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North-South System

Category: Position · BJJ Wiki
Purple Belt Difficulty: ★★★★☆ — Advanced

North-south is a top control position where you face your opponent's feet while their feet face yours. It's a transitional hub between side control variations and a submission position in its own right.

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Contents

    Getting to North-South

    1

    Sliding Around the Head

    From side control, release the crossface and slide your body around their head in a circular motion. Keep chest pressure throughout — never let them sit up during the transition.

    2

    Weight Distribution

    In north-south, hips drive down onto their chest. Arms wrap around both sides of their head to control movement. Your chest is the primary pressure point.

    North-South Choke

    3

    Setup

    Under-hook their far arm with your near arm. Your choking arm goes under their neck from the other side. Clasp your hands or grab your own bicep.

    4

    Finishing

    Walk your legs toward their head while driving your shoulder into their carotid. The combination of shoulder blade compression and carotid compression creates the choke.

    Kimura from North-South

    5

    Far Arm Attack

    When they defend the north-south choke by posting with their far arm, that arm becomes vulnerable to kimura. Switch from choke setup to kimura figure-4 grip quickly.

    Transitions

    Pro Tip: The north-south choke is more common in no-gi where collars aren't available. In gi, it's excellent but the near-side collar choke from north-south is equally devastating — reach through to grab their far collar.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long does it take to learn North South System?

    Most practitioners develop functional competency with North South System within 3–6 months of consistent drilling. Mastery — the ability to execute reliably in live rolling against resisting opponents — typically takes 1–2 years.

    Is North South System effective for beginners?

    Yes. North South System 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.

    How often should I drill North South System?

    3–5 times per week is ideal for rapid skill acquisition. Even 10 focused repetitions per session compounds over time — consistency matters more than volume.

    What positions connect to North South System?

    BJJ is a linked system. North South System flows naturally to and from related positions. Study transitions in both directions to build a complete positional game.

    Related Techniques

    BJJ North-South Attacks — Kimura, Chokes & Ba... Side Control to North-South Position Dominating the North-South Position in Brazil...
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    More Questions

    What is the main goal of the North-South position in BJJ?

    The primary goal of North-South is to establish dominant control and set up submissions or positional advancements. It allows for significant pressure and limits the opponent's ability to escape or create space.

    How do I prevent my opponent from escaping North-South?

    To prevent escapes, focus on maintaining tight head and arm control, using your hips to drive forward, and keeping your weight distributed. Be mindful of your opponent's hips and try to cut off their escape routes by adjusting your body position.

    What are common submissions from North-South?

    Common submissions from North-South include the kimura (if you can isolate an arm), the armbar (often by transitioning to a different angle), and the Ezekiel choke. The key is to use the dominant position to create leverage for these attacks.

    Common BJJ Problems & FAQ

    Q: Why do I feel so much pressure on my neck when I'm trying to hold someone in the North-South System position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

    Excessive neck pressure often occurs when you're trying to force the position with your neck muscles instead of using your skeleton. To alleviate this, ensure your chest is pressed firmly into their sternum, creating a fulcrum, and use your hips to drive your shoulders into their upper chest, keeping your head neutral and looking forward.

    Q: How can I effectively transition to a submission from the North-South System if my opponent is much bigger than me and keeps posturing up?

    Against a larger opponent, focus on using your shoulder and hip pressure to break their posture down. Drive your shoulder into their collarbone while simultaneously using your hips to push their upper chest away, creating a wedge. This leverage allows you to control their frame and open opportunities for chokes like the North-South choke or kimura.

    Q: What is the most common mistake white belts make when trying to establish a strong North-South System control, and how can I avoid it?

    A common mistake is allowing your hips to sag and not creating a solid base, which lets your opponent bridge or shrimp out. To avoid this, keep your hips high and tight to their body, almost in a plank-like position, with your feet driving into the mat for stability. Ensure your chest is firmly connected to their sternum and your shoulders are driving into their upper chest to maintain superior positional control.

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