Side Control Escape - These Small Details Change Everything

[@BlockheadJiujitsu]

Jon... I've been doing jits for 8 years and I'm an average purple belt who has always wondered how the high level players recover guard so well when I get stuck. I've seen so many side control escape vids and they never covered this stuff. You pointed out so many little mistakes and easy fixes, I'm extremely grateful -- Thank you!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot buddy! It means a lot I try to show the real stuff that makes a difference between high level competitiors and it’s often small stuff like this so I’m happy to see how much you value this.

[@hermixtonen]

I like your videos too. Currently studying Gordon’s pin escapes . Amazing detail in that series

[@hermixtonen]

Love the tip on his lifting your outside leg makes it easier to get your near knee into that hip and get knee elbow connection .

[@hermixtonen]

Awesome details all the way through

[@hermixtonen]

One more note - at the end of the video , where you cover composing yourself back into guard by using your left leg (the leg that is not forming a knee shield of sorts ) Gordon advocates (in this example) placing your left foot onto your right ankle and pushing away by pushing your right ankle with your left foot . Just food for thought

[@marcelovillarroel6466]

Hard to believe I just received this amount of details for free. Just transformed my elbow-knee escape, Professor Thomas.

[@MizzoniDojo]

This is exactly what I needed to see this morning. By far my biggest weakness at the moment. This really helped thanks Jon

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem buddy happy to help, side escape is a huge hole for a lot of people

[@mhanif8816]

@@JonThomasBJJ thanks a lot bud. The elbow to knee connection to create a wedge is a detail I was missing

[@benclassen4299]

Everybodies weakness. Side control escape is one of the toughest to master

[@mhanif8816]

@@JonThomasBJJ have you got an instructional on how to pass this? I try to get to the North South if I'm blocked. I appreciate all your videos.

[@edwardludwig6360]

Same!!!

[@maalipaas]

We just had a class where we covered side control escape. Only after watching this video I realize how little am I able to pick up during a single class. It is so great to see a break down like this so I can understand why I need to move in a certain way, this is extremely useful. Thanks Jon!

[@guillermo4851]

This video is one of the best I have seen so far in KZbin covering the basics. And me being a WB is what I need, not berimbolos. Thank you.

[@AshEnkhUlzii]

I’m a white belt and know I know so much from this video and now I learned more cause of watching you’re vids! I subscribed to u

[@dindogatan3715]

Thank you very much for the details, Jon. I'm a purple belt and have been training for 8 years now and is turning 50 soon and these details will help my game a lot!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Happy to hear it buddy! It’s the small stuff that adds up to make a difference! Some of these small details can change everything for you. I hope it helps you on your journey!

[@Hector-bj3ls]

I'm a brand new white belt, I had my second class today. I watched some guard passing defence, side control escape, and mount escape videos between classes and found some success with them. Turns out I have a natural affinity for grappling. I managed to submit a 4 stripe white belt, and hold out against a blue belt for a whole round. It did help that I was stronger than the white belt in question. I'm sure if I didn't have the strength advantage I wouldn't have been so successful. I was making a few of these mistakes, so it's good to see all these small details. There is so much to learn in BJJ. I've noticed that even really subtle changes in how you move, or where you place your legs and arms makes a huge difference to how well the techniques work.

[@NegatingSilence]

Been doing this for 6 years (with some breaks) and this is the first time I've had someone address these details.

[@rolotomase1440]

I'm a blue belt and have been training for a little over 1.5 years 4x a week. After week 1 I pretty much wore out every side control video on YT. As good as those videos are; I wish this video was available to me in the beginner because there a few key details. #1 lifting your foot. It makes total sense but when you're underneath somebody it's hard to know why something isn't working. And second the knee on the chest to lasso. I'm a little bit older, a little bit fatter, and a lot slower but I often get my knee in "that" far. I'm absolutely trying this next chance I get. Thank you for a wonderful and informative video!

[@alexmarin9991]

This video covers a lot more details than John Danaher’s video on escaping side control. Can’t wait to implement them. Keep up the great work!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah there are so many different styles and variations for escaping side, these little details made a huge difference for me.

[@Cashvertising]

This is an incredibly well produced and presented instructional video. What a fabulous teacher. Your directions to the photographer is something lacking in so many similar martial arts videos. Fast, no nonsense, no needless rambling... 100% practical instruction. Definitely worth a subscription click and thumbs up. Thanks so much.

[@mephistosteiner8064]

Videos with details like this, are the reason why your teaching is special and so much appriciated. Thank you !!!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Really appreciate it! Happy you see the value von my way of organizing and teaching! I’ll post more soon.

