Black Belts Don't Use Side Control - Craig Jones B Team BJJ Analysis

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Craig Jones from B Team jiu jitsu is preparing Alexander Volkanovski for his fight against Islam Makhachev. Craig has said a few controversial statements recently including "side control top is a bad position." Side control is one of if not the most popular position in jiu jitsu, so this is very controversial in the jiu jitsu community. In this video we talk about why Craig said this and why we agree that this will make BJJ more applicable in MMA. We also continue our study of guard passing from half guard and put a heavy emphasis on studying Gordon Ryan, John Danaher, Lachlan Giles, and Brandon McCaghren.
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Purple belt breakdown...Don't hate

[@danielmarbella1197]

Classic side control had a reason in BJJ, because originally BJJ was developed for self defense. As Roger Gracie said recently on an interview, open guard or leg locks are high risk for self defense. Side control is the step needed before the mount to finish the fight. Obviously after almost decades of sport BJJ, it had to evolve in a different way.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Great comment! Thank you for the support!

[@GreenDistantStar]

Good call. As John Danaher has stated, each transition towards mount has in mind a greater opportunity towards more effective strikes.

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@GreenDistantStar 🙌🏼

[@jasonfasser3220]

I mean Craig argues against this exact point in Power Rides. When you watch MMA guys stay in half guard. It’s a better striking position

[@zapodlearns7674]

Love it man! 👍👊 my passing will be taking leaps when I mesh this into my game and learning

[@mikesmototravels]

I think the issue is that people typically don't know how to apply side control correctly; oftentimes they're chasing shoulder pressure, rather than focusing on maintaining consistent, crushing chest pressure. Side control is a position where to cook your opponent while working toward the mount.

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure!

[@vibovitold]

Yeah, well. There's a reason why the Brazilians call side control "Cem Kilos" (100 kilograms)

[@MakeBlasters2024]

Mount is too risky

[@mjolnir9855]

100% agree. Mount is king, but side control is queen, and this is a game of chess. The power to get to the King is to first go through the Queen. Half guard to Mount is great in tournaments, but on the street, I would far rather take cross side or knee on bell first.

[@mjolnir9855]

@@MakeBlasters2024it’s King if you know how to maintain the Mount, as Mount offers superior striking poisition & Submissions. Moreoever, Mount is often a necessary prerequisite to taking the back. However, if multiple attackers, or if you aren’t fully confident in Mount, be safe and take Knee on Belly. Nearly as good as Mount. Not great for taking back, but who cares. If you can’t maintain Mount with confidence go for that knee on belly and go to town.

[@jonlong1269]

As a purple belt in 2004, in Brasil, my teacher would pass half guard by under hooking both arms and putting his palms on top of my head. He would then knee slice to side control or straight to mount. It was absolutely horrible to experience.

[@LIMIBJJ]

This is the way!

[@allanh7137]

Taking notes. Trying this asap.

[@kidnamedre]

As a blue belt I’m bout to try this asap lol

[@BobaFatt182]

Brutality

[@michaelstrangis8742]

Was he a tall guy? Relatively? Thanks

[@joshuapillar]

I think Craig's comment makes more sense in NOGI. As a black belt who has used side control a lot in my earlier years of training, I can say that I use side control now as transition point to the mount or back. I use it to setup things like head and arm control before transitioning to the mount. So my take would be that side control NOGI is VERY difficult to submit better people from. This is because, in side control, you cannot effectively attack and defend at the same time. Or as you said, you have to use your hands to control, therefore attacking means letting go of control.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Great comment! Thank you for the support!

[@alvarocorral1576]

I’ve been using side control my whole BJJ career effectively. You have to know how to pin people and transition from side to side, take the back, get into mount, knee on belly, and to north to south with more active people..

[@PauloBerni699]

👍 exactly

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure! Very dynamic position!

[@Darth_Bateman]

Side control is fake.

[@robg5161]

Even as a brown belt that started this sport in 2005, there is so much methodology in this that it makes me realise I'm closer to a new beginner than I'll ever be to the elite.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Amazing I am glad you found it helpful. Thank you for the comment and the support!

[@garrydye2394]

@@LIMIBJJ Why comment if your not even going to actually read the comment your replying too. Just doing a copy and paste reply is not an actual reply. Just so you know.

[@jamesorr4061]

Me too, and I'm a blackbelt that's been training nearly 20 years!

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@garrydye2394 I read everything

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@jamesorr4061 the grind never stops! Gotta love it!

[@fafre3395]

These are really interesting and powerful concepts for us to explore. As a brown belt that started in 09, I never liked side control and always favored the mount, and lately have been favoring leg rides and passes that lead to mount. But having seen Gordon the last 2 years kill everyone from side control it would be totally irrational to say it’s a bad position. Now that I’ve watched Danaher and Gordon’s side control instructionals I realized that I knew very little about the position, and I think that goes for most of us.

