I have a training partner who is better than me in terms of skill, and also bigger, so I’m probably fucked, but that said, when he really wants to hold me down he goes to a position that is almost North/South. I’d still call it side control. It’s like a 45 degree angle. He gets both his knees off the ground so that his weight is all on me and his toes. I feel like I can’t elbow escape because our hips are too far apart. Do I need to switch to North/South escapes? Maybe walk my feet to put him back in range of side control escapes or walk my feet the other way to put him in north/south escape range?
1 Like
There’s a lot of space between his hips and the ground but with his hips being far from mine, me bearing much of his weight, and then his arms being used as “wedges” around my upper body and arms, it is not easy to move underneath him.
He doesn’t completely dwarf me. I’m not tiny and I’m strong. If I had the right plan, I’ve got enough strength that it’s possible to escape. He IS bigger, very athletic, and more technical though.
Fart
2 Likes
What should I eat the night before?
Do we train together? I do this same shit, and did this same shit to a partner last night, and he said the same shit (that he kept getting stuck there and couldn’t get out). A couple of thoughts:
-
This modified north/south, I use it too. It is like a reverse guillotine thing. Not quite a north south, but when I do it, I feel like I am putting pressure on the back of the neck. People tap like crazy. I have never been taught it. I use to hit the traditional north south or “Monson” choke, but over time it has modified to this like reverse guillotine thing. I can’t explain it well, but I think that is what you are describing.
-
If so, the defense is very simple though not always immediately pleasant; turn your face towards his body before he can get anything locked in. That’s it. If you turn your face toward his body (should be his rib cage in this position), he can’t get the choke. If he knows what he is doing, he will know immediately that you are defending properly and move on (or start grinding your face with his rib cage trying to turn your face away).
-
I am a bit confused because you are talking about north south but also elbow escaping. If he is north south, or even at like 3/4 north south like you are describing, I am not sure how the elbow escape helps you here. If you try to regard improperly you may end up in a guillotine or head and arm.
I may be completely misunderstanding what you are describing but as a guy who does what I think you are describing, and may have actually been the one doing this to you last night, that is my feedback.
1 Like
Okay, it wasn’t me then.
1 Like
In north south make sure you keep your head ON the ground. The second you left your head off the ground you are in danger.
I north south choke fools daily. That and the scarfold choke as well.
Heed these words my son.
2 Likes
I’m not getting choked from that position (well, not more than any other position), so that’s not my concern. I just have no idea how to get out.
I came here to say that exact one word answer. Hahaha!
2 Likes
Is it gi or no gi?
Best option is to not get un that position. If flexible you can throw your legs over the top and try to sink in hooks.
Also try framing against his face and bridging into him.
If you know someone’s go-to move is side control, I like to set up the baseball bat choke and bait them into taking side control. Sometimes you can sweep them with that too.
1 Like
Gi
1 Like
I’m laughably inflexible. Decently strong. Decent cardio. Utterly inflexible.
I think you’re onto something with the bridging. I bridge against him, in this position, at the “normal” angle that I would bridge into if he were in normal side control. This is dumb of me. It means I’m bridging right into the direction that his legs are going behind him. I’m bridging right into his base. I think I’ll try bridging right above my head, 12:00 (or maybe even 1:00), so that the bridge goes perpendicular-ish to his head, neck, and body, and not right down his spine and legs, directly against his base.
Thanks.
1 Like
And frame aggressively to make space to bridge.
Frame, hip escape away, then bridge as hard as you can.
Probably the hardest position to escape imo. I often bait submissions from there and escape when they take the bait. Yeah, risky as hell.
3 Likes
Thanks. I’m glad that you think it’s hard to escape from. You are a black belt and that confirms the challenge of the situation where I’m getting stuck. Again, the guy who’s doing it to me (awesome guy), is also higher ranked than me, bigger, and very athletic. He’s also a smarty guy, so nothing comes easily.
I might try walking my feet toward him to change the angle slightly to a more side control angle and then bridging across his face/body as much as I can. It might be hard to walk my feet and change the angle though. And if I can’t, I still like the idea of bridging toward 12:00. I’ll give it a go.
That sounds like walking yourself into an anaconda imo. Can you find a video or image online that shows this position? I may not be understanding the position you are describing correctly.
Edit: I picture this as the position you are describing. Is this correct?
So, the respective angles of the bodies is the same as in your picture. His left arm isn’t going over my head and then back under, encircling it. I’m not sure if it’s going under my head from his near side (as opposed to going over), or if he’s putting the arm over my head and then putting it under my left arm. I can’t remember, and I know that’s not helpful. Also, his weight isn’t down on his legs, he’s up on the balls of his feet/toes and he’s driving into me a bit (or a lot).