Stop Getting Smashed in Side Control as a BJJ White Belt (Try This)

[@Algebrodadio]

The honesty is real. You've been training 6 weeks and a you're gettin' smashed by a 200lb purple belt? You'd better get used to it. Because this is your life for the forseeable future.

[@KeepingItDutch]

Grugknuckle haha agreed

[@JediNiyte]

I started training 7 months ago, and you could NOT be more correct. My favorite training partner is a 270 lb blue belt who powerlifts. After rolling with him, everyone else's side control is a BREEZE.

[@sphericalwave]

@@JediNiyte your favourite training partner?

[@spookyboi317]

@@sphericalwave no, his favorite* training partner

[@stupidandboot4507]

@@sphericalwave British spelling I think. Honor is spelled honour over there

[@hard2hurt]

I live in side control... I'm an old slow tiny white belt. Maybe I can finally move out.

[@khairuleven]

lmaaaoooooo..i never heard anyone say it like that

[@wpbqbanito]

Best comment...lol. I’m gonna steal your line.

[@nicocontreras5366]

Great comment and nice way to see it.

[@counterkidnapping1737]

Mike There are a lot of side control escape. You can watch Tristar Gym, Stephan Kesting, TrachMeGrappling, and this. Which one is the simplest and fastest?

[@andrewmaher8409]

Ha ha, same. Rolling is 5 minutes of trying to survive in the side control of someone who is often twice my weight and half my age.... My non BJJ friends think I’m an idiot. I’m not 100% sure they are wrong.

[@808BJJ_Black_Belt]

All White Belts get smashed it’s part of your journey enjoy it and learn.

[@nolaanderson8770]

better to HATE getting smashed, learn, and improve

[@realone9372]

Smesh - Khamzat chimaev

[@sailorm79]

6 year purple belt here about to work on my iron squirl!

[@Guy-wl8jk]

The inspiration is real here.

[@gregrichardson7398]

I just started two half months ago at 53 years young.. Loving it.. Was very intimidating at first but I have already learned a few sweep's and have gotten ok at my takedowns.. I'm not hardly tapping out anymore.. But still having hard time summiting others .. Love it. Just got to be patient and ready to be humbled..a lot ..a lot . I love my. I love my Brazilian jiu-jitsu family.

[@formersomethingsomething3273]

Heya all! Tried out the 'Iron squirrel' and gotta say it works like a charm, such a small adjustment did a huge difference for my half guard. Cheers Chewie!

[@Chewjitsu]

Excellent! Happy to hear it brother!

[@SS3213gsdf]

nice

[@erikmmccray]

You had me at iorn squirrel!

[@blastosist]

I will try this , I have been getting smashed by Fat-Jitsu.

[@Cheeseyman]

😂💀

[@laurentdemeur689]

Discovering your channel! You amazing! I am a white belt who started 3 months ago, learning so much from your philosophy.

[@ejneal07]

Such a helpful tip, can't wait to try it! I've been a white belt now for 6 months, but just started live rolling in intermediate 3 weeks ago, and have found myself stuck in side control a LOT. Love the simplicity of just practicing this technique before even moving on to the escape. Thank you!

[@Chewjitsu]

You're welcome Ellen! Hope it helps.

[@dirtymoney8278]

This has been happening to me a lot, and it's the worst. But tomorrow I'll be a little better. Thanks man!

[@richie1713]

Just saved this one. I really cop it in side control so this could hopefully be a game changer. Thank you sir.

[@demansou88]

Love it. I'm constantly getting smashed by blue belts and white belts with wrestling experience to the point where I'm having to fight so much harder. Going to start focusing on this when the inevitable happens and I get guard passed

[@shrimuyopa8117]

When I started six months ago I watched this technique from Chewy and it works. It might not work the first few times, but watch the video after you roll and give it a few tries and it will sink in with time.

[@retro6652]

Thanks for the great vids Chewy! My first roll was against a 230lb. blue belt (vs. my 160lbs.) who got me in side control on my back. GAME OVER. Also, IRON SQUIRREL T-SHIRT NOW NOW NOW!

[@B-Killin]

RetroDaddy I would also pay good money for Iron Squirrel technique tee shirt. Obviously being demonstrated by a squirrel.

[@sebastianaguirre8726]

Greetings from Chile Chewy! Last night i tried this on training and worked smooth and effective, so thank you a lot.

