Finishing a BJJ fight can get complicated. Countless passes, submissions, and positions exist in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Nonetheless, side control is one position that will almost always lead to a victory when you use it properly. So let’s see which submissions you should use to finish from side control.
The best submission from side control in BJJ is the Kimura. However, many others will help you gain more victories, such as the Loop choke, Americana, Straight arm lock, Spinning armbar, and Triangle choke. You can use these from the side control position to start winning more BJJ fights.
I have decided to try a learning method to help you learn these submissions faster. I recommend bookmarking this article if you want to know all 11 submissions properly (and perfect them). You want to have this big resource in your bookmarks so you can return to it.
You then read each submission individually and follow the link to the complete guide I wrote one each submission. The next step is to master the submission and then return to this article to master the next one. And so on.
Alright, enough introduction: I want you to start working already! So, here’s #11, Loop choke from the side control position. (#1 is the most effective, #2 after it, and so on.)
#11 – Loop choke
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loop choke | 6/10 | 6/10 | 6/10 |
The Loop choke is one of my favorite BJJ submissions. It utilizes looping the opponent to create pressure around his neck.
The primary variation I’m familiar with is this one from side control. Once you attain side control, you can start to execute it. Now, most grapplers don’t know how to defend against it, as it’s not something you’ll learn unless you’re preparing for it specifically.
Without further introduction: here’s how to perform the Loop choke from side control:
- Start in side control
- Circle your arm around his head
- Grab his collar with the same hand
- Wrap your other arm around his hand
- Move in the direction of his head
- Move your fingers upward
- Apply pressure
- Wait for the tap
You’ll see how much pressure he can get on the opponent by looping around him. You must ensure you loop all the way through to force the opponent to tap out by applying extreme pressure on his neck.
Do know that it can be a deadly choke. You’ll be applying high levels of pressure. So, amp up your focus levels when you apply it to see how the opponent reacts and release all pressure when he taps out.
I do have a complete guide about the Loop choke. In it, I break it down completely, so make sure to read it to learn more!
#10 – Baseball choke
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball choke | 5/10 | 7/10 | 6/10 |
The Baseball choke is a move many grapplers aren’t aware of. However, it can be deadly when you’re in side control. You can definitely learn it first, as it’s straightforward to execute.
There is a caveat with the Baseball choke, however. You can only use it effectively when you’re fighting with Gis on. I did see a few variations that utilize the same motion but with No-Gi, and I must say that I wouldn’t list the No-Gi variation on this list.
Here’s how to perform the Baseball choke from the side control position:
- Start in side control
- Grab his collar while inserting your thumb inside
- Grab the same collar with your other hand
- Shift your weight and stand up
- Twist your body inward
- Apply pressure by twisting
- Twist your hands, each in another direction
- Wait for the tap
I recommend learning the Baseball choke if you want to learn a practical and creative submission that utilizes the opponent’s Gi.
It will surprise many of your opponents if you perfect your execution. So, make sure to start practicing if you want to perform it flawlessly and start winning more fights.
And, if you want to learn about the Baseball choke and how to perform it better, follow this link.
#9 – Americana
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Americana | 9/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
The Americana is one of the most accessible submissions to execute. Now, some submissions aren’t as effective against higher-level grapplers. But they can still be simple.
I’m a fan of the Americana because it’s simple and effective against novice and advanced grapplers. You can finish a fight very quickly by performing it effectively. Nevertheless, the Americana has many variations you can start to learn to amp up your grappling game.
Here’s my favorite variation of the Americana from the side control position:
- Start in side control
- Grab his wrist
- Grab your wrist while wrapping the opponent’s arm
- Make sure your other arm is parallel to his arm
- Pull his arm in
- Twist your wrists
- Pull his elbow down
- Apply pressure until the tap
Performing it really isn’t hard. And still, it can seem not very comforting for the more novice grapplers. What you need to ensure is that you understand the finishing mechanism.
It’s essentially a 3-step process. You first want to pull your arm in; then, you twist your wrists, and the final step is to pull your elbow down. These 3-steps will allow you to apply extreme amounts of pressure onto the opponent’s arm, forcing him to tap out quickly.