[@danielblocksom]

Incredibly useful. I'm a white belt kept getting stuck in side control by the brown and black belts when rolling. I got frustrated and watched this. Haven't gotten stuck since. Huge game changer!! Making my way through your other videos too. Thank you so much for sharing so much great content with us. With much appreciation from Japan

[@JohnnyRugged06]

I like how you have two voices; one for when you're talking to us, and one for when you're talking to the uke or the cameraman. It's helpful and it also makes me laugh.

[@jiujitsustudent604]

Good stuff man. Lately, I’ve just been putting myself in bottom side control at the beginning of every roll. It’s my worst spot, so I figured I better get good at it. This should help!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah once you are comfortable escaping and attacking from there you will be much more comfortable with your guard as a whole

[@Looking-great]

I do the same too. I deliberately put myself in bad positions so I can work on good escapes.

[@AnProMunch]

Yet again insane quality content, great stuff! Thank you!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot Luke! Happy you liked the technique!

[@Downhaven]

That knee on chest as opposed to trying to bring it straight through is exactly the problem I've had. Spot on instructional, thank you.

[@Downhaven]

And it's so basic, I love that type of profound passing of knowledge.

[@rodrigoep01]

You are the only BJJ guy I watch on YT. Thank you Jon!

[@davebyrne3726]

Thanks for this. The arm movement explanation while your partner was off you was a nice touch too, to see how your arm moves underneath. Great understanding from your partner too. Thanks both.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah the mechanics of elbow positioning underneath is so critical for getting out, one small thing off can make it basically impossible to get out.

[@maxsalmin]

This is next-level instruction, thanks a lot Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem really happy you enjoyed it!

[@real_roadhouse]

KZbin must be watching my rolls... because yesterday I was able to close the elbow/knee space on bottom in side control, but I was unable to fully recover my guard. Thanks for the details and concepts; teaching a man to fish. 🙏

[@fightfiles]

You are really good at teaching and describing the concepts. I’ve been around the block a bit, and that’s my opinion.

[@terrywolfram2779]

Great material. This makes so much sense after being stuck in side control. As a white belt I’ve actually been able to implement the stuff you explain because it’s so clear and it’s really helped. Thanks!

[@jarrodkominsky1023]

This is going to be a huge help for me. I’ve been keeping my left foot planted while trying to bring my right knee inside. All of these little details resonated with me immediately. Thank you.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah honestly that keeping the foot planted on the floor is the biggest killer for so many people. I’m sure it’s gonna make a huge difference for you. Make sure you have good frames first as well so you can properly create initial space.

[@skepticalhippo6376]

Same!! You took the words right out of my mouth. I thought it was just the way I was built that I couldn’t get that knee in. This was an awesome vid!

[@Lockdown_502]

I know I'm a year late but THANK YOU for this video. My coach showed me the "chicken wing" under the jaw to create space and I've never heard anyone else talk about it. It helped me tremendously so I started hunting for it on KZbin. Yours is the only video I found that talks about it. Great video!

[@Trephining]

Ding dang, saving this this one to rewatch at least 2-3 times, as each of these will likely improve my bottom side control escapes. Excellent stuff.

[@saharaharris]

Loving the level of detail - thanks for posting!

[@darylkenny4562]

I like this. I trained for a number of years and have been away for almost a decade now. I’ve been getting back in but am not as young as I was then and noticing that perfectly executed technique is a lot more important than it was before. I was reading and watching a lot of stuff about the early days of BJJ and how Helio Gracie talked about how most people cannot lift a car but if they put a jack under the car it’s very easy to lift a car. His basic principle was to look at every position in jiu jitsu and find a way to apply a “jack” to each one. This idea has really started to make sense and I have been watching videos and thinking about what is creating the leverage. I keep thinking that assume I was a 90 lb female with a 220 lb guy holding me in mount or side control. How would I deal with that? Because what works for the strongest person won’t work for the weakest person, but what will work for the weakest person will always work for the strongest person. What you’re showing here is pure. Lifting the legs off the ground and turning your hips towards your opponent is the “jack” for successfully escaping side control and it’s really clear to see that when you showed it. Thank you.

[@zombies00711]

as a white belt, escaping side control is my biggest hurdle right now. this video was extremely helpful!

[@brucemcgraw7014]

As a blackbelt, excellent in detail and explanation. Keep up the good work

[@davidholt8074]

The detail of having the outside leg off the floor is something I've been struggling with an never known. Can't wait to try this next time I'm stuck under side!

[@bdupri25]

Definitely want to see more details for other side controls. This helped immensely. Cant wait to try

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Will film them soon buddy, happy you liked the video

[@BJJ_Richie]

Jon honestly that is the greatest detail I’ve ever seen of any position in BJJ , I mean this is danaher level detail 🙏

[@johnrichardson4177]

Your techniques are absolutely brilliant and so deliberate in every movement. Watching your videos have become an every day routine for me.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much, really happy to hear they have become such a foundation of your training habit!

