North-south is an often underutilized but highly effective dominant position. Positioned perpendicular to your opponent with hip-to-hip pressure, north-south creates unique submission opportunities β particularly the kimura, reverse triangle, arm attacks, and north-south choke. This guide covers establishing, maintaining, and attacking from this powerful position.
Transition to north-south by walking your hips perpendicular to your opponent from side control or mount. Apply hip pressure to their shoulder girdle and keep your weight distributed through your hips, not your hands. Countering their escapes β the bridge, the guard recovery β requires stepping with your feet and shifting your center of gravity.
The north-south kimura is one of the highest-percentage submissions in BJJ. Isolate the far arm, figure-four the wrist and elbow, and finish by driving their hand toward their shoulder blade. The key is securing the arm before the opponent tucks it β use your chest pressure to create the opening.
The north-south choke (marcelotine) involves trapping the near arm, establishing a deep under-neck grip, and using shoulder pressure to compress the carotid arteries. It's a blood choke that can be applied from both sides, and particularly effective on opponents who bridge or turn into you during escape attempts.
From north-south, attack the near arm with a straight armbar by stepping over the head and extending. The reverse triangle (inverted triangle) traps both arm and neck from a perpendicular angle, creating a unique choke that is difficult to defend. These attacks chain naturally with the kimura system.
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Start Free →Most practitioners develop functional competency with North South Position Attacks within 3β6 months of consistent drilling. Mastery β the ability to execute reliably in live rolling against resisting opponents β typically takes 1β2 years.
Yes. North South Position Attacks is part of the core BJJ curriculum and taught at all belt levels. Beginners should focus on the fundamental mechanics and concepts before refining advanced entries.
3β5 times per week is ideal for rapid skill acquisition. Even 10 focused repetitions per session compounds over time β consistency matters more than volume.
BJJ is a linked system. North South Position Attacks flows naturally to and from related positions. Study transitions in both directions to build a complete positional game.
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Get Free Access βControl their hips by maintaining strong shoulder pressure and framing with your legs. Keep your chest tight to their body to limit their movement and prevent them from bridging or turning into you.
The most common submissions are the kimura, the armbar, and the north-south choke (also known as the Von Flue choke). Each requires specific body positioning and leverage to execute effectively.
Focus on driving your shoulder into their sternum and keeping your hips low and heavy. Actively use your legs to 'hug' their hips or legs, preventing them from creating space or turning.
This strain often comes from pushing your opponent's head away with your arms instead of using your chest and collarbone to control their posture. To alleviate this, keep your chest firmly pressed against their sternum and use your shoulder and upper chest to drive into their head, creating a secure base that doesn't rely on isolated arm strength.
To overcome size disparity, focus on isolating their arm by driving your hip into their shoulder and using your opposite leg to hook their leg, preventing them from bridging out. Then, secure the kimura grip by cupping their wrist with your palm and sliding your other hand under their elbow, ensuring your forearm presses against their bicep to initiate the lock.
If their arm is tucked, use your chest and the pressure from your hips to create space by driving your shoulder into their ribs, forcing them to slightly extend their arm. Once you have a small opening, quickly slide your arm under their bicep, secure the wrist, and then use your body weight to pull their elbow towards their head, creating the leverage for the submission.