Escaping From Side Control

[b00m3r]

Hey guys, I've been having a hell of a time escaping from side control. There are a couple escapes I know, but sometimes pulling them off are next to impossible for me. Do any of you feel that it's sometimes impossible to escape from that position? I try to bridge into the guy to escape but if they're really good at switching their hips then I have no hope. Any suggestions?

[vincechoo]

depending on your opponent's skill and weight you can try this:

shrimp to one side, get a knee under the side control and work to go back to full closed guard. this takes a bit of timing and often you will need to work this in combination with another escape to make space and give you some time for the shrimp. I use this escape with relatively good success.

[b00m3r]

thanks for the reply vince.

I know how to shrimp to recompose the guard (or come to me knees), I just have trouble doing it against some who have a really strong side control. Especially once my opponent starts switching his hips as I shrimp and bridge. Any suggestions on how to overcome that?

[Hardball]

I was going to say shrimp too, also try rolling into him and working from there.

[JKDBerlin]

Hmm...maybe you can try to roll into him or you can try to break his balance by trying to roll him to eleven or one o'clock (pretending your head is 12 o'clock).

Greetings

[vincechoo]

thanks for the reply vince.

I know how to shrimp to recompose the guard (or come to me knees), I just have trouble doing it against some who have a really strong side control. Especially once my opponent starts switching his hips as I shrimp and bridge. Any suggestions on how to overcome that?

#1 : how are your arms positioned when you are caught under side control? ideally you should have your far arm (assuming he is on your right) straightened with your hand near your left hip and your right arm is up near your jaw.

Don't be flat: You should try not to be flattened out on your back, instead try hunching as if doing a sit up/crunch. not staying flat on your back is one key to escaping/preventing side controls.

Anticipation: because no one jumps straight to side control but prolly from another position (usually scarf hold or head lock).

Make space: use that space to move to your side by a combo of bridge and shrimp. once you get a knee in between his body and the ground, work to full guard.

the (left) far arm should be safe from fig.4 locks and your (right) near arm should prepare for forearm choke attacks andother such nasties...

face him: always turn to face your opp. when defending side control.

#2 : if your arms are in a "boxing guard" position, then the MOMENT he clamps on for side control but BEFORE he has settled his weight onto you, you bridge and use your arms as a shelf - maintain your arms at a 90 deg. angle which should make space for you to maneuver if you want to play guard or to recover to your knees

hope this helps.

[JKDBerlin]

There is another concept to consider: timing. You don't attack the position when your opponent is simply in position, doing nothing but controlling you. Any escape here will simply drain your energy. Two occasions to counter:
- Before he has settled in side body, while transitioning from another position.
- When he is attacking, i.e. when he is creating space while setting up his attack.

Greetings

[wardancer]

All the above info is correct.
I must add that pushing your opponent face/head with a hard jerk with both hands will help.