Side Control Escapes: How to Get Out of This BJJ Position

BJJ side control escape techniques are fundamental moves every practitioner should learn and execute properly. It requires a deep understanding of the fundamentals of jiu-jitsu and accurate timing, just like other escape techniques.

Although, many students have several issues processing clean side control escapes. This article will teach you how to escape the bottom side control properly. Stay tuned!

The Proper Way to Escape the BJJ Side Control

bjj side mount

The BJJ side control has become more challenging if you are underneath a heavier and stronger jiu-jitsu opponent. Thus, escaping side control will be difficult if the opponent has already controlled your head and arm.

Understanding the side control’s basics and the purpose of escaping the side control is essential. Therefore, you will find ways to neglect the opponent’s side control hold and the heavy pressure during this position.

John Danaher BJJ Side Control Escape

In the following video, John Danaher teaches you in-depth how to escape the side control position.

 Source: Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

Marcelo Garcia Gi jiu jitsu Side Control Escape

Throughout the following video, Marcelo Garcia teaches you his best jiu-jitsu escapes from side control in the gi mode.

Source: Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu

Marcelo Garcia No-Gi Side Control Escape In BJJ

In the following video lesson, Marcelo Garcia demonstrates some of his most effective jiu-jitsu escapes from no-gi side control.

Source: Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu

Chewjitsu Escape from Side Control 

Chewjitsu demonstrates some of his most effective Brazilian jiu-jitsu escapes from side control in the following video.

Source: Chewjitsu

Pedro Sauer Side Control Escape

In the following video, Pedro Sauer, an 8th-degree red and white belt, shows some of his most efficient Brazilian jiu-jitsu escapes from side control. By the way, Pedro Sauer is a legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner.

Source: Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

Related: Whether a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, knowing how to attack and defend from various jiu-jitsu positions is essential for taking your BJJ game to the next level. I wrote an article that comprehensively lists the fundamental BJJ positions you should know. Click here to learn more!

How to Prevent Tough Side Control Control?

Learning the side control fundamentals will help you play this position right from the top or bottom. Here is what you must do to prevent your opponent from making strict control when you’re at the bottom side control position.

Never Let Your Opponent Control Your Neck And Hips.

A primary goal of the top-side control player is to control the opponent’s upper body by applying pressure and mechanical leverage. In addition, this control aims to limit the bottom player’s movements and prevent him from escaping the side control.

So, the bottom-side control player’s primary goal is to prevent the top player from setting up the cross face or grips to control his upper body. Indeed, he mustn’t let his opponent hold his hips a chance because this is crucial if he wishes to process an escape.

Disturb the Opponent’s Weight to Neglect Unwanted Pressure

Any Brazilian jiu-jitsu student would not successfully defend the side control position without proper weight distribution and pressure.

So, when playing from the top side mount, The fighter will manage his weight pressure to get more leverage to process his game.

So, the bottom player should remain active to disturb his opponent’s weight and prevent him from setting up techniques quickly.

Otherwise, this tactic can help the bottom player to say far away from painful pressure. It will also be helpful to process an escape from the side control BJJ position.

Escaping the Side Control Against Larger Opponents

In the following video, Fabio Gurgel demonstrates escaping the side control position against a larger opponent. By the way, Fabio Gurgel is a 4-time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion and 7th-degree red and black belt.

Source: Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

What Do You Get After Escaping the Side Control?

Escaping the side control position will provide the bottom player additional options, such as transitioning to other fantastic positions or attempting a submission.

If you get out of the BJJ side control, many options are available to you.

Side Control Escape to Single Leg

The single-leg guard may be a good option when escaping from side control since it will help create space between you and your opponent.

Here’s how to perform the single leg from the bottom side control position.

Source: BJJ Fanatics

Side Control Escape to D’arce Choke

The D’arce choke is also an excellent option if you manage the side control escape well.

In the following video, Knight Jiu-Jitsu teaches you how to set up a d’arce choke submission while escaping the side control.

Source: Knight Jiu-Jitsu

Reltaed: I’ve created an in-depth article on the d’arce choke. It will undoubtedly provide additional information regarding this superb head and arm choke (Discover it Here).

Side Control Escape to Armbar

If you successfully escaped from the side control, the armbar submission is another excellent alternative to seek.

In the video below, Brandon Mullins, a BJJ black belt, demonstrates how to get an armbar submission immediately after getting out from the side control. Watch and learn!

Source: Stephan Kesting

Related: Unleash the power of the armbar and elevate your BJJ game to new heights! This devastating armlock is a must-have technique for any serious practitioner. Click here to learn more!

Side Control Escape to Back Take

In the video below, Tom Scala teaches how to take the opponent’s back after escaping the side control in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Watch and learn!

Source: Bernardo Faria BJJ Fanatics

Conclusion

Side Control has always been among the foremost powerful and dangerous positions in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

At first glance, it’s evident that the top-side control player is the favorite to finish the fight. However, the bottom player has limited and poor choices unless he escapes this miserable position.

So, if you learn how to get out properly from the side control position, that’s great. The d’arce choke, back take, armbar, and other submissions and transitions will be available.

Otherwise, mastering effective escape methods will assist you in developing a powerful defensive and frame system from the bottom side control.

I hope that this lesson will be of use to you in building an efficient side control escape system.

Please let us know if we may have missed any other details about the side control escapes. 

Alternately, What is your favorite side control escape?

Related: This comprehensive article will teach you everything you need to know about the BJJ side control position. It explains the position basics and offers effective submissions to improve your game.

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