Side Control BJJ Cradle Attack
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Cradle From Side Control·David Avellan
If you find yourself stuck on top side control with nothing going on, the cradle might be the solution to your problems.…
Cradle From Side Control
Speciesクレイドル(Kureidoru)
TransliterationTranslation: Cradle (katakana loanword); cervical flexion neck crank
Overview
The cradle neck crank from side control is applied by the top player who locks a cradle grip — connecting the hands behind the opponent's head and under one leg — from the side control position, then drives the knee toward the head to compress the opponent into a ball and crank the cervical spine through forced flexion. [1],[2] The cradle locks the opponent's upper and lower body together, eliminating hip escape and bridging defense. [1] The neck crank occurs as the head is driven into the chest with increasing force from the clasped hands. [1],[2]
History & Origin
The cradle is one of wrestling's most fundamental pinning combinations, used extensively in American folkstyle wrestling. [1],[2] The transition from a cradle pin to a cradle neck crank in submission grappling occurred naturally as wrestlers brought their pinning techniques into BJJ and MMA. [1] The side control cradle became recognized as both a control position and a submission threat, reflecting the blending of wrestling control with submission grappling's finishing objectives. [1],[2]
Effectiveness
Highly effective control and submission tool from side control — the cradle locks the opponent's body and can create cervical pressure. Wrestlers transitioning to submission grappling find this particularly effective [1]
Lineage
A fundamental wrestling technique (near cradle / far cradle) adapted to submission grappling. The cradle has been part of folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling for over a century [1]
Competition Record
Common in wrestling-based MMA and submission grappling; Ben Askren and other folkstyle wrestlers have demonstrated the cradle's effectiveness in MMA competition [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Cross-collar or lapel-driven compression of the carotid arteries using gi material as a friction anchor
Joints Involved — Cervical spine (flexion or lateral bend), wrists and forearms (grip and rotation)
Force Vector — Opposing forearm rotation creates a scissors effect across both sides of the neck
Gi Factor — Lapel fabric increases friction and distributes force over a wider surface area, making the choke harder to escape
Position & Entry
From controlling position (gi) — Secure the necessary collar or lapel grips, configure hands for the choke, and apply opposing rotational pressure
From guard (gi) — Break posture and secure deep collar grips, feed the choke and angle to finish
From back control (gi) — Establish collar grip access, feed the second hand and apply the cross-collar squeeze
Videos
Wrestling Cradles in MMA & Jiu-Jitsu: Breakdown, Smash Guard, Submit
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Cradle From Side Control·Sonny Brown
Cradles aren’t just a wrestling pin. In BJJ and MMA, they’re a structure-breaking system that transitions from takedowns…
Using THE CRADLE to pass. When WRESTLING meets JIU JITSU
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Cradle From Side Control·Brandon Mccaghren
Bmac talks using this staple of Wrestling to pass in Jiu Jitsu & what we need to do to stop the guard recovery. Join th…
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The cradle from side control is a versatile grappling position that transitions from established side control into multiple offensive opportunities. David Avellan emphasizes the entry mechanics: after achieving side control, the practitioner threatens knee-on-belly to draw out the opponent's leg, then secures it with either a gable or S-grip while pinching the elbows together to create mechanical pressure. Avellan details two primary pathways from this position: if the opponent's arm extends outward, an armlock becomes available via knee-on-belly and elbow tracking; if the arm tucks inward, the position transitions to back control for rear-naked choke setup. Brandon Mccaghren focuses on the cradle pass mechanics, emphasizing S-grip advantages over gable grips—specifically the ability to apply the grip from distance and adjust angles—and detailing the sprawl-and-walk mechanics to pass into mount or back control. Sonny Brown provides the broadest systematic overview, categorizing nearside versus far-side cradles and explaining how the cradle functions as a breakdown tool by connecting two distant body points (head and leg) to create structural vulnerability. Brown also addresses cradle entries from knee shield, single-leg defense, and front headlock positions, plus submission transitions including guillotine, head-and-arm, das, and anaconda chokes accessible during cradle transitions. All three instructors agree on the fundamental principle: elbow pinching and compression against the opponent's head and leg create the controlling structure, though they emphasize different subsequent applications—Avellan on submission branching, Mccaghren on passing mechanics, and Brown on comprehensive positional theory.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- David Avellan — Side Control BJJ Cradle Attack: Detailed entry from side control via knee-on-belly threat; branching pathways to armlock (arm extended) and back control with rear-naked choke setup (arm tucked); hand positioning and elbow pinching mechanics
- Brandon Mccaghren — Using THE CRADLE to pass. When WRESTLING meets JIU JITSU: S-grip construction and advantages over gable grip; sprawl mechanics and weight distribution; detailed walkthrough of passing into mount or back control; elbow-pinching methodology and hip positioning
- Sonny Brown — Wrestling Cradles in MMA & Jiu-Jitsu: Breakdown, Smash Guard, Submit: Systematic classification of nearside versus far-side cradles; structural mechanics principle of connecting distant body points; cradle as breakdown tool; multiple entry positions (knee shield, single-leg defense, front headlock); submission transitions to guillotine, head-and-arm, das, and anaconda chokes
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
8
Very High8/10
Flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest; compresses anterior cervical structures
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Advanced
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Illegal
— FIAS Sport Sambo — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDFLegal
— IBJJF — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes a...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— ADCC — Legal
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— Unified MMA — Legal — choke submissions are among the mos...