[@The-Labbed-Life]

My weakest point at the moment exposed to a solution Love that! Thank you Jon, I love your videos!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hope it helps in the next class dealing with side control. Happy you have liked my videos so much!

[@melanievoltz9844]

Fantastic video. Thank you for this! The leg up in the air and hip jump was a game changer for me tonight.

[@SoytiTv]

Now i know one of the biggest reason why should i do that side shrimp.. thanks for the vid Jon!!

[@hadial-meraikhi582]

best Bjj channel out there definitely game changer for me ..thank you

[@MrStrongBro]

These are details I was never taught, it always goes overlooked. I’ve had some success with it over the past couple of months, transitioning to a clamp position and locking up a triangle. With that said, getting the initial side guard and framing to make space would still fail for me commonly, and now I know why. Thanks a ton Jon! 🙏

[@ryanpatterson3900]

This is delightful - you've explained so many sticking points for me. I was wondering why I kept lifting my posting leg off the ground against my instructor's wishes but I was explaining to him that it helped me get my knees to my chest. Seeing you do the movement really solidified this for me - thank you for this video!

[@hlopez3975]

I tend to accept having my guard pass and try working to get out. I needed this. This is such great technical breakdown of side control. Something that I definitely need to work on. Escaping side control has been the most difficult aspect of jiujitsu for me.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Me big thing is when you recognize it’s gonna happen just starting your frames early, a lot of people get all the way locked down without their frames then start thinking about escaping, but it’s a lot harder then. Just start focusing on the escape before the fully establish and it will be so much easier

[@loso2408]

@@JonThomasBJJ agreeed i tend to wait too long also ! Osss

[@mark1983peace]

This might be the best side control escape tutorial! More like this please...As a coach, I'd love to know the details from every position. Thanks for this video buddy!!

[@aaronjeter8523]

Excellent video! I am a 45-year-old white belt who has stayed in side control for the last two years, lol. I hope to use this tonight!

[@MZZ25]

very precise, important details that I've never thought of! It's really mind-blowing, these details could really make a great difference with my side control escape. Thank you Jon!

[@HamzaShams_]

This information is gold for a smaller guy like myself. Thanks for sharing, definitely will be studying this

[@babylikescoffee]

So many incredible details. Thank you for this!!

[@rvestner]

Really great video, just what I needed after getting stuck in side today. Thanks Jon!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem, hope it helps you get out next time!

[@robertlester4569]

This was great. Very helpful details. Looking for to future escape videos!

[@ninjashadow727]

Thank you Jon - I love the way you breakdown videos so concisely. This is an area I really needed some light shed on.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy! Doing my best to be clear and concise.

[@ainisarxipovas]

Thank you brother! Very amazing details 😎 I am becoming unstoppable now 🤙🏽

[@tomasmatta1419]

Such great content. I can't wait to be in side control and try out all these details.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hahah hopefully it helps you spend less time there in the future

[@MrJpurvis620]

Great details! Long time blue belt here, this video has a lot of small details that make a big difference

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot buddy! Yeah those details on lifting the other leg and how to frame your elbows are hugely important!

[@HarborSite-7]

As they say, the devil is in the details. And this video was as detailed and concise as I have seen on truly effective methods to escape side control. Excellent video Jon. 🙏

[@JohnnyRugged06]

Great details and nuanced understanding. Thank you.

[@medicineandbrazilianjiujit8511]

This is great stuff, Professor! I have never seen these little details before, much appreciated. Be well, always. Nikolas

[@sethschiele3218]

This is the best video I can find on side control defense as a new white belt!!!

[@koen2376]

Daaaaam some lovely rare details, love it! Curious about the other different side controls! Awesome content!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Will definitely be covering them soon!

[@MrJoshdude101]

Cheers, thanks for the details! To those bored and interested in checking out some beginner insta360 footage, I'm a blue belt sharing some from my local club. Also going to start releasing some stuff from a learner's perspective this year. ✌

[@huskylord123]

Fantastic video with so many critical aspects. Thank you for this. Much appreciated.

[@splintchesthair100]

Love the details, never seen leg off the mat detail before. Look forward to practicing this.

[@johnnylee8489]

Great details thank u

[@akadinhocosta]

Great content as always. It is amazing the way you systemize jiu jitsu. It makes very easy and understandable. Once understanding your point, the further development of a position/technique becomes natural. I really like the series you have made on grappler's guide. I personally would love to hear you talking more about ways of training smarter. Things like learning a technique backwards you have posted. Anyway, keep on the great work. Cheers

[@JonThomasBJJ]

I’m gonna start doing more content where I just discuss training ideas in front of the camera so I’m definitely gonna do some stuff about training smart really soon.

