Mastering BJJ Side Control – How to Dominate Like a Pro

When I first started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, one of the earliest lessons I learned was how tough it feels to be stuck under side control. It’s like someone parked a truck on your chest. At the same time, learning to hold side control from the top felt like discovering a superpower.

In BJJ, side control is one of the most dominant positions. From here, you can control your opponent, set up submissions, or advance to even stronger spots like mount or back control. If you’re a beginner, mastering side control will make a huge difference in your progress.

In this guide, I’ll break down what side control is, the most common variations, and why it’s so powerful. In the second part, I’ll show you attacks, escapes, drills, and common mistakes to avoid.

What Is BJJ Side Control?

BJJ side control is a top position where you lie across your opponent’s torso, pinning them flat.

You control their upper body with your chest and arms, and their hips with your legs or weight. It’s like being a human blanket, but a heavy, sneaky one that’s always looking for a choke or arm lock.

In points-based BJJ (like in tournaments), holding side control earns you 2 points. That’s huge. But more than scoring, it’s about control. If you can keep someone here, you’re one step away from finishing the fight.

And trust me, whether you’re 150 pounds or 250, this position works.

I remember my first time holding a bigger guy here. I didn’t think I could stop him. But with the right angle and steady pressure? He didn’t move for over a minute.

That’s the power of side control.

Common Variations of Side Control

Not all side control positions are created equal. Over the years, grapplers have developed several variations, each with its own strengths and uses. Let me walk you through the main ones you’ll encounter.

Standard Side Control (Classic)

This is your bread-and-butter BJJ side control. Your chest lies across their chest, one arm usually goes under their head (we call this a crossface), and your other arm controls their far arm or hip.

I remember when I first learned this position, my instructor told me to imagine I was hugging someone while lying down. That mental image really helped me understand the chest-to-chest contact that makes this position so strong.

Your legs should be wide for base, with your knees pointing away from your opponent. This gives you stability and makes it harder for them to roll you over.

Kesa Gatame (Scarf Hold)

Kesa gatame comes from judo, and it’s like a sideways bear hug. You sit next to your opponent, wrap one arm around their head and neck, and control their arm with your other hand.

This variation feels different from standard side control. Instead of lying across them, you’re sitting up slightly, which gives you different submission options and escape prevention.

I love using kesa gatame against people who are really good at the standard side control escapes. It changes the angle just enough to throw off their timing.

Reverse Kesa Gatame

This one’s sneaky. You face away from your opponent’s head while still controlling their upper body. Your arm wraps around their far arm, and you can use your other hand to control their near arm.

Reverse kesa gatame is fantastic for shutting down people who love to underhook. Since you’re facing the opposite direction, their usual escape routes just don’t work the same way.

Modified Side Control (100 Kilos)

The name comes from the feeling – it’s like having 100 kilos (220 pounds) pressing down on your chest. In this variation, you place your knee on their stomach or lower chest while keeping side control.

This position gives you incredible pressure and opens up different submission attacks. It’s especially good against people who like to turn into you during escapes.

North-South Transition

While not exactly side control, north-south is so closely related that I had to include it. You position yourself head-to-head with your opponent, with your chest pressing down on their chest.

North-south is perfect for when your opponent starts to escape regular side control. You can flow here and attack with chokes that simply aren’t available from standard side control.

5 Best Attacks from Side Control

You’re on top. They’re stuck. Now what?

Time to attack.

Here are the top submissions from side control – all proven on the mat:

1. Americana (Keylock)

Grab their near arm. Isolate it. Bend it across their body and crank.

It’s like turning a car key – hence the name. Keep your chest heavy. Don’t let them roll.

Practice this slow at first. Then speed it up.

2. Kimura

This one’s a crowd favorite. Grab their wrist from the far side, circle under their arm, and lock the grip behind their back. Now turn your body like you’re closing a car door.

Tap city.

I’ve used this from scarf hold, reverse scarf, and even flat side control. It works everywhere.

3. Armbar

If they post their arm up, take it. Trap their arm between your legs, swing your leg over their head, and extend.

Keep your hips high. Squeeze your knees. It’s not the easiest from side control, but it’s doable.

Best when they try to push you off.

4. Paper Cutter Choke

This one’s sneaky.

From scarf hold, slide your top hand under their near armpit, palm up. Chop it up under their chin, lock your hands, and squeeze.

It’s called “paper cutter” because it feels like a blade slicing the neck. Not as common as others, but when it works, it works.

5. North-South Choke

Roll into north-south from side control. Use both arms to dig under their neck from the top. Lock a grip, and turn your body like a corkscrew.

Their blood flow cuts off fast. I’ve had people go limp in seconds. And remember, side control isn’t just about submissions.

It’s a launchpad.

From here, you can:

• Move to mount (by stepping over)
• Take the back (by sliding behind)
• Or set up chokes and joint locks

It’s like being on third base in baseball. You’re one move from home.

Why Escaping Side Control Is So Tough

If you’ve been training for even a week, you’ve probably spent time stuck under side control. And let me tell you, escaping isn’t easy. The person on top has gravity on their side, plus all their body weight pressing down.

But here’s the good news: there are tried-and-true escapes that work if you practice them consistently.

• Shrimping and Framing Escape – Place your forearms against their body to frame, then shrimp (hip escape) to create space and recover guard.
• Underhook Escape – If you can slide your arm under their armpit and come up on your side, you can often work back to your knees.
• Bridge and Roll Escape – Explosive, but effective. Bridge hard, roll toward them, and use the momentum to create space.

Beginner tip: Don’t panic. I remember my early days, I’d waste energy trying to bench-press people off me. Spoiler: it never worked. Instead, focus on breathing, framing, and timing your escapes.

Side Control Drills for Beginners

The best way to get good at side control, both top and bottom, is through drills.

• Partner Drills – Practice holding side control for 30 seconds while your partner tries to escape. Then switch. This builds real pressure and resistance.
• Solo Drills – Shrimping across the mat may feel boring, but it’s the foundation of escaping side control. Also, practice hip switches and bridging.
• Positional Sparring – Start rounds in side control. If you’re on top, try to hold or submit. If you’re on bottom, try to escape. This focused training speeds up improvement.

Common Mistakes in BJJ Side Control (And How to Fix Them)

Even experienced people mess up here.

Let’s fix the big ones.

Top Player Mistakes:

• Losing base: Leaning too far forward or backward makes you easy to roll.
  Fix: Keep your hips low and chest down. Stay centered.
• Poor weight distribution: Sitting up turns side control into a wrestling hold.
  Fix: Lie flat. Use your chest, not your arms, to press.
• Telegraphing attacks: Reaching too early for a kimura or armbar? They’ll see it.
  Fix: Set up the move with pressure first. Then attack.

Bottom Player Mistakes:

• Panicking: Flailing arms waste energy and get you stuck.
  Fix: Breathe. Pick one escape. Try it smooth.
• Exposing arms: Leaving your wrist out? That’s a free kimura.
  Fix: Keep elbows in. Frame with forearms.
• Failing to frame properly: No frame = no space.
  Fix: Use your near forearm on their chest, knee on their hip. Create a triangle of space.

Conclusion

Side control may not look as flashy as mount or back control, but it’s one of the most reliable positions in BJJ. 

If you can hold it well, you’ll control the pace of a match and open doors to endless submissions. If you can escape it, you’ll frustrate your opponents and stay in the fight.

Remember, side control is about pressure, patience, and practice. Drill your holds, drill your escapes, and keep a cool head when rolling. 

The more time you spend here, the less it will feel like a truck parked on your chest and the more it will feel like one of your strongest weapons.