point for head turning / Not gripping with the crossface hand — the hand should anchor on the far shoulder or mat for stability.
What are other names for the Crossface Side Control?
The Crossface Side Control is also known as Kurosufeisu Yoko-shiho, Crossface Side Mount, Crossface Control, Crossface Pin.