[@Glonk_Respecter]

I think a lot of people don’t explore the position much past the day one basic stuff: knees in the hip and armpit, cross face, etc. I like cross side for bigger guys, who are so big that my knees can’t touch when I’m in mount. It seems though with smaller guys who are more mobile, it’s hard to keep their hips pinned.

[@LIMIBJJ]

I appreciate the comment! Curious though where have you seen Gordon kill people from side control? Any matches you can reference?

[@Tommyknoxs]

Yea ima white belt (with wrestling experience) and I’ve noticed that when rolling with the purples and browns I can hold them down in half guard and front head but side control they always find away to get just enough side hip on the Matt to technically be back in half guard anyway

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@Tommyknoxs yeah the goal is when then do that to force them back to your half guard instead of their half guard. Hope that makes sense

[@Tommyknoxs]

@@LIMIBJJ no it does . The difference between me taking control of the legs with mine and trying to re pin vs them shrimping and getting control of me with their legs ready to manipulate my upper body

[@jiujitsustudent604]

This helps me understand why my last coach, who was a highly skilled competitive black belt, literally never used side control. He taught us how to escape from there, but his top game was centered around passing and making openings through pressure using knee on belly and/or using his opponent’s attempts to escape to take advantage of openings. Good video.

[@arnonabuurs7297]

knee on belly usually comes from a side control position (it actually is a side control position), so he was using it?

[@LIMIBJJ]

Awesome! This is a great comment thank you for sharing! I am glad you are finding the videos helpful and thank you for the support!

[@danieldelanoche2015]

@@arnonabuurs7297 you can pass directly into kob without spending time in the traditional side control position.

[@AlaskaJiuJitsu]

Exactly, use those knees to pin!!

[@cristianbroadnax8472]

If you take judo or have wrestled, side control is very easy to hold. There's many submissions and transitions from there if the position is established correctly. I'm a black belt btw been training since 2004.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Yeah for sure. Very stable position

[@thefightingphysio1407]

Agreed. Using your weight to pin rather than the arms. Then your arms are free for the sub.

[@BillHallProductions]

@@thefightingphysio1407 really shows what BJJ loses by not having a win by pin.

[@francisconikotian2326]

plus all the stuff you can do with the GI in side control

[@TrumpsaTerroristChangeMyMind]

@@francisconikotian2326 nobody cares about gi tho😂 it’s fun fs but it has a lottt of bull shido… No gi cleaned it up in my opinion

[@amosmj]

You are able to articulate what I've spent the last year fumbling my way through much more succinctly than I ever could. 👊

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you I am glad you found it helpful! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@genises200]

These videos are absolute gold. So much to learn and improve

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you! I am glad you are finding them helpful! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@aidanlee8804]

I think he definitely has a good point, however I believe this is more the case with No-Gi. In the Gi, with the fact you can use your opponent’s lapel to control and submit, it’s incredibly powerful. I never used to rate side control either, but now I love using various lapel strangles and kimuras from Side control and North-South effectively.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Good distinction! Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@Felskroner]

Yeah, being able to completely control their hips with one pant grip, or their torso with a lapel grip; this def seems more of a no-gi philosophy

[@TFBx]

You didn’t used to rate it at all? Isn’t that irresponsible to not even rate it on a scale of 1-10? Especially if you’re rating all other positions.

[@biscobisco1882]

@@TFBx "Didn't rate it" is idiomatic slang (this guy's probably Australian) for "didn't like it".

[@thomaswilliams3426]

💯

[@tagg1080]

It is so annoying that wrestlers and judo players have been telling BJJ guys this stuff for years and years. But because the BJJ guys have the biggest training and talent pools for their sport, they didn't want to believe they were doing anything suboptimal. I am glad we are moving in the right direction.

[@N00btr00per]

What is "this stuff"?

[@ps9501]

@@N00btr00per Well obviously taking somebody down, and holding them there. John Danaher has said that this is biggest problems in BJJ when transitioning into MMA.

[@thesamu100]

@@N00btr00per pulling guard is cringe. thats literally it xd

[@SolarJakee]

Pretty sure wrestling and 100% judo have bigger talent pools than bjj

[@N00btr00per]

@@ps9501 But is this what this video is about?

[@BenEddy]

10th planet teaches against traditional side control for similar reasons, instead we play side control turned towards the hips or more north south. Great video 👌👏

[@LIMIBJJ]

Awesome thank you for this insight Ben! I love watching you compete and appreciate your support! Stay on the grind my man 👊🏼

[@shazbotmcgee4055]

10th planet Beaumont here under Brian Debes (second degree black belt under Eddie) we use side control a lot. We can attack or advance from side control well.

[@etimezz]

Power Ride had the biggest impact on my game than any other instructional.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Complete mindset shift for sure!

[@ohayosumodayton1226]

Sitting on the leg, catch wrestling has done this for awhile. Glad to see others picking it up.