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDFTraining Notes
✓The cradle from side control connects the hands behind the opponent's head and under their near knee — folding the head and knee together from the top side control position (Paulson, Shoot Wrestling, 2007)
✓From side control: the crossface arm threads behind the head while the other arm hooks under the near knee — the hands connect to close the cradle
✓Side control provides optimal cradle geometry: the head and near knee are naturally close together from this position — the hand connection distance is short
✓The cradle from side control creates cervical hyperflexion: the head is driven toward the knee, compressing the cervical spine into maximum flexion
✓The technique serves dual function: in wrestling, it pins the opponent (both shoulders on the mat); in submission grappling, it creates a cervical crank
✓Finishing: squeeze the hands together while driving chest weight into the opponent — the head-to-knee fold compresses the cervical spine
✓The near-side cradle from side control is the most common cradle variation: the accessibility of both head and near knee makes it natural from the position
Common Mistakes
!Not connecting the hands — the cradle requires the hands to meet; if the head and knee are too far apart, adjust position before attempting
!Reaching for the knee without maintaining head control — the crossface must stay tight while the other hand reaches for the knee
!Releasing side control pressure during the reach — maintain chest-to-chest pressure while connecting the hands
!Not squeezing after connecting — the hand connection creates the position; active squeezing creates the crank
!Attempting when the opponent's leg is fully extended — the cradle requires the knee to be bent; use knee pressure or hip control to bend the leg
!Not driving weight into the fold — lean forward with chest weight to reinforce the head-to-knee compression
!Holding the cradle without transitioning if it doesn't submit — the cradle position supports knee-on-belly, mount transition, and other passes; move on if it doesn't finish
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Setup Chain
1Establish Position — achieve the controlling position needed for this submission
2Create the Threat — begin the submission setup to force a defensive reaction
3Secure the Hold — lock the submission grip with proper body mechanics
4Finish — apply increasing pressure until the opponent taps or the joint/choke takes effect
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese wrestling/BJJ standard terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese wrestling/BJJ standard terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese wrestling/BJJ standard terminology
Japanese terminology sourced from Japanese wrestling/BJJ standard terminology
Community
Athletics
Requires
grip or squeeze strength, positional control
Favours
strong upper body for sustained compression
Key muscles
forearms, biceps, pectorals, core stabilisers
Sub-techniques
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the correct hand and arm position when setting up a cradle from side control?
Brandon McCaghren emphasizes turning your palm down on your opponent's head rather than grabbing like a chin strap, then making an S-grip with your elbows trying to make them touch together.
How do I prevent my opponent from recovering guard after I start the cradle pass?
Brandon McCaghren advises dropping your hip and covering the opponent's elbow with your body weight below the elbow to prevent them from bumping you out with the high underhook.
What's the mechanical principle that makes the cradle so effective?
Sonny Brown explains that the cradle works by connecting two distant points of the body—the head and the leg—which creates a structural weakness that prevents effective posting and hip movement needed to escape.
What's the difference between a nearside and far side cradle?
Sonny Brown distinguishes that in a nearside cradle your chest faces your opponent's chest, while in a far side cradle your chest faces their back, with transitions between them opening up additional attacking opportunities.
How does the Cradle From Side Control work?
The cradle neck crank from side control is applied by the top player who locks a cradle grip — connecting the hands behind the opponent's head and under one leg — from the side control position, then drives the knee toward the head to compress the opponent into a ball and crank the cervical spine through forced flexion. The cradle locks the opponent's upper and lower body together, eliminating hip escape and bridging defense.
Where does the Cradle From Side Control come from?
The cradle is one of wrestling's most fundamental pinning combinations, used extensively in American folkstyle wrestling. The transition from a cradle pin to a cradle neck crank in submission grappling occurred naturally as wrestlers brought their pinning techniques into BJJ and MMA.
Is the Cradle From Side Control legal in competition?
IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, gi and no-gi — chokes are the safest submission cat…; IJF: legal — Legal (shime-waza) — strangulation techniques are one of three permitted subm…; ADCC: legal — Legal; Unified MMA: legal — Legal — choke submissions are among the most common finishes in MMA; FIAS Sport Sambo: banned — All chokes prohibited in Sport Sambo; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal
How dangerous is the Cradle From Side Control?
Danger rating 8/10. Flexion cranks force the chin toward the chest; compresses anterior cervical structures
How do I set up the Cradle From Side Control?
The standard setup chain: Establish Position → Create the Threat → Secure the Hold → Finish.
How do I defend against the Cradle From Side Control?
Standard counters include: Early Recognition — identify the submission attempt early and begin defence immediately / Posture and Base — maintain strong posture and base to prevent submission setups / Grip Fight — deny the attacker their preferred gripping configuration.
What are the variants of the Cradle From Side Control?
Common variants: Standard grip variation (primary hand configuration for maximum choking pressure); Gi variation (uses the lapel or collar as an anchor for additional fric…); No-gi variation (adapted grip and positioning for submission grappling wit…); Transition finish (applied during a positional change to catch the opponent …).
How effective is the Cradle From Side Control in competition?
Common in wrestling-based MMA and submission grappling; Ben Askren and other folkstyle wrestlers have demonstrated the cradle's effectiveness in MMA competition
What are common mistakes when doing the Cradle From Side Control?
Top errors to watch for: Not connecting the hands — the cradle requires the hands to meet; if the head and knee are too far apart, adjust posi… / Reaching for the knee without maintaining head control — the crossface must stay tight while the other hand reaches f… / Releasing side control pressure during the reach — maintain chest-to-chest pressure while connecting the hands / Not squeezing after connecting — the hand connection creates the position; active squeezing creates the crank.
What are other names for the Cradle From Side Control?
The Cradle From Side Control is also known as Kureidoru, Side Control Cradle Crank, Near-Side Cradle.