[@Chewjitsu]

You're welcome.

[@kineticmc7743]

Side control bottom is where i get stuck the most. I roll with alot of strong wrestlers who favor the crossface. This is going to help me in future rolls. Thank you Chewie! 😃 oss!

[@AllBikesGreatAndSmall]

First roll in 11 years yesterday and found myself straight back in side control that I couldn't get out of. Gonna give this a try next week.

[@bigguyjits]

One of the best channels for BJJ. Nice clean, partical jits. Fun stuff. Thank you!

[@joetyrrell1483]

Hang in there Daniel I’m there with you bro. Getting on my side is key.

[@angelmontero6624]

Thank you Master. I will try this from now on, i hate to be smashed in side control, yesterday rolling i had to tap for the pressure on my chest.

[@samgrafton1455]

This iron squirrel posture made for an effective setup to a heismen escape. Worked like that THREE times in one open mat hour.

[@martinpratchett]

Love what you're saying. I'm going to try this in my next class. Just started going to bjj, already pretty experienced in standup fighting. Incredible how fast I get beaten on the ground by guys who've only been going a few months. Love the learning experience. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@gerrybarone5434]

I love that you still call this the iron squirrel

[@choccymilk8845]

Man I know how this guy feels, I'm barely 127lbs and I'll be going against people like 3 times stronger than me weighing around 200lbs and there are no guys around my weight level but I've gotten a bit better and now I can actually submit them and one thing that I'm pretty good at is keeping even blue and purple belts in my closed guard granted though after they finally get out I'll get a bit killed but all in good fun

[@thebloodytruth326]

You still training?

[@oldman9606]

Bro. I really enjoy the videos. Im 44 and wrestled in high school. Joined the Navy at 35. Did some jbjj in sicly but the language barrier was to much. Moving to San Diego soon. Looking to get involved in a club. Can't wait to roll.

[@billyblake4291]

Man! Thank you for this!

[@JH-hx2cl]

I love that initial answer. "Theres not a damn thing you can do about it." lmaoi

[@ootsam]

I’m going to start making squirrel noises while rolling.

[@leroybrown549]

When this video started, Chewie took the worlds right out of my mouth. I’m a blue belt been doing bjj for 2 & a half years and still have a hard time getting out of side control lol.

[@nj12344]

😂😂 same

[@BrikBeans]

Thanks chewie, I love you! been putting together my own full contact game plan based on your template. my plan A is keep it standing lol

[@gregman1969]

Definetely trying that out. Thanks Man.

[@nolaanderson8770]

How could anyone NOT click an IRON SQUIRREL video? 🐿🐿

[@ethiopiansickness]

How do I ask you questions? Do you have an inbox or something?

[@ariisopoussu7381]

Really good video! thank you chief! :)

[@James.M.S]

Great information. Great way of explaining. Definitely subscribing to this channel

[@TheDiolulaLife]

I just got smashed by my professor in side control, I will definitely try this “iron squirrel” easy to remember. Thank you chewie!!

[@cunn1n6ham]

Another awesome video chew jitsu! Your videos are an example of what’s right about you tube...keep being you 🥋🔥

[@HS-uk2kr]

Great video!

[@Loopedtime]

Training in an hour. Iron squirrel I’ll remember. Thanks for the video.

[@athay1397]

I figured out my own version to this but im upgrading to the iron squirrel 👍🏼

[@AmericanNomad1983]

Thank you for this video! I am new to BJJ and have the same problem.

[@charliecrome207]

Still training?

[@shootits48]

Awesome, this is making me think, thanks!

[@bigsmokez6996]

As my coach calls it...barney the dinosaur ( short arm frame ) and Stephen hawkings ( head to the mat to protect the neck ) helped me remember it anyway hahaha

[@wadeedwards6194]

Your videos are so great, i study them like a nun studies the gospel

[@nicocontreras5366]

Great video and rashguard.

[@zagenosystem634]

really helpful stuff here man... thanks

[@theundead1600]

Nice vid. It also exhibits great efficiency too.

[@errcoche]

That is what I tell our crushed WBs so I am glad I am on the right track. They tend to look at me in disbelief when I tell them to do this. I also tell them that if they can't think of anything else to do, grab one of my arms with both hands and don't let it go. Disrupt, disrupt, disrupt.

[@zachdarr7605]

Getting out of side control is the most important thing I can study right now.

