After the guard, top side-control is easily my favorite position. There are lots of options for attacks and setups. The array of possibilities is literally laid out in front of me, as my opponent is prone on the mat. From a transitional perspective, I can still move to other versions of side control (kuzure kesa-gatame, knee-on-belly, etc.), spin to the other side, or climb to mount.
It’s no surprise, then, that classes teaching offensive side control are among my favorites. Saturday’s no-gi class was such a session.
One of the first things I was taught in BJJ 7 years ago was that effective players are those that proficiently chain attacks together. The first chain I learned was going for a guillotine from guard, then switching to a Kimura when my partner defended. Next I learned to attack an armbar from guard, switch to a triangle when the opponent pulled his arm out, then to an armbar or omoplata if the triangle didn’t work for some reason. The latter combo was a staple of my game when I first started gi training.
This next sequence is based on the idea that your opponent is easier to pin in bottom side control when on his side, not his back. Once the body is turned sideways, it is harder for the one on bottom to create a powerful bridge. In order to accomplish this, we employ an Americana, or key lock, to kindly persuade our partner to expose his side.
We start in kuzure kesa-gatame on our opponent’s left side. A defending opponent will have his hands close and elbows in. As you switch your base back to regular side control, place you right hand on your partner’s right wrist, keeping your elbow close to your body. Using your body weight this way makes it easier to force your opponent’s hand to the ground. Place your elbow snug against the side of your partner’s head. Start bringing your left wrist under your partner’s right elbow. If he does not resist and you get your hand through, follow through with the Americana.
Of course, chances are your opponent will defend. In order to do so he must turn to his side and grab the threatened wrist. He must turn to his side because this keeps his left arm close to his ribs, strong enough to pull his right hand close, defensively. If he tries to stay on his back, extending his left hand to grab his right wrist, his left hand would have neither the reach nor the strength to pull his right hand close.
Once on his side, your opponent is right where you want him. We can now transition from our key lock attack to a kimura or armbar. But first, we want to make sure our partner cannot flatten himself back to the mat. To accomplish this, slide your chest down off his arm so that your chest is pressed into his back, over the left shoulder blade. Arch your back to get a good posture, pinning your partner in place. Once your opponent is secure, slip your left hand in under his left arm, and clasp a kimura grip. Go north-south by circling your opponent so your knees are on the ground, around his head. Placing your right knee on his right biceps will keep him from defending the lock. Now align his arm along his stomach so his fist is pointing to the floor, and his forearm is perpendicular to it. From here you can attempt to finish the kimura normally, or go for the armbar. Finish the kimura by pulling his arm away from his body toward your right to isolate it, hugging it to your chest, and turning your torso back to your left to apply the shoulder lock.
Should you wish to pursue the armbar, from the point mentioned above lean forward, shifting your weight forward so you’re pressing on your partner’s arm, pinning him down. With your weight now off your legs, you can hop up to plant your feet on either side of your opponent’s head. Turn to your right, pressing your left knee into his armpit, to sit back into the armbar.
This seems like plenty for one post. There’s more to chain with this setup from the key lock coming soon.