Side Control Top

Side Control Top is one of the most fundamental and dominant positions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, achieved when the top player pins the opponent from the side with their chest perpendicular to the opponent’s torso while controlling their hips and head. Worth 3 points in IBJJF competition for passing the guard, this position offers exceptional control with minimal energy expenditure when executed correctly. It provides numerous submission opportunities, transitions to even more dominant positions like mount or back control, and presents significant defensive challenges for the bottom player. Side control is often considered the home base of top position work, as it offers stability, control, and offensive options while maintaining relatively low risk of reversal. The position’s effectiveness comes from the mechanical advantage of perpendicular body positioning combined with strategic weight distribution that limits the opponent’s movement while preserving the top player’s mobility. Mastery of side control is essential for all BJJ practitioners, as it represents a critical stage in the positional hierarchy between guard passing and mount. From this position, the top player can methodically work toward submissions, advance to more dominant positions, or simply maintain control to manage energy and score points. The psychological advantage is also significant - being trapped under side control is one of the most uncomfortable experiences in BJJ, and the constant threat of submissions and position advancement forces the bottom player into reactive, often desperate escape attempts that can be countered and capitalized upon.

Position Definition

• Chest positioned perpendicular to opponent’s torso with direct contact across their upper body, creating maximum surface area for control and weight distribution
• Opponent flat on their back with shoulders pinned to the mat, unable to turn into you or create significant angles for escape
• Crossface established with forearm or bicep pressure across opponent’s neck and face, controlling their head position and preventing them from turning toward you
• Hip-to-hip connection maintained with your hips low and heavy against opponent’s hips, eliminating space and preventing guard recovery

Prerequisites

• Successful guard pass completion from any guard type
• Understanding of weight distribution principles and pressure passing mechanics
• Basic submission mechanics from top position including arm isolations and chokes
• Crossface technique fundamentals and head control principles
• Ability to recognize and counter common escape attempts

Key Offensive Principles

• Crossface Control: Forearm or bicep pressure across neck and face prevents opponent from turning into you and creates discomfort that forces reactions
• Hip Pressure: Keep hips low and heavy on opponent’s hips to eliminate space and prevent guard recovery
• Weight Distribution: Strategic placement of weight across torso limits opponent’s movement while preserving your mobility for transitions
• Head Position: Your head positioned opposite the crossface creates additional pressure and prevents opponent from sitting up
• Hip Control: Near hand blocks opponent’s far hip to prevent knee insertion and guard recovery
• Base Management: Appropriate leg positioning with near leg posted and far leg sprawled provides stability against escape attempts
• Chest Pressure: Perpendicular chest contact maximizes control surface and distributes weight effectively

Available Attacks

Side Control to Mount → Mount

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 45%
• Intermediate: 60%
• Advanced: 75%

Transition to North-South → North-South

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 55%
• Intermediate: 70%
• Advanced: 85%

Americana from Side Control → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 30%
• Intermediate: 45%
• Advanced: 60%

Kimura from Side Control → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 25%
• Intermediate: 40%
• Advanced: 55%

Arm Triangle → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 20%
• Intermediate: 35%
• Advanced: 50%

Armbar from Side Control → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 15%
• Intermediate: 30%
• Advanced: 45%

Transition to Mount → Knee on Belly

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 50%
• Intermediate: 65%
• Advanced: 80%

North-South Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 15%
• Intermediate: 25%
• Advanced: 40%

Paper Cutter Choke → Won by Submission

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 20%
• Intermediate: 30%
• Advanced: 45%

Kimura to Back Take → Back Control

Success Rates:

• Beginner: 18%
• Intermediate: 30%
• Advanced: 45%

Opponent Escapes

• Elbow Escape → Half Guard (Opponent Success: 35%)
• Frame and Shrimp → Closed Guard (Opponent Success: 30%)
• Bridge and Roll → Standing Position (Opponent Success: 15%)
• Side Control Escape → Knee Shield Half Guard (Opponent Success: 28%)
• Hip Escape → Butterfly Guard (Opponent Success: 25%)
• Side Control Escape → Turtle (Opponent Success: 35%)

Escape Counters

• Transition to Mount → Mount
  • Opponent attempts to frame and create space under your chest
• Kimura from Side Control → Won by Submission
  • Opponent extends arm to push or frame against your neck
• Transition to North-South → North-South
  • Opponent turns into you attempting to escape toward your legs
• Transition to Mount → Knee on Belly
  • Opponent creates space by bridging or shrimping away
• Kimura to Back Take → Back Control
  • Opponent turns to their side giving up their back
• Arm Triangle → Won by Submission
  • Opponent brings their far arm across their own neck while defending

Decision Making from This Position

If opponent’s near arm is extended or pushing against your neck or head:

• Execute Americana from Side Control → Won by Submission (Probability: 50%)
• Execute Kimura from Side Control → Won by Submission (Probability: 45%)

If opponent creates space by bridging or frames with both arms:

• Execute Side Control to Mount → Mount (Probability: 60%)
• Execute Transition to Mount → Knee on Belly (Probability: 55%)

If opponent turns into you attempting to recover guard:

• Execute Transition to North-South → North-South (Probability: 70%)
• Execute Darce Choke → Won by Submission (Probability: 35%)

If opponent’s far arm crosses their own neck while defending:

• Execute Arm Triangle → Won by Submission (Probability: 55%)
• Execute Paper Cutter Choke → Won by Submission (Probability: 40%)

If opponent attempts to insert knee for half guard recovery:

• Execute Underhook Pass → Half Guard Pass (Probability: 65%)
• Execute Side Control to Mount → Mount (Probability: 50%)

Common Offensive Mistakes

1. Positioning too high on opponent’s chest without hip contact

• ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent to create space with their hips, insert a knee for guard recovery, losing the dominant position and potentially the pass points
• ✅ Correction: Keep your hips low and in contact with opponent’s hips, distributing weight across their torso rather than stacking it high on their chest

2. Insufficient crossface pressure allowing opponent head mobility

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent can turn their head toward you, create angles for escape, and begin bridging or shrimping effectively to recover guard
• ✅ Correction: Maintain constant forearm or bicep pressure across opponent’s face and neck, driving their head away from you with heavy uncomfortable pressure

3. Failing to control opponent’s far hip with near hand

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent can easily insert their knee between your bodies, immediately recovering half guard and nullifying your positional advantage
• ✅ Correction: Keep your near hand actively blocking opponent’s far hip, preventing any knee insertion with constant downward pressure

4. Placing too much weight on hands instead of hips

• ❌ Consequence: Creates space under your chest that opponent can exploit with frames and escapes, reduces control effectiveness significantly
• ✅ Correction: Distribute weight through your hips and torso onto opponent’s body, hands should be light and mobile for control rather than bearing weight

5. Staying static without transitioning or attacking

• ❌ Consequence: Allows opponent time to develop escape strategy, recover energy, and potentially create opportunities for reversal
• ✅ Correction: Constantly threaten submissions or position advancements to keep opponent reactive and defensive with small weight shifts

6. Overcommitting to submissions without maintaining position

• ❌ Consequence: Opponent escapes to guard or neutral position during your submission attempt, losing your dominant position entirely
• ✅ Correction: Maintain positional control throughout submission attempts, return to solid side control if submission isn’t immediately available

Training Drills for Attacks

Position Maintenance Against Progressive Resistance

Partner attempts various escape sequences including bridge-and-shrimp, underhook attempts, and ghost escape while you maintain side control with progressive resistance levels. Start at 50% resistance and increase to 100%. Focus on weight distribution, crossface pressure, and hip control. Reset after each successful escape or after 60 seconds of control.

Duration: 5 rounds of 2 minutes

Submission Flow Drill

Flow between Americana, kimura, arm triangle, and armbar attacks based on partner’s defensive positioning. Partner defends with realistic frames and movements. Develop recognition of which submission is available based on arm placement and body position. Emphasize smooth transitions without losing control.

Duration: 4 rounds of 3 minutes

Position Chain Transitions

Practice sequences from side control to mount to knee on belly to north-south and back to side control. Emphasize smooth transitions and weight distribution adjustments between positions. Partner provides moderate resistance and attempts to escape during transitions.

Duration: 3 rounds of 4 minutes

Counter-Escape Drill

Partner attempts specific escape such as elbow escape, bridge and roll, or turning in while you practice appropriate counter including mount transition, kimura, or north-south. Build automatic responses to common escape attempts while maintaining dominant position throughout.

Duration: 3 rounds of 3 minutes, switching escape types each round

Optimal Submission Paths

Highest Percentage Path

Side Control Top → Americana from Side Control → Won by Submission

Advancement to Dominance Path

Side Control Top → Side Control to Mount → Mount → Armbar from Mount → Won by Submission

Reaction-Based Path

Side Control Top → Transition to North-South → North-South Choke → Won by Submission

Arm Isolation Path

Side Control Top → Kimura from Side Control → Kimura to Back Take → Back Control → Rear Naked Choke → Won by Submission

Opportunistic Choke Path

Side Control Top → Arm Triangle → Won by Submission

Success Rates and Statistics

Skill Level	Retention Rate	Advancement Probability	Submission Probability
Beginner	40%	35%	20%
Intermediate	60%	55%	35%
Advanced	80%	70%	50%

Average Time in Position: 1-3 minutes for controlled work, 10-30 seconds for dynamic transitions

Related Positions and Techniques

• Mount - Primary advancement target from side control offering higher point value
• North-South - Alternative dominant position via transition when opponent turns into you
• Knee on Belly - Transitional control position for point scoring and mobility
• Kesa Gatame - Variation of side control with different control mechanics and head emphasis
• Scarf Hold Position - Related holding position with head control emphasis
• Half Guard - Common escape target for bottom player attempting guard recovery
• Back Control - Advanced position when opponent turns incorrectly during escape
• Pressure Application - Core concept for maintaining this position effectively
• Cross Face Control - Essential control concept for side control dominance
• Side Control Escapes - Understanding opponent’s escape options improves your control and counters
• Bernardo Faria Pressure System - Systematic approach to pressure-based side control maintenance
• Positional Hierarchy - Side control as key stage in position advancement progression