[@johnsuzy98]

Thanks, Chewy!🤙🏻🥋

[@thedude2122]

First no gi class tomorrow wish me luck

[@Stormtype25]

Almost a year passed lol, still training?

[@AllKindzzzz]

@@Stormtype25 I hope he is. Everyone should do a bit of bjj.

[@Stormtype25]

@@AllKindzzzz agreed.

[@AveryBlueRemix]

You a blue belt yet?

[@tinkywinky3680]

Macho Rouge I’m guessing he isn’t....no response!

[@brysonz]

Great advice!

[@irshadmohammed6539]

Matt thornton was calling this the stone squirrel 10 years ago

[@RonSavage01]

Chewy can you do a video on injuries and injury prevention? I pulled a muscle in my lower back. I'm pretty sure it was repeatedly drilling standing up to break my opponents closed guard over the course of a week. I've missed a week of class so far and it's killing me I can't go. When is it ok to go back? How could I have prevented this? I'm a white belt, been to about 20 classes...

[@marceldouwstra5847]

Good question.. injuries can really screw up your development.

[@markhill8150]

Warm up and stretch better.

[@hard2hurt]

Are you selective with your training partners?

[@RonSavage01]

hard2hurt No, the professor usually pairs us up. I think part of it is I'm 6'4", so to posture up in someone's guard, I have quite a way to go. The week it happened, we spent all week working on sweeps that depended on not letting them completely posture up. So I spent a lot of time bent over with someone hanging on me in their guard basically.

[@hard2hurt]

Ryan Brown yeah so at that tall it's probably similar to trouble that really tall guys have with deadlift. It requires much more stress and mobility for you to get into that position than it does for me at 5'5"

[@bengough6955]

Lol week 2 BJJ and I tried this constantly last night. Man am I sore, feel totally beaten up but it did help lol. Now need to practice getting out etc

[@bjjraiz]

Muito bom irmão, excelente dica pra controle do amasso por baixo nos 100kg. Algo que ajuda bastante tbm é saber fugir o quadril, tirando as costas do chão! Osssssss

[@pullingguard5435]

Always helpful!!!

[@gussk8e]

Yess. From now on, I won’t get turned into a pretzel from side control or get a knee placed on my soul

[@meekrodriguez6438]

Great videos

[@rw1557]

First of all their are a lot of side control details that get overlooked. Thats why when I see "side control escape" videos I wait to see if details are addressed because some escapes will only work depending on them. Where are the persons hands? Am I seatbelted under the neck and shoulder (tlotally commited and to me the worst hand position to have) Are they manipulating my neck position? Am I carrying their weight? Are they on their knees (stupid unless your working for mount, knee on belly or leg locks), belly down? On their toes (happy feet and mobile)? or sitting out posted. What is their hip position in comparison to mine? Higher, lower, is their space? My opinion is details are the important thing to focus on both defensively and offensively

[@uipize]

and i never understand when im suppossed to do what (offensive/deffensiv)

[@jimteahan6446]

i walked into the BJJ gym a month ago. I'm 64. I'm just getting destroyed. Every time. Guard easily passed, chokes galore, knee bars, arm bars, ankle locks, sweeps galore, reversals, etc. I don't have any offensive moves. I'm totally defensive-and not very good at it. This is really hard. Very discouraging. I keep hoping I'll learn something to keep these guys off me. They are purple belts but still…I keep trying. It amazes me how useless my 7th degree kenpo karate is that I've done for 20 years. Not feeling very good right now. I've wasted so much time.

[@jnwoodard8764]

For this to work you have to scream “IRON SQUIRREL!”

[@dougreviewstheuniverse9082]

Thank you

[@chazagameshd6705]

And if you do this and maybe learn the revers triangle from bottom or omoplata it can help alot

[@bane3991]

A white belt shouldn't even be attempting omaplatas on blues/purples. White belts need to learn how to crawl before they learn how to walk.

[@georgeatcherson7260]

Awesome video

[@death2denemy]

Man.. Gotdang it.. Ive been training for a week.. and im constantly getting smashed by a 200 pounder who is also kinda new.. I just cant breathe when im on the ground and all this weight is descending on me.. and im not a small guy either.. im probably around 180 lbs.. I also get smashed by a blue belt with around the same weight as I, but i can understand that.. he's a blue belt.. but this "kinda new guy"?? Man.. he doesnt even need to do anything.. just puts his weight on me and im gone.. Gotdang it!!

