In the previous articles I talked a lot about movement while stabilizing side control, how to get out of certain situations, and also about penalties for lack of combativeness in the well-known side control position (the “100kg”).
In this article I’m sharing a video lesson with two submissions from side control, so you can expand your repertoire and surprise your opponents.
Ready? Put on your gi and let’s train!
Getting to side control
After reaching side control, it’s very common to see beginners lost, not knowing what to do, or afraid to go for a position and end up back in the guard.
When an athlete tries to progress, they usually go for the mount or knee on belly, and the submissions are the americana and some basic lapel choke. However, the fear of losing the position and going back to the guard is strong, so athletes just stabilize the position or transition around side control, which doesn’t count as progression and leads the referee to give a penalty for lack of combativeness.
To avoid penalties and expand your attacks from this situation, below is a video lesson with two submissions from side control.
But before that, have you read the article where I explain in detail How do penalties work in Jiu-Jitsu?
Triangle and armlock from side control
To submit your opponent with a triangle, you need to keep one of their arms inside your legs and the other outside. In the following video lesson I explain how to trap your opponent’s arm and put them in this situation, so you can then attack the triangle.
To expand your side control submissions even further, I show a second option in case your opponent defends or you feel the triangle isn’t locked in tight: go for a very tight armlock with no escape.
Adjusting the triangle
In the video lesson the triangle was finished from the mount, but your opponent may still bridge and reverse the position, landing in your guard, or you may even roll to get a better triangle adjustment.
Look at the situation in the photo above and notice that my right leg is under my opponent’s head.
Based on the position in the photo, to tighten the triangle even more, grab your right shin with your left hand and roll to the right until you land on your back playing guard. Your left foot should be placed on your opponent’s hip, always remembering to press your knee toward their shoulder so you don’t give them space to fix their posture. Using the foot on the hip, move your torso out to the right and only then lock the triangle.
Armlock
As you bring your shin across in front of your opponent’s face, to keep it tight you need to hold their arm against your chest and stretch upward, always pushing your hips down. This way you stop them from bending their arm to defend, and you keep the movement tight all the way to the finish.
Any questions about the movements? Leave a comment and I’ll do my best to help you.
Don’t forget to sign up for the mailing list and follow me on social media to stay up to date on other techniques!
Good training! OSSSS
Jiu-Jitsu video lessons, articles and stories with Matheus Zimmermann
The teacher → Private class or seminar →
