Gordon Ryan: Side Control and North-South

Last updated Sep 20, 2026

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Gordon Ryan: Side Control and North-South

Control SystemIntermediate

6 related references (techniques and positions)

Systematically attacking From Top Pins: Side Control & North South course cover

Systematically attacking From Top Pins: Side Control & North South

By Gordon Ryan

View course on BJJ Fanatics

Systematically attacking From Top Pins: Side Control & North South by Gordon Ryan combines pin maintenance, transitions between the two positions and upper-body attacks. Near- and far-arm isolation receive separate attention.

The eight-volume series includes rolling and commentary alongside the technical material. It suits no-gi top players who have passed the guard but struggle to retain control while developing submissions.

Is this for you?

  • You pass the guard but struggle to retain side control or north-south while attacking.
  • You want arm-isolation and submission options from both pins.

Also consider

John Danaher: Side Crucifix and Arm Isolation — For a narrower course on side-crucifix entries, underhooks, near-arm pinning and chancery attacks.

Coverage and limits

  • Side-control escape responses and separate near- and far-arm isolation material.
  • Transitions to north-south, pin maintenance and knee-recovery or turning responses.
  • Kimuras, triangles, armbars, back takes and north-south strangles, plus rolling and commentary.

Limits

  • The course begins from top-pin problems; reaching those positions through guard passing is outside its main focus.

Go to this course: Systematically attacking From Top Pins: Side Control & North South

These related references are not a claim about what the course teaches or evidence of practical mastery.

Connection Principles

Transition Management

Positional Sparring

Position-Over-Submission Approach

John Danaher: Side Crucifix and Arm Isolation — For a narrower course on side-crucifix entries, underhooks, near-arm pinning and chancery attacks.

Gordon Ryan: No-Gi Guard Passing — Use the guard-passing companion when the unresolved problem occurs before the pin.

Sources Expand for evidence and notes

Independent BJJGraph guide. Not authored or endorsed by the instructor.

The preview's content has not been reviewed by BJJGraph.

Systematically attacking From Top Pins: Side Control & North South by Gordon Ryan — official listing; checked 2026-09-19. Verified title, Gordon Ryan attribution and named sections on side control, arm isolation, north-south maintenance and rolling. Listing and official sample placement inspected; sample content not reviewed. On 2026-09-19 UTC, verified the introductory player in the product banner and the course cover image. Muted inline autoplay was verified on https://bjjgraph.org by observing advancing video time. The introduction content was not reviewed.

Master The Move: The Side Crucifix by John Danaher — official listing; checked 2026-09-16. Verified title, John Danaher attribution, underhook acquisition, near-arm pinning, chancery and shin-pin sections. Official page labels an embedded free sample; sample content not reviewed.

Systematically Attacking The Guard by Gordon Ryan — official listing; checked 2026-09-16. Verified course identity and eight-volume outline, including split squat, half guard, half butterfly, rolling and commentary. Listing inspected; video content not reviewed.

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