[@Chewjitsu]

You're probably over exerting yourself if you can't breathe. Try slowing down and taking a deep breath when you get stuck in tight positions.

[@joehale2246]

Hey bro I'm a white belt got about 20 classes in so far and this guy is killing me with his grips,and sweaps,even when I'm in his guard any tips would be awesome.

[@bane3991]

Something that helped me a lot was focusing on breaking grips at all costs. I learned grips are everything in jiu jitsu.

[@joehale2246]

Bane thank you I'll focus on that tonight in class

[@pivotdudee]

i'm a 200lbs white belt doing side control for the first time. I'm against people who have up to 45lbs on me and at least a colour belt ahead of me. I'm getting rekt and hoping this helps

[@Mike-wh7nf]

I needed to see this video

[@Hunter-js8fs]

Liked for the "Iron Squirrel" tip

[@paulvalachovic6393]

Nice!

[@lewisb85]

Wonder if you could armbar from that position? There's a self defense armbar that ive been taught that i can't remember the name of that starts from a similar position.

[@The8BitHero]

As a brand new lanky 118lb white belt, this is going to be a steep hill to climb lol

[@maliquewilliams86]

omg the two minute black belt commercial, stop playing !!

[@B-Killin]

I just saw the thumbnail while searching for vids and busted out laughing.

[@dougreviewstheuniverse9082]

Keep in mind that some of the best people you will every roll with are 125lbs. don't let size be an excuse honestly there are some amazing small ninjas out there. Every size has pros and cons.

[@sunwukong4629]

Yo Chewy for the last year I've secretly become the Iron Squirrel works beautiful

[@lorensaunders5772]

THE IRON SQUIRREL!!!! LOL AWESOME.

[@Sun_Fire_2]

Iron squirrel, I like it, conveys the concept very well.

[@jacksparr0w300]

People use this squirl technique on me! Ive been scouring youtube on how to crush this squirrel technique.

[@Drejitsu316]

I used this in my last class, this REALLY helped, didn't get submitted

[@renicawili7555]

I need some side control defense for soon roll with my coach.😁😑😬😂😂

[@jordanadney7251]

Hey chewy! I’ve been training for almost a year and I’ve always struggled with getting a partner for drilling/rolling. I have very bad anxiety and I struggle with talking to people even my own friends in and outside the gym. I’m very light so I struggle to find partners my size and I’m always left with the big sweaty guys and it’s just not fun. This is more of a mental health question but I was just wondering if you had any tips on what I should do in my situation.

[@vittocrazi]

You should get your anxiety treated...

[@3rduncle]

I bet the difference between now and a year ago is night and day. Am I right? You're already doing what you need to do. You just need to keep doing it.

[@simplybeef8232]

Dude im on my sixth week aswell and at 160 and same problem for me

[@Aaron-id8ue]

I’m sensing a lot of strained tricep tendons 😅

[@jamietherooster]

some say ..... that phone is still sliding

[@AVTBJJ]

Wouldn't they just pin your knees to the ground then take your back? I don't mean to sound ignorant

[@ForzaTerra89]

Do you have any escapes from scarf hold/Kesa Gatame

[@mislearned_salamander]

My new god is the iron squirrel. I will pray to him.

[@Chewjitsu]

Praise his nuttiness

[@dickiemcgeezaks9579]

Does the iron squirrel work from half guard too?

[@andrewezpeleta1154]

hey Chewy what is the best way to pass someone who has a strong closed guard?

[@wsmaga]

Very nice, i can def use this against guys 40+ pounds heavier than me.

[@wolverinekut]

Today i' m gonna try this t...... 🤙

[@adilbekramadan2038]

Perfect 🖒👍

[@seanbarker9272]

That poor poor phone

[@allaboutinstructionaldesig1183]

Great tutorial. Will the darce choke work against the iron squirrel defense?

[@Chewjitsu]

Depends on the person darce choking. :) It's not the easiest position for a Darce choke to come.

[@itzcheezy6693]

I want that chewy it’s shirt

[@Philo68]

It’s a ‘one cheek on the floor’ game. P.S. I still get passed - even with my ‘one cheek metallic rodent’ game!

[@oscarchavezmoriera5802]

Cheat codes for WHITE BELTS!!!!!