[@akadinhocosta]

@@JonThomasBJJ thank you for your reply and commitment. I am also registered on your website and watched all free courses you have and I am going to purchase your collar sleeve as well. I am a brown belt practitioner and I always seek for courses. I have a very large collection, but I am really impressed with the way you teach.

[@whateveritwasitis]

i too have watched many, and this is a first about the far hip or framing the head with elbow. i like this guys stuff

[@tejiriorugbo6431]

Awesome coaching . Much appreciated. 💪🏿👍🏿

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks a lot happy to help

[@Aceinthehole1179]

Sooooooo good as always! Exactly what I needed.

[@theno1glove]

What an amazing video. Brilliant tutoring

[@stephaneprevost_1967]

The leg up/kick trick will help me a lot. I needed that little adjustment in my tool kit. thx Peace.

[@Aaron-id8ue]

Thank you for answering the question I've had forever... "why does it continuously feel like my right and left legs are working against each other when I try to get my inside leg in to touch my knee?" Well.. because I'm keeping my other leg planted... THANK YOU!

[@judokapavel]

Great stuff as always! There's one following position I would love to see you tackling: knee on belly without the opponent lifting his body up. Basically, if I am the guy on top, I keep a tight control of opponent's upper body, but I slide my knee across his hip. From here, if he doesn't do anything, I am ready to mount, if he does, I can spin to north south with chokes or spin all the way taking arms for armbars etc. When I am the guy on bottom, there is an overload of threats from here. Seeing what would you do when on bottom would be great!

[@jlofty273]

Some awesome tips for side control defence. Thank you 🙏

[@symonkeeble]

Great Video, thank you for sharing 🙏looking forward to practicing this.🤙

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Hope it works well for you!

[@joepeezly]

Thank for making a great video about one of the most fundamental set of movements needed by all practitioners.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah this stuff matter so much gi or no gi and for all levels.

[@TheDurzaw]

so far best video i have seen for side control escape

[@christianmadden1301]

thats a really cool detail trying to block the far hip, thank you!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah that changes everything! Such a common mistake

[@philpoma2055]

Great details as always. Thank you!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy you found the details useful!

[@golddee2040]

You and Danaher really have explained the position very well. Personally, I find the run escape is far less energy consuming and it feels like less steps, but it probably isn't since it can absolutely create a scramble.

[@AnOnYmOuS-qo7dd]

Wow, another great detailed video. Thanks alot for these videos. Soild work!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem! Really happy you are enjoying them.

[@andyallen1943]

Wow! Lots of tips in that video. Thanks for posting.

[@smokewizard666]

Thank you! I’m forever stuck in side control

[@glitzandgratitude1170]

Love it. Such great detail!

[@Eduardo-tq5sk]

Thank you prfe Thomas!

[@justinmiller1535]

Hey!! Side control escape video!! Thanks for this Jon Thomas!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help!

[@davidcondit388]

These details are gold! Thanks!

[@stephenrogalla2108]

Great breakdown I get stuck here a lot these little pointers go a long way

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks buddy! The little details make all the difference!

[@jonevans870]

Oh my god did I need this video. Thanks Jon!

[@jujigatame4800]

Really well explained and easy to understand, thanks dude - subscribed!

[@kmills116]

You are such an amazing teacher. Thank you!

[@ptroncom]

So grateful! Outstanding video, so useful. Thank you so much

[@jonathancaverly6477]

I like how you explain the mechanics of the techniques. Thanks 🤙

[@JonThomasBJJ]

No problem happy to help!

[@NjBerber]

Great content. As a white belt, I always felt like why can't I get the knee in. Now I know why: I leave my other leg always on the mat ... thx! Keep it going

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah that other leg on floor detail is a complete game changer. Hope this makes the difference for you!

[@sigilmovement]

Excellent quality of instruction. Subbed!

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much!

[@jasond6602]

Thanks again. You're an amazing professor.

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Thanks so much buddy!

[@raeban7295]

👍you have so much delicious content, I have to pace myself. For the next couple days I will rewatch this video and work on my escape. I will not be greedy

[@Ryaninsanity]

This is gem. Thanks for teaching

[@funnyanimals5721]

Absolutely brilliant video! Thank you

[@AlhamdulillahAkhi]

Thanks for this incredible breakdown. I feel like side control is worse for me than even being under mount, it's so claustrophobic. Will try this as best I can next time I roll

[@JonThomasBJJ]

Yeah get the correct frames in early makes it so much easier! Claustrophobic panic is pretty normal under a tight side control you get used to it as you train more.

[@javiazar]

ohhhhhhhhh so THAT'S what I've been doing wrong (everything... literally everything)

[@myoschollum7722]

Thanks Jon, great teaching

[@alouahemmsabah]

Finally, now it all makes sense :) thank you

[@tehletkhan3511]

beautiful details... thanks coach