Is there a way to practice base in side mount?

**Yohan** · Posted On: 5/12/2008 3:42pm

Originally Posted by UpaLumpa

I would disagree with this to a degree. Knowing how to get and keep position is a key skill. Obviously camping out with a guy pinned for a minute or two isn't the most important skill but if you don't know who to control someone positionally, you're going to end up diving for subs you've already lost.

When I started, one of the guys told me to not even bother trying for subs for several months. Get position down first.

Absolutely - being able to lock someone down and hold them in that position is integral for a good BJJist

**Abusivemelon** · Posted On: 5/12/2008 5:02pm

Technique has been covered, just going to pick you up on this point.

"I even get side on a blue for like 10 seconds"

This is most likely the blue belt practicing from inferior positions and not a testament to your skills. Not trying to be a dick, we had a thread recently talking about how beginners would see themselves as better than they were due to not being dominated by people of greater skill.

**Goju - Joe** · Posted On: 5/12/2008 5:27pm

Originally Posted by UpaLumpa

I would disagree with this to a degree. Knowing how to get and keep position is a key skill. Obviously camping out with a guy pinned for a minute or two isn't the most important skill but if you don't know who to control someone positionally, you're going to end up diving for subs you've already lost.

When I started, one of the guys told me to not even bother trying for subs for several months. Get position down first.

I find that if I go from guard to half guard, to side, to north south, to mount and then back to side again by the time I get the second side control I have it in real tight and low on the guy.

This might be more due to weighing 207 and having squashed them with it for a minute or two as I transition on them thus tiring them out.

On the other hand I just discovered I have my hand position wrong on the collar and haven't been locking them down as well as I should from side.

**UpaLumpa** · Posted On: 5/12/2008 6:04pm

If you're setting position properly, you're setting position properly.
In part it depends on what type of game you want to develop (e.g. floating versus crushing). However, if you're unclear on even how to keep position you probably shouldn't be worrying about developing a particular game yet.

**Ryno** · Posted On: 5/12/2008 6:06pm

If they are re-gaining their guard, you are leaving too much space and not blocking their hips. Put a knee right next to their upper thigh, or post an arm there to block them from spinning into you and inserting a knee across. Most likely they will need to shrimp as well, and you've got to keep good grips and enough weight on