And, if you want to read a complete breakdown of the Americana (including more variations), follow this link.
#8 – Bread cutter choke
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bread cutter choke | 6/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
The Bread cutter choke is a highly effective submission in BJJ. You can create extreme amounts of pressure with your hands to ensure the opponent taps out and gives you the win.
This submission isn’t as hard to execute as many other submissions. However, it can be pretty easy to make minor mistakes that will loosen the choke and allow the opponent to escape and go on the offensive.
Here’s how to perform the Bread cutter choke from side control:
- Start in side control
- Grab the opponent’s collar
- Put your forearm on his throat
- Grab his other collar by removing your hand from your underhook
- Pull and drop your arm to tighten the choke
- Wait for the tap
The primary mistake novice grapplers make is grabbing the collar loosely. Likewise, not grabbing it deep enough. You want to ensure your grip is firm so you can perform the choke tight and win the fight.
Follow this link to learn everything about the Bread Cutter Choke.
#7 – Lapel choke
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lapel choke | 5/10 | 9/10 | 7/10 |
The Lapel choke is a highly effective submission you can use from side control. However, there’s something special about it that most grapplers aren’t even aware possible: you can use your own Gi to choke the opponent.
You’ll, of course, need to set it up. But, it can be relatively straightforward to learn and execute, primarily if you built a solid basis by learning other submissions, such as the Kimrua, Armbar, and Triangle.
Here’s how to perform the Lapel choke from side control:
- Start from side control
- Insert your hand below the opponent’s head
- Create space to open your Gi
- Set your Gi below the opponent’s hand
- Grab your Gi with your other hand (the one below his head)
- Pull the Gi back
- Control his hips
- Turn into the north-south position
- Lean forward to apply pressure forward
- Wait for the tap out
I’m a fan of the Lapel choke because it utilizes your clothing to finish a fight. In addition, it teaches us plenty about our martial arts opportunities (especially BJJ.)
I encourage you to aspire to be more creative in your BJJ journey. Then, you’ll be able to win more fights and advance through the belts faster.
Follow this link to learn everything about the Lapel Choke.
#6 – Triangle choke
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle choke | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Like the Guillotine choke (which we’ll review further), everyone knows the Triangle choke submission. Even if you’re not training in any martial art that teaches it, such as Jiu-Jitsu, you probably have heard of it at some point in your life.
Why is that, one may ask? Well, in short, it’s because it’s so effective! In addition, it’s not as hard to learn, making it even more attractive to both new and advanced practitioners.
The Triangle choke utilizes pressure from your legs (in a triangle shape.) The pressure you apply will be around the opponent’s neck, preventing blood and air from circulating to his brain. Therefore, you can use a lethal submission to force someone to tap out quickly.
Here’s how to perform the Triangle choke when you have side control:
- Start in side control
- Isolate the opponent’s arm
- Stick the other arm on his belly
- Shift your weight to the opponent’s head
- Lift his head up
- Go around in one motion with your leg and around his neck
- Bring your other knee to your foot
- Lock the Triangle
- Apply pressure and wait for the tap
The Triangle choke holds many variations. That’s why I recommend following the link down below to start learning and mastering it quickly. You want to avoid the newbie mistakes most grapplers make when performing it. These mistakes prevent them from winning more BJJ rolls and competitions.
So yeah, that’s just the tip of the fork. You can follow the link to learn more about the Triangle choke and how to perform it without any mistakes.
#5 – Wrist lock
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrist Lock | 10/10 | 6/10 | 8/10 |
Wrist locks are incredibly effective. But that’s not what helped them rank in this position, as they’re not as effective against more advanced grapplers. So, why did I rank wristlocks so far down the list? The primary reason is its simplicity.
Wrist locks are the simplest submission from side control. They’re also effective since you can perform them from all positions, including closed guard, mount, and standing. In addition, they utilize wrist pressure (in any direction) to force the opponent to submit.
Wrist locks are a submission you should learn first. However, it has countless variations you can learn and master.
