Side Control
bjjstatedominantpinside_control
State Properties
- State ID: S003
- Point Value: 3 (Dominant position)
- Position Type: Offensive/Controlling
- Risk Level: Low
- Energy Cost: Medium
- Time Sustainability: Long
State Description
Side Control (also known as side mount or cross-side) is a dominant ground position where the top practitioner lies perpendicularly across the opponent’s torso, controlling them without the opponent’s legs interfering. This position offers significant control and multiple attacking opportunities while providing a stable base from which to advance to more dominant positions.
Visual Description
The practitioner lies horizontally across the opponent’s upper body, forming a T-shape or cross configuration when viewed from above. The practitioner’s chest presses firmly against the opponent’s chest or face, with their near-side arm typically controlling the opponent’s head or neck through an underhook or crossface. The far-side arm posts on the mat or controls the opponent’s far arm, creating a solid base with legs spread wide for stability. The practitioner’s hips are positioned low against the opponent’s near-side ribs, preventing space creation and hip movement. The opponent lies flat on their back with their guard completely passed, shoulders pinned to the mat, and defensive options severely limited by the crossface pressure and chest-to-chest connection. This perpendicular orientation makes it nearly impossible for the bottom person to use their legs defensively or offensively, while the top person maintains a stable platform for both control and attacks.
Key Principles
- Distribute weight strategically across opponent’s chest and hips
- Eliminate space between bodies
- Control opponent’s head and far-side arm
- Maintain low center of gravity
- Use shoulder pressure to restrict breathing and movement
- Create and maintain multiple points of control
- Pressure Application
Prerequisites
- Successful guard pass or takedown
- Control of opponent’s upper body
- Prevention of guard recovery
- Stability in base and posture
State Invariants
- Chest-to-chest or chest-to-side connection
- Opponent’s guard is fully passed
- Top player is perpendicular or slightly angled to opponent’s body
- Head control established (directly or indirectly)
Defensive Responses (When Opponent Has This State)
- Frame and Shrimp → Guard Recovery
- Bridge and Roll → Guard Recovery or Top Position
- Elbow Escape → Half Guard Bottom
- Bottom Turtle → Bottom Turtle
Offensive Transitions (Available From This State)
- Transition to Mount → Mount
- Transition to North-South → North-South
- Knee on Belly → Knee on Belly
- Gift Wrap Control → Back Control
- Americana Setup → Americana Control
- Kimura Setup → Kimura Control
- Paper Cutter Choke → Won by Submission
- Triangle Setup → Triangle Control
Counter Transitions
- Re-establish Side Control → Side Control (against escape attempts)
- Switch Sides → Side Control (when opponent turns away)
- Technical Stand-up → Standing up (if control is disrupted)
Expert Insights
- Danaher System: Emphasizes a shoulder of justice (direct shoulder pressure into opponent’s jaw/neck) combined with precise weight distribution that makes bridging ineffective. Creates a systematic approach to shutting down each common escape pathway while maintaining constant attack threats.
- Gordon Ryan: Utilizes dynamic weight shifting between standard side control and a floating variation to create reaction-based transitions to mount or back control. Focuses on creating “decision dilemmas” where defending one attack opens another.
- Eddie Bravo: Often transitions quickly through side control to establish more submission-oriented positions like the truck or twister side control. When maintaining side control, emphasizes the “hundred kilos” position with heavy hip pressure.
Common Errors
- Posting arms too wide → Vulnerability to sweeps
- Weight too high → Allowing space for escapes
- Hips too high → Opponent can recover guard
- Focusing only on upper body control → Leg entanglement vulnerabilities
- Hunting submissions too early → Losing position
Training Drills
- Side control maintenance against increasing resistance
- Transitional flows between side control variations
- Submission chain sequences from side control
- Counter-transition drills against escape attempts
- Pressure sensitivity development exercises
Related States
- Kesa Gatame - Scarf hold variation with head and arm control
- Reverse Kesa Gatame - Reversed scarf hold position
- Modified Scarf Hold - Variation with near-side underhook
- North-South - Head-to-head control position
- Quarter Mount - Transitional position between side control and mount
Related Positions
- North-South - Related position
- Knee on Belly - Related position
- Mount - Related position
- Kesa Gatame - Related position
- Back Control - Related position
Decision Tree
If opponent frames strongly with near arm:
- Execute Far Side Armbar or Kimura Setup
Else if opponent turns away:
- Execute Transition to Back Control
Else if opponent bridges explosively:
- Execute Switch to North-South
Else (stable control established):
- Progress to Transition to Mount or Triangle Setup
Position Metrics
- Success Rate: 85% retention (competition data)
- Average Time in Position: 1-2 minutes
- Submission Probability: 45%
- Positional Advancement Probability: 60%
- Position Loss Probability: 15%
Optimal Submission Paths
The shortest path to submission from this position: Side Control → Paper Cutter Choke → Won by Submission
High-percentage path: Side Control → Transition to Mount → Arm Triangle → Won by Submission