[@LIMIBJJ]

👊🏼

[@kogrady2409]

This is the video I’ve been waiting for since I started watching Craig’s Power Ride video months ago. This is where the most work needs to be done to move the sport forward.

[@Kirk690_0]

iv just finished watching the instructional and i agree, its fantastic

[@peekaboojujitsoo525]

I havent looked back since craig's power ride. Complete game changer and eye opener to what khabib, ben askren and folk style wrestlers do.

[@kogrady2409]

@@peekaboojujitsoo525 It's really insane that I don't hear more people talking about that video. Most of those positions I have never seen taught, are incredibly powerful for controlling your opponent and are pretty easy to get to from common positions like leg drag. If you watch the B team channel, you can see Craig using them over and over and smashing guys. It's the most innovative work that I've seen in years, probably since Danaher's first leg lock system vids.

[@peekaboojujitsoo525]

@@kogrady2409 people wont appreciate power ride until gordon and/or danaher put out a leg riding instructional and even then it probably wont hit mainstream cuz people want the flashy sweeps and subs. Leg riding and shelfing is pretty much what I aim to do all the time especially against bigger and or explosive guys.

[@LIMIBJJ]

This is the way! Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@MasterTeep]

Came home from practice sus about using side control and just like that, my favorite bjj channel appears. 🙏

[@LIMIBJJ]

Hahahaha gotta love that algorithm! Thanks for the support my man!

[@jiujitsuismyoutlet]

Yes this is amazing. Our team has been very focused on half guard and why it’s one of the best positions… especially in MMA…. WAY better to pin someone in half guard (using your legs to pin theirs) and beat them up vs. trying to pass and risk giving space for an escape. Against high level guys, learning how to submit or finish from top half guard is super beneficial.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Great comment! Thank you for the support!

[@Ingeniousleo85]

Major difference between Gi and No Gi. Might as well be two different sports. Side control is extremely strong with a Gi on and gives you several avenues to collar chokes, armbars, key locks etc. now without a Gi I don’t even know why they call it Jiu-Jitsu. Try doing a bow and arrow choke, or bread cutter with a Gi then do it without a Gi. Different ideas for one position that is applied totally differently depending upon Gi or No Gi

[@LIMIBJJ]

True that! Thanks for the comment and the insight. I appreciate the support!

[@Shaka_Garami]

Great content as always my man. On a unrelated note, did you see the Q&A with Craig that was just posted on the Legion AJJ channel? He actually talks about why he doesn't favour the straight jacket system, preferring to take back control on top (with opponents chest to the floor). I thought this was an interesting insight and probably speaks to why we don't see this strategy employed as much by B Team like we do with the New Wave boys. Keep up the great work bro, it's much appreciated!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Very interesting. I haven’t seen it but will check it out. Thank you!

[@benkelly7182]

As a smaller guy I like using knee on belly from the side so I don’t attach myself to larger and stronger opponents that can roll me. I can transition easily from knee in belly and it’s a great self defense position for the visibility and ability to stand back up quickly if you want. I love knee slice passes and switch back and forth between the slice and the assumed mount (1/4 guard) as your knee works back and forth from side to side you make a little forward progress and both the slice and mount become more likely. If all that ain’t workin you can try a back step into a nice leg entanglement for sport BJJ. Staying in half guard is additionally good for self defense (or sport) because the guy can’t turn away to turtle and you don’t need to pass fully to punch him in the face. GSP does that. I like to also change my mindset when I roll. Sometimes just rolling with a pure sport BJJ mentality or sometimes rolling as if punches could be thrown. Keeping my head in safe places, being in position to block strikes or deliver them, and like I said earlier knee on belly for the quick disengage. You never know when someone’s grandma is gonna come out the house and hit you with that purse of doom.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Love the mentality my man! 😂 purse of doom 😂 😂 😂

[@slitheryshrek436]

This is an awesome video. What amazes me more than how well this analysis is put together is that I've been doing this in no-gi ever since I started without even knowing most of the time. Super stoked you put this together to help me better understand my game!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Yeah I think it makes total sense and a lot of us gravitate towards it naturally. I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@brendanj8344]

Craig Jones is one of the best minds in the sport, but I wonder if this quote is being taken out of context? I love being in mount on people my size or smaller (170lbs) but when people start getting in that 200 lb range that are athletic, I have a ton of trouble keeping peoples arms up beside their head to even attack and everyone talks about how "strong and methodical" I am. This gets worse as the weight goes up, we have athletic 300lb guys at our gym (think football linebackers) and when I'm in mount on them, I cant even get my knees to the floor, feels like trying to pin a teeter totter. I find it much easier to manage side control/north south with those guys and hunt for underhooks.

