Side control is a dominant position where you establish control over a grounded opponent while staying perpendicular to them. This position offers strong upper-body control while allowing mobility to transition into other dominant positions or set up attacks.

A key principle of side control is applying pressure in a way that limits your opponent’s movement while keeping yourself mobile enough to react to escapes. Proper weight distribution, controlling their head and hips, and staying one step ahead of their attempts to recover are essential elements of a strong side control game.

While side control is a powerful position, it is not inherently stable—opponents will constantly seek to escape or recover their guard. A skilled grappler maintains control by adjusting their posture, anticipating movement, and using positional transitions to keep their advantage. Mastery of side control is essential for both maintaining control and setting up further offensive actions.