The primary guideline to follow is to open your brain and get creative. You want to surprise your opponent (being unexpected.) You don’t want your opponent to be one step ahead. Instead, you want to stay in control by being as unexpected as possible.
Here are the steps to perform the wrist lock from side control:
- Start in side control
- Control the opponent’s arm
- Rotate one of the hands
- Apply wrist pressure (either inward or outward)
- Wait for the tap out
There isn’t much to add about this submission besides emphasizing its simplicity and dynamic nature. However, I recommend reading the article I link to in the next paragraph to learn more about this simple yet effective BJJ grappling move.
Mastering the wrist lock isn’t as hard as other BJJ submissions. Follow the link to learn about more wrist lock variations.
#4 – Guillotine choke
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guillotine choke | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Every grappler has heard of the Guillotine choke at some point in his journey. This choke is one of the most effective grappling techniques you’ll stumble upon. Moreover, it’s a practical and applicable technique for all positions.
And it can be highly effective from side control, too.
You want to start in side control and underhook the opponent’s triceps. You can continue by wrapping your hands around his neck with your biceps down (not up). The final step is to lock your hands together while squeezing and pushing your elbow down. Wait for the tap and release pressure.
The Guillotine choke is extremely effective. However, it can cause your opponent to go unconscious quickly. As a result, you want to pay extra attention when you’re executing it on someone.
- Start in side control
- Underhook the opponent’s triceps
- Wrap your hands (biceps facing down) around his neck
- Lock your hands
- Squeeze your hands
- Push your elbow down
- Apply more and more pressure
- Wait for the tap
The Guillotine choke is one of BJJ’s most effective submissions. If you want to learn more about the Guillotine and how to perform it perfectly, follow the link.
#3 – Spinning Armbar
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spinning Armbar | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
The 3rd submission we’ll review is the Spinning Armbar. It’s one of my personal favorites because of a single thing, the surprise element.
Most grapplers won’t expect you to go for the Spinning Armbar, as it’s a less popular variation of the Armbar. Thus, it can be very effective against more advanced grapplers, who might expect you to go for the more popular moves, such as the Kimura (which we’ll review soon.)
The Spinning Armbar utilizes down pressure to submit the opponent. First, you want to start in side control and wrap your hands around the opponent’s elbow. Then, you want to start moving toward the opponent’s side while turning to your side. The final step is to apply down pressure and wait for the tap.
- Start in side control
- Wrap your hands around the opponent’s arm
- Pull his arm up
- Push the opponent’s head down
- Step above the opponent while turning
- Apply downward pressure
- Wait for the tap
The Armbar is one of BJJ’s most effective submissions. Therefore, you want to learn it as one of your first submissions, especially if you will see more success from the side control position.
There’s more to learn about this wonderful submission. Unfortunately, you can make many mistakes that will prevent you from seeing success with it. So, follow the link below to learn how to perform the Armbar flawlessly.
Follow the link to read a complete guide I wrote about the Armbar (in many variations.) I break down all the steps in the article, so I recommend reading it.
#2 – Straight Arm Lock
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Arm Lock | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
The Straight Arm Lock is one of BJJ’s significant moves. If you attend a solid grappling gym, you’ll learn this submission as one of your first ones, as it’s practical and will allow you to build a solid foundation moving forward.
There are many potential mistakes you can make with this submission. That’s why I encourage you to read the complete guide I wrote about the Straight Arm Lock by following the link at the end of this section.
The primary guideline is to apply down pressure on the opponent’s straight arm. You first want to start in side control and wrap your arm around his elbow. Then, you grab his wrist and lean to the side. You can finish the submission by applying down pressure and waiting for the tap from that point.
- Start in side control
- Wrap the opponent’s arm by the elbow
- Turn and lean, making his arm straight
- Grab his wrist with your other hand
- Apply pressure downward
- Wait for the tap
A common mistake many novice grapplers make is applying side pressure. You want to avoid that since applying down pressure can cause more pressure and damage.
It really is one of BJJ’s most effective submissions, especially from side control. With this finish, you can get many people, even more, advanced grapplers. So, make sure to learn it properly by watching the video and reading the complete guide I link below.