[@LIMIBJJ]

I think Craig is really focusing on preparing Volk for his fight in the UFC so I think the main context was MMA but I also think that Craig has realized this is a huge hole in jiu jitsu and is working to fix it

[@brendanj8344]

@@LIMIBJJ B Team might be the silver medalists in Jiu Jitsu, but they seem to be leading the way in DEFENSIVE grappling for MMA. Dagestan definitely is leading in offense though. I'm a huge Volk fan, I hope he can pull it off.

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@brendanj8344 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@DontbeanNPC]

I've always been the same with favoring side control because of how stable it is and I've been told numerous times how great my pressure is from there. I just realized even more so why that is from this video. It's like you explained in the beginning with Khabib. He first uses his arms to control and then transfers to his legs which is essentially what I do via tripoding up on my feet along with a strong crossface for added pressure and control in side control. However, it is absolutely true that once you are ready to attack, you have to move your arms which allows your opponent to capitalize and escape. This video was very insightful as always. One question I have is when you're beginning to pass and look for control over the upper body, I run into trouble when my training partner begins to use both arms or even just one to frame and push my upper body away before I gain control of his upper body. He pushes me down his body and then he's able to create a scramble or even recover his guard. How do I prevent his framing and pushing me away down his body?

[@LIMIBJJ]

Great point and great question. I found this video to be interesting and helpful when dealing with this. A bit of a different context but hopefully it helps kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZmtpq19q9uIjNE

[@DontbeanNPC]

@@LIMIBJJ thanks man!

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@DontbeanNPC 🙌🏼

[@joshuagibbs8477]

Good info. I'm also stoked and surprised to see I made a small appearance in this video! 😁

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha right on my man I appreciate the comment and the support! Stay on the grind 👊🏼

[@mikebocon6085]

Love the discussions in the comments but I think one thing everyone should keep in mind is that the debate about whether or not something is “best” depends entirely upon the context. In the gi in a points tournament side control is great. In no gi sub only, not as good. Similarly pulling guard under one rule set can be a great strategy and under a different rule set can result in a penalty. That doesn’t make side control or pulling guard good or bad, it all depends.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Great point! Thank you for the comment and the support!

[@MrCmon113]

The main advantage of mount is that all of the eating I'm doing is paying off and I don't even have to know any submissions.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Hahaha I have been training my whole life for this

[@death0hand0]

I've always found trying to hold side control to kind of pointless for the most part. I'd rather give a little space to let them start extending limbs which makes transition to more dominant positions easier also allot easier to put them into a riding position to tire them out if they are being to spazzy. Great content!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Awesome hanks for the comment! I am glad you are finding the content helpful and thank you for the support!

[@dusanslepcev2665]

What are riding positions? I’d love to learn more about them!

[@death0hand0]

@@dusanslepcev2665 basically any position where youre pinning his legs to the floor. Craig jones has a great instructional on them

[@dontblink8397]

Side control is arm submission city for me man idk🤷🏻‍♂️ also, a simple decent head and arm hold in side control is a great position to tire them out with. I just make everything in side control about crushing them with my top pressure. As opposed to reach over them to the opposite arm I’m grinding my arm across their body with my weight. Think of it kind of like, everything is a cross face😂

[@bohemenper1636]

this is mma...

[@amrshlomr]

to anyone reading the comments: If you plan on competing, and you don't watch this channel religiously you will fall behind. LessImpressedMoreInvolvedBJJ has improved my grappling dramatically when I consume it daily and attempt to apply it in my daily grappling. Thanks so much!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Amazing thank you for this comment! I am glad you are finding the videos helpful and I appreciate the support! Lets get better at no gi jiu jitsu!

[@jameskinzer5791]

As a white belt I get a ton out of these videos. Please keep the big brain content coming !

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you! I am glad you are finding them helpful! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@scottlopez9822]

As a 14 year BJJ practioner and Black Belt, I rarely use traditional side control ... unless it's a set up for submission ... good video

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you! Appreciate the comment and the support!

[@af4396]

You're using your arms and knees to wedge, not to hold them down. You're using your body weight, chest to chest, to hold them down. The combination of wedging and weight is the pin, not the arms. That being said, I've never had a big issue with it because you usually transition to another side control like kesa or 100 kilos or something if you can't get a sub.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Keep doing your thing! I appreciate the comment and the insight! Thank you for the support!

[@TheItalianGentleman2394]

When I started working on my side control and realized how effective it is when you learn to properly control guys from there is a game changer

[@LIMIBJJ]

💪🏼

[@maynorvallecillo1923]

This channel is absolutely goated

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha thanks my man! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@thezucc2478]

This channel is a gold mine ! Fantastic explanations, I will for sure be tuning in next time !

[@LIMIBJJ]

Awesome thank you for the support!

