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Side Control Submissions

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

Side control provides unique submission opportunities not available from other positions. Mastering the finishing mechanics of each creates a complete top game.

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Contents

    Americana — Finishing Details

    1

    Wrist Control

    Drive their wrist to the mat at 90 degrees from their body. The angle determines the submission — too parallel and it's just an arm pin, not a submission.

    2

    Elbow Raise

    Simultaneously raise their elbow while keeping the wrist pinned. Think "windshield wiper" motion. Never lose wrist contact or the lock loses tension.

    Kimura — Finishing Details

    3

    Back Leverage

    Drive their hand toward their shoulder blade while stepping over their head. Prevent them from rolling by pressing your hip into their shoulder.

    4

    Belly-Down Kimura

    When they roll to escape, follow into belly-down kimura. This creates a different angle that's even tighter and prevents common defenses.

    North-South Choke

    5

    Setup from Side Control

    From side control, slide around their head to north-south position. Under-hook their far arm, drop your near-side arm under their neck, then squeeze your shoulder into their carotid.

    Can Opener

    From kesa gatame or side control with head control: cup both hands behind their head, drive your knee under their neck. Legal in no-gi competition at higher belts. Primarily used as a setup to open their guard or force reactions.

    Pro Tip: For the americana and kimura, think about driving through the submission rather than pulling. Your body weight should supplement your arms — lower your hips as you apply the lock.

    Submission-to-Submission Chains

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    More Questions

    What are the most common submissions from side control?

    The most common submissions from side control include the Kimura, Americana, and armbar. These techniques are fundamental and offer high percentage finishes.

    How do I prevent my opponent from escaping side control when I'm setting up a submission?

    To prevent escapes, maintain tight control by keeping your weight distributed and hips low. Use your shoulder and chest to pressure their hips and prevent them from bridging or turning into you.

    What if my opponent defends my armbar attempt from side control?

    If your opponent defends the armbar, don't force it and risk giving up position. Instead, transition to another submission like a kimura or transition to mount if they overcommit to defending the armbar.

    Common BJJ Problems & FAQ

    Q: Why do I feel pressure on my ribs and have trouble breathing when someone has me in side control and is trying to submit me?

    This is likely due to the opponent's shoulder and hip creating a fulcrum, driving their weight down and compressing your rib cage. To alleviate this, try to create space by bridging your hips and shrugging your shoulder to lift their weight slightly, then shrimp your hips away to regain a better breathing position.

    Q: How can I effectively finish an armbar from side control when my opponent is significantly larger than me and resisting by keeping their arm tight?

    To finish an armbar against a larger opponent, focus on hip pressure and hip alignment. As you transition to the armbar, drive your hips forward and slightly to the side of their head, ensuring your hips are perpendicular to their upper body, which amplifies the lever arm and makes it harder for them to resist.

    Q: When attempting a kimura from side control, why does my opponent's arm feel too strong to break free, and how can I apply more leverage?

    The opponent's strength is often due to them keeping their elbow tucked and their fist close to their body, creating a compact structure. To increase your leverage, control their wrist and thumb with your opposite hand, then drive your shoulder into their bicep while simultaneously pulling their wrist across your body and away from their head, breaking their posture and isolating the shoulder joint.

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