Side Control - one of the 4 dominant positions in ground fighting. When we’re on the top, this can be an incredibly effective means of controlling and opponent. When we’re on the bottom, it can feel like an inescapable hell that we are trapped in with not way out.

In this course, we’ll learn each of the varying positions of side control, and how they work, so when we learn the escapes, we can recognize the position we’re trapped in, and know which escapes will not work, and which ones will.

Positional Control

In order to understand the escapes, it is important to know how the positional control of someone holding us in side control works. This will also help our own offensive game, while we learn to recognize these for our defense. The first drill we’ll do…

The 6 Positions

We’ll start here with the 6 positions of side control drill. The first video will show you how to perform this with a partner, followed by a solo training version for those of you at home with no one to train with. Remember, a good portion of our effectiveness on the mats rolling/sparring with partners, is from the training of the movements, and more importantly, the transitions from one position to the next.

6 Positions of Side Control [Solo]

Side Control Training - Mission 1
The 6 POsitions

This mission is designed to be repeated as many times as you feel necessary. If using as a review, perform less reps.

1. Choose a warm-up before proceeding with this training mission.

2. Begin with positions 1, 2, & 3 in order. Perform this 20x.

3. Next proceed with positions 4, 5, & 6. Perform this 20x.

4. Complete 1 - 6 in order on both sides. Perform this 20x.

5. Next-Level - take it up a notch when ready. Call out a random number 1 - 6 and transition to that position. Perform 10 position changes 6x.

Escapes

How to Escape Position 1 & 3

Now that we understand the positions and how they work, we can start to disassemble their strengths from the bottom. The following escapes work with both position 1 or 3. If you have a partner, train both. If you are training solo, just perform the motion as if you were stuck in one of these positions.

Side Control Training - Mission 2
Escaping Position 1 or 3

It is recommended you are comfortable with the 6 positions drill before proceeding to this mission. This mission is designed to be repeated as many times as you feel necessary. If using as a review, perform less reps.

1. Choose a warm-up before proceeding with this training mission.

2. Framing to Re-Pull Guard - perform this 3 sets of 10.

3. Elbow Drop - perform this 3 sets of 10.

4. Collar Punch - perform this 3 sets of 10.

Escaping Position 2 - The Sit-Up

Escaping Position 2 - Out the Back

Side Control Training - Mission 3
Escaping Position 2
Part 1

It is recommended you are comfortable with the 6 positions drill before proceeding to this mission. This mission is designed to be repeated as many times as you feel necessary. If using as a review, perform less reps.

1. Choose a warm-up before proceeding with this training mission.

2. Perform the following for 2 rounds:

   1. Sit-Up - perform this 3 sets of 10.

   2. Out the Back - perform this 3 sets of 10.

Escaping Position 2 - Framing Roll

Escaping Position 2 - Headlock Hug and Roll

Side Control Training - Mission 4
Escaping Position 2
Part 2

It is recommended you are comfortable with the 6 positions drill before proceeding to this mission. This mission is designed to be repeated as many times as you feel necessary. If using as a review, perform less reps.

1. Choose a warm-up before proceeding with this training mission.

2. Perform the following for 2 rounds:

   1. Framing Roll - perform this 3 sets of 10.

   2. Hug and Roll - perform this 3 sets of 10.

Escaping Position 4

Escaping Position 5

Side Control Training - Mission 5
Escaping Position 4 & 5

It is recommended you are comfortable with the 6 positions drill before proceeding to this mission. This mission is designed to be repeated as many times as you feel necessary. If using as a review, perform less reps.

1. Choose a warm-up before proceeding with this training mission.

2. Perform the following for 2 rounds:

   1. Bhudda Palms - perform this 3 sets of 10.

   2. Shovel Arm - perform this 3 sets of 10.