[@highcroccropkick4]

look up neil melanson, he’s the best grappler no one has heard of and he’s been incorporating judo and wrestling with bjj for many years. He uses cradles for passing, control, and even submissions. People literally give the cradle with knee shields and z guard. Craig in his z guard dvd talks about a pass that he can’t stop and it’s similar to the cradle. anyway the cradle is an amazing tool that no one really seems to use

[@LIMIBJJ]

Neil is the man and he is hilarious haha. Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@highcroccropkick4]

@@LIMIBJJ hell yeah i’ve bought most of his stuff on bjj fanatics. hell yeah man, i enjoy your stuff

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@highcroccropkick4 thanks man appreciate it!

[@blitzthekraken9832]

Understanding the rules will eventually guide the sport to lackluster tactics that are for sport. The rule is submit. Whenever a sport takes only one rule an hyper focuses all it attention that rule, the less real the sport becomes. Pining folks show you can control them, submitting folks show you can submit them. Wrestlers hyper focus on control, Judo does a bit of both, and BJJ does submit. In my opinion BJJ is the less rounded grappling of them all, because ther is a lot more to grappling then just submit. And Greg Jones is starting to figure this out because honestly, submitting folks is actually the easy one to learn, controlling and throwing are the hard ones. Craig Jones is to late in the game to make real contributions to control and throwing because his hyper focus has led him to practice with sub par grapplers in those areas, and when he is rolling with good grapplers in that area he plays only the submit game and doesn’t challenge. When Greg Jones flies over to Dagestan, Russia, France and Japan and rolls by their rules in those areas and competes and dominates, then maybe he has something to say, until then he is a phenomenal submission artist, that’s it no more no less.

[@LIMIBJJ]

I think he is a great person to bridge the gap. He is someone we all respect and is opening our eyes to this new world. I hope we continue to go down this path

[@blitzthekraken9832]

@@LIMIBJJ I love the guy too, but the best grapplers that can teach you really how to control someone just by pure wrestling don’t go to his school nor train with him…so how can you teach it. Your better off training at American kickboxing with Daniel team. Or even pay a visit to Travis stevens. Controlling and throwing is hard to learn and hard to teach, and if you aren’t doing it daily with high level folks, you are not really a great grappler, your a submissions artist. You only know how to paint one way. In other words, step outside your comfort zone, and learn about grappling, not bjj.

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@blitzthekraken9832 for sure. Immerse yourself in it

[@tennisjiujitsu]

I've been using side control to mounted crucifix to the classic Americana. Usually being the smaller guy mount isn't the best position for me as I get bench pressed off. I've used mount as a transition to the back once they try to explode or force them to turn by threating submissions.

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure find the best style for you! Learn it all! Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@jamesspina7761]

I literally have notifications on for this Channel and he has finally convinced me to buy instructional’s to up my game to the next level

[@LIMIBJJ]

Amazing thanks for the comment! I am glad you saw the light! Instructionals are such a great resource!

[@ChristopherCarpenter]

Train by day, less impressed more involved Jiu-Jitsu by night, all day!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Hahahaha thanks my man I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@ChristopherCarpenter]

@@LIMIBJJ thanks for making this content. Genuinely insightful and impactful in my game. There have been about 3-4 specific times during a roll where I remember a detail from one of your videos, your voice ringing in the back of my mind as I am either getting smooshed or doing a bit of the smooshing.

[@MesGuided]

ALL DAY!!

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@ChristopherCarpenter haha love to hear it! Glad you are finding them helpful. Stay on the grind my man!

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@MesGuided 😆

[@dizzydean]

One thing I've learned in my 20plus years of training BJJ is that that anything that is stated in absolute terms (never do this, this is wrong, etc) has to be taken with a grain of salt. Back in the days they used to say things like: Never cross your legs (whether in back control or doing an armbar), don't go for ankle locks bec it goes to show your passing sucks, leg locks are cheap shots, Higher belts can never lose to lower belts, etc etc.

[@brandonpemberton5707]

Its interesting that Rickson solved this issue decades ago. And while im a member at one of only 3 Rickson team academies we are seen as being "old school." Yet, we are the ones who abandoned playing "sidecontrol" as it is termed and applied by the sporties, years ago. That being because what it truly is is arm squeeze control.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Awesome I appreciate the insight! thank you for the comment and the support!

[@brandonpemberton5707]

@@LIMIBJJ welcome! Insight is about all i can offer coming from a self defense oriented school. When you market yourself as a self defense academy you get less enthused athletes through the door and more of the "do i need to take my socks off too?" types🤷🏽‍♂️. We do however have ONE individual out of all three campuses that has decided to pursue competition on a world stage. He enrolled in a comp trial held by Gordan Ryan and New Wave which involved between 4 and 500 competitors. They only kept 6 athletes and he was one of them. So he will be training here in Austin for 6 weeks at New Wave beginning in February i believe. Will be interesting to see how the training goes..

[@MesGuided]

@Brandon would like to hear more details about this! 🙏🙏

[@brandonpemberton5707]

@@MesGuided ok 👍. That about all the info i have about it. He's a 1st year purple belt.