Follow the link to read a complete guide about the Straight Arm Lock.
#1 – Kimura
| Submission | Simplicity | Effectiveness | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kimura | 10/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
The Kimura is one of BJJ’s most effective submissions. Of course, you can perform it in different variations, such as from the guard and mount. But, from my experience, it’s also the most effective submission from the side control position. Here’s why:
The Kimura utilizes arm pressure to submit the opponent. It’s incredibly effective because it’s hard to defend against, especially if performed flawlessly. Likewise, it’s not as hard to learn as other BJJ submissions, such as the Spinning Armbar.
You can use the Kimura against grapplers at all levels. You can submit your opponent with this move from side control, even if he’s much more advanced than you.
But, you must perfect the small details. So, here are the basic steps to perform the Kimura perfectly. Likewise, I encourage you to follow the link at the end of this section to read about a complete breakthrough of the steps.
- Establish side control
- Bring your hand under the opponent’s arm
- Use your head to pinch his arm down
- Your other hand grabs his wrist
- Lock your arms together
- Twist to the side of his head
- Apply side pressure with both hands
- Wait for the tap out
But that’s just a brief walkthrough of the Kimura. If you want to perform the Kimura flawlessly, follow the link.
What to do from side control BJJ
Alright, now that you have side control, you can start to think about finishing the fight. However, before you do that, you want to have a comprehensive toolbox that you can pull techniques and use (with muscle memory.) That’s key to winning more fights, especially at the higher levels.
Once you got side control in BJJ, either by passing the opponent’s guard or getting the dominant position, your next step should be getting on the offensive. Thus, you want to start executing a specific submission (or a few.) For instance, you can go for the Kimura and the Americana.
My favorite attacks include the potential of a few submissions. For example, many offensive moves will allow you to execute the Kimura, Americana, and sometimes even the Armbar (in one of its variations.)
So, these will give you more options while limiting the opponent, as he won’t know what to defend from.
The primary guideline is to stay on the offensive while minimizing the chance of you being vulnerable.
Which submission is the easiest from side control in BJJ?
The easiest submission from side control is the Americana. After gaining side control, this technique has a few simple steps: controlling the opponent’s arm, wrapping your hands around it, and applying pressure until the tap. You can get into this position in a few seconds, making this submission easy & effective.
What submission is the best from side control?
The Kimura is the best submission from side control, as it’s both effective and simple. In addition, you can use it in various submissions and offensive means, such as going for the triple threat attack (Americana, Kimura, and Armbar.) That’s why it can be both effective and unexpected, making it more applicable.
There’s no going wrong with the Kimura. Let’s assume you did something wrong, and now the opponent has escaped your Kimura grip. It’s really not that bad as, let’s say, trying another submission and failing.
Other submissions will leave you more vulnerable than dominant if you fail them. However, you can still regain control if the opponent escapes your Kimura grip.
Likewise, this submission is easy to learn and execute. It won’t be long until you’re capable of using it in real BJJ fights. As a result, you can learn it right now, whether you’re a white or a black belt. So, give it a try.
Some of you may wonder about the difference between the Kimura and the Americana and why they’re ranked so differently. Although I have a complete article about it on my website, in short: You can access the Kimura from more positions, making it more viable even if you get turned over from side control.
Now, let’s wrap up this article.
Final words
Finishing from side control doesn’t have to be difficult. You can learn these fundamental moves to make sure you finish BJJ fights from this position every time.
I encourage you to learn each technique separately. It’ll be best not to work on them simultaneously. Instead, learn one and practice it until it feels comfortable. You can go through each, and you’ll become a much better grappler at the end of this journey.
The best way to learn with the resource I’ve built here is by using it as an outline for your learning journey. So, bookmark this article and return to it to learn each technique. Then, read all the complete guides of each technique in this article to ensure you master each one and start finishing from side control all the time.
Sometimes, attaining side control can be more difficult than finishing from this position. One way you can do it is by bypassing the opponent’s guard. I won’t reveal too much. But if you want to learn about BJJ’s most effective guard passes, follow the link!