[@MesGuided]

@@brandonpemberton5707 I meant info on what you meant on what/how Rickson solved

[@ronaldinhoisfat]

Can’t wait to see your video on getting past knee shields!!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Knee shields are the worst haha

[@ronaldinhoisfat]

@@LIMIBJJ agreed 👍🏽

[@PeterHeang]

The double guard pulling 😂

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha going to keep that one in the back pocket for later as well. So classic 😂

[@pedroespat8183]

with this channel ill never have to buy an instructional!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha just skimming the surface my man but thank you. The instructional content and websites out there are amazing resources

[@weisey100]

I would love to see a text or flowchart breakdown of your videos. Where you structure the options e.g. in position x you have options a,b,c with those advantages and disadvantages. Just following the video sometimes is hard. I think you could easily collect thousands of emails and then again use those to send out newsletters about your new videos and courses. What do you think?

[@LIMIBJJ]

Yeah I like the idea! To be honest, the videos are usually me just noticing things and then I go and try them out in my training to see what works best for me. Not until later do I have a clear sense of direction. So after months and months of experimenting, that is when I made the course, which basically provides the structure that works best for me and the training methods I used to get there. I like the idea of having a downloadable PDF though to provide that value to people in exchange for their email. Thank you for this!

[@justingacina4529]

Wanted to see thoughts on top crucifix from side control. I think it solves the issue of having to use both arms to control the opponent. I like to pass and immediately trap the near side arm with my legs... ideally both... to form an X that captures the near side arm. Then I will keep most of my weight into the opponents chest to flatten them... while immediately working on the far side arm with 2 arms + my head. If I can get a kimura grip, I will remove the headside leg of my "X trap" and step over the head to get the Danaher diagonal kimura. Oftentimes when you remove one leg off the near side arm, opponent will immediately turn into you, which assists in finishing the kimura. If they turn to the far side, you get the back. If you have trouble finishing the kimura, turn it into an armbar/triangle scenario. Top crucifix is the only way I play top side control now. Sometimes I can get "stepover" triangles from side control... but these triangles are still set up with the side control top crucifix, always using the double leg trap on the nearside arm

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure good point! Appreciate the comment!

[@svish5790]

I'm a fan of Craig Jones, but I really do find this a bit of mute point. Side control in the gi is a good position as you can manage a fair bit of control over your opponent and attacking from there is a realistic option. Side control in no gi doesn't have near the same amount of control and with no lapel chokes, attacking from there is a bit of a shot in the dark. The problem is when people keep talking about no gi like that is all bjj through and through. I'd be interested to see someone ask Roger Gracie if he thinks side control is a redundant position.

[@LIMIBJJ]

The gi is the worst haha 😆 I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@PapaioannouOrama]

It's not a moot point though because Craig's comments are with respect to no gi/MMA, so of course you'll find flaws in his reasoning when applied outside of that.

[@svish5790]

@@LIMIBJJ No sir, it is the best. More techniques = Better Less techniques = Worse Also, let's be real. Gi is harder. It just is. Harder = rewarding Easier = less rewarding

[@EmJayEss]

Someone did ask Roger recently about positioning. Lex Friedman podcast had him on, where he put his opinion forward in no uncertain terms that Roger said Mount is King. Lex took devils advocate to discuss the back and side control so it's an interesting listen.

[@LIMIBJJ]

@@EmJayEss for sure! Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@mynameisurl1073]

I get where LIMI is coming from, but once i understood the concept of bodyweight distribution and pressure, my side control became one of my better positions. The key is to stay off your knees and use the arm closest to your opponent's hip to block them from regaining their guard and having the other arm wrapped over the opponents far arm. It's a really great way to control your opponent and gives you more opportunities to attack.

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure! 💯

[@Ufcfreak97]

To me this is less bjj and more like body mechanics 😂

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha true that

[@ricardovelez3923]

People who dont watch this channel are missing out. Thank you for the content

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thanks man I am glad you are finding the videos helpful! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@tra1in1]

Craig jones just selling videos. All new guys get hyped up. Just put the gi on.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha gi is the worst 😆 thanks for the comment and the support!

[@user-ks9bz8vy7s]

Ralph Gracie taught us at my academy that side control can be devastating. Til this day I use it

[@dildobaggins8987]

There’s nothing like watching galaxy brain content when you’re a white belt. Its almost reassuring to know that there’s levels beyond what you even believe to be the top level 🤣

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha for sure! Such a young sport and developing so quickly! Love the name and thanks for the support!

[@tdrivers1102]

Gotta bring out the notepad and watch this a couple times through. Jam packed with valuable information

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you I am glad you found it helpful! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@MuayThaiDreadlock]

keep jiu jitsu gay, all im sayin

[@taipeibjj]

After listening to Roger Gracie on Lex Friedman's podcast, I've been Trying to utilize mount more. This has added to it. Half guard to mount is still a work in progress though. Great video!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Me too! Thank you for the comment and the support!

[@ChongAli]

props bro i genuinely enjoyed how thoughtful this breakdown is 💯

[@SoulJiuJitsu]

This seems to ignore the fact that side control is very effective for passing to mount. So, while true that you have to release control to go for a submission, you DO NOT let go of control to move to the mount through knee on belly.

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure. It’s often easier to just go straight to mount or at least get double underhooks from half guard so if you do go to side control it’s easier to moung

[@KierenLefevre]

Excellent video, I really enjoyed this breakdown.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thanks Kieren! Glad you found it helpful!

[@jenpachi2408]

Yeah i agree with some of the other comments. The focus on bjj as sport rather then self defense or MMA has made side control less effective in that context leg locks are extremely risky when your opponent can rain punches on you, although i love the modern techniques .

[@LIMIBJJ]

💯

[@smokingrodballs2735]

Combine jiu-jitsu with either judo or wrestling, you'll become a master at control since these sports have a huge emphasis on pinning the opponent

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure! 🙌🏼

[@EnergiaMartialArts]

Very interesting topic! Great to see the evolution now

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you I am glad you found it helpful. I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@matiaslopez3315]

While it is valuable to conceptualize the game as a search for mount or back control for better fight outcomes, this is already reflected in BJJ's standard scoring system. Mount and back control award 4 points, the maximum score, and finishing ensures an immediate win. It is evident that the moves that score the most points are more preferable, but they are also more difficult to achieve. You must be able to immobilize or neutralize the opponent in fewer steps, which implies fewer controlled phases during the transition. This technical reason explains why suggestions from super-competitors like "champions of..." have this bias in their perspective of BJJ in general.

[@user-fb4zo8wd5n]

From the very beginning, my coach emphasized the superiority of mount over side control even if we felt we have more options from the side control.

[@LIMIBJJ]

This is the way! Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@lambman1999]

I love side control, mostly for GI. My guard game was always sus at best lol, but something about controlling from side was always fun for me and led to many armbar openings.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Yeah for sure in the gi it is much better!

[@jer1234ish]

My brother puts on the Emerald City Invitational events; very cool to see it being featured in the BJJ media landscape

[@LIMIBJJ]

It was a great event! Very fun to watch with a lot of matches and experience levels

[@cameronarchibald4058]

The overback grip that Gordon also teaches from half guard eliminates the threat of the octopus guard and is a great way to walk the opponent back flat and get chest to chest . I do like the reverse underhook but find it's less stable for the reasons you have mentioned here . Great content as always 😊

[@LIMIBJJ]

Exactly. The overback grip is like a reverse crossface type grip. I also find this much safer to use to prevent the octopus sit up. Thanks for the comment!

[@dustinwalker8152]

To quote the greatest grappler of all time, Chael P. Sonnen the Bad Guy himself, "position before submission."

[@ChiefBearFoot]

Side control in the gi is definitely more effective than no gi side control

[@LIMIBJJ]

True that

[@MJRLHobbyStuff]

Great stuff guys. A bit of info overload but excellent

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you glad you found it helpful!

[@jamesspina7761]

I used the Craig Jones escape from side control and chest to chest that was shown in the video in training and it was pretty crazy to see it work on guys who are way bigger then me

[@LIMIBJJ]

Amazing thanks for this comment! I am glad you are finding the videos helpful and thank you for the support!

[@denniswm81]

I always felt that getting out of mount is so much easier than side control

[@LIMIBJJ]

Right on yeah they both have different challenges and are both very controlling positions

[@PsychologyStud]

I think in general, escaping mount is easier, but for me personally, escaping side control is easier. I think it is because side control is my best position so I understand how to set up a half dozen reversals from there. In mount, all I have is shrimping to retain guard or that basic reversal where you trap an arm and bridge that direction. And I am terrible at both shrimping and bridging haha.

[@bolsbolbol368]

Putting the head to the other side on the half guard pass is some 1995 Barra, renzo, Ralph stuff. Super old and super effective.

[@LIMIBJJ]

🙌🏼

[@magicalfrijoles6766]

I wrestled and did BJJ for nine years. I stopped in 2004. I can still own 99% of guys walking down the street. It's so clear that this game has passed me by years ago though. Even if I got in amazing shape, I don't think I could hang with some of these blue belts.

[@LIMIBJJ]

It's evolving quickly!

[@Whosyourdaddy21]

The issue is when you only use techniques in one context they will eventually become more specialized and less effective in other contexts. It happens with every sport, people find ways to take advantage of the rule set making things less effective when the rules change.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Agreed!

[@patrikcabelka9579]

Your videos are top notch man keep up the good work. Looking forward to the last part

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you! I am glad you are finding them helpful! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@Ryanin2D]

Roger Gracie was just talking about this on the Lex podcast

[@LIMIBJJ]

This is the way! Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@tprountzos]

I'll take mount over side control any day. If you get bumped off your mount, you're probably landing in your closed guard, whereas if you get bumped off side control, you're probably landing in their side control. And it's so hard to keep a good guard player in your side control from reposing their guard.

[@LIMIBJJ]

That is a great point!

[@artemthetrain14]

My coach has been saying for years that the best passers pass to mount. This, I exclusively pass to side control.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Hahaha right on! Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@jimjam762]

The way he analyzes jiu-jitsu is like that book, if you give a mouse a cookie

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha I had to look this up but it’s pretty funny

[@brysonz]

Side control in the gi is way stronger than in no gi. Craig is speaking to the no gi crowd.

[@LIMIBJJ]

True that

[@Lijah2good4u]

We been training this way for awhile thanks to jones and Ryan, started making contact in the early stage to get mount and submit, it’s getting rid of the neural and goin from a defensive position to a submission- Danaher

[@WopBeats]

That power ride instructional was worth every cent lol

[@LIMIBJJ]

💯💯💯

[@ethanbuttitta1]

Dude no way you posted a side control video. Was just just thinking about how a video from you about it would be great!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Haha cant teach that chemistry! I appreciate the comment and the support!

[@andreborges2106]

We're talking about jiu jitsu as if submissions are the only thing you can lose from. You got your guard passed, you lost. Pretty simple, the analytics are very clear. Nearly 100% of people who get their guards passed lost their matches at ADCC and IBJJF worlds. Period.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Hope you are finding the guard passing series helpful!

[@greenwave2450]

Top Half guard is supreme in no gi. Leg entanglement helps dramatically because people are so slippery in no gi

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure. Connection!

[@skelly_snipez1291]

Ive never been a fan of side control. I like the pressure, but its more of an annoyance than anything.

[@mfp5585]

My background is in judo not BJJ, but since we all know that BJJ stands for basically just judo, lemme share what my coach told me about this recently: ofcourse you have to control his top (shoulders/chest) and then you want to have your head and hips on the same side of his body, the other aide than your trapped leg. Also a lot of the "side control" (actually called yoko shio gatame) examples in this video wouldn't get you passed a belt exam in judo. With good technique you can definitely hold them and perhaps transition to ude garami or ude gatame (since you guys need a tap not just a pin).

[@LIMIBJJ]

Awesome comment I appreciate it!

[@lawindmunky1]

The title should be: Grapplers Don't Use Side Control. Because: 1) It's the opposite in the Gi. 2) Roger Gracie confirmed it (Lex Fridman Podcast). 3)There are no belts in grappling.

[@LIMIBJJ]

For sure! That is a good distinction

[@sebastianbroscheyoga]

The level of analysis on KZbin these days.. 🤯

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed it 🙌🏼 I appreciate the comment Sebastian!

[@hhattonaom9729]

As a brown belt I’ve realized this more and more in the last few years

[@Paul-fw5jp]

I've been grappling about 40 years both Judo and JuJitsu. Blk Belt in both. Also train in MMA. Law Enforcement experience. And I have found that top mount is NOT the way to go in a real life or death fight. Especially when the opponent is very large, and a lot bigger than you are. From side control I can protect myself better and throw elbows, knees and work all kinds of finger, wrist, arm cranks, locks. Definitely keeps my firearm away from the individual or threat. I never teach mounting unless your training pure sport and he's your size or smaller. I don't mind my students practicing the mount or the triangle chokes, but we will use chokes and cranks, mostly from side or back control.

[@LIMIBJJ]

Awesome comment thank you for this! I appreciate it!

[@jarodkirby5793]

Awesome congrats on the BJJ fanatics as a sponsor 👊🎉

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thank you! Big day! Thanks for all the support!

[@georgiosvavliaras1066]

Congrats on the sponsor brother, well deserved!

[@LIMIBJJ]

Thanks my man I appreciate all the support!

[@kingmatrix1345]

Rickson shaking his head with no side control mindset.

[@LIMIBJJ]

😞

[@tyhatfield7156]

I think really really good stuff and I appreciate you buddy the big thing that I’m working on right now and I think it helps is a little thing that Professor Pedro Sauer was talking about was not letting their stinky feet get on your gi! And then also not letting them put their hand or arm behind your head

[@LIMIBJJ]

Nice yeah little tricks like that are great and he is one of the best teachers so I imagine he has a lot of amazing ways of articulating things. Thanks for the comment and the support!

[@isaacrcason]

**fist bump** This has made me realize that I put too much faith in side control. I have some studying to do! Thanks for the vid!

[@LIMIBJJ]

👊🏼 awesome I am glad you found it helpful! Stay on the grind 🙌🏼

[@yumpyup469]

Dope to see my coach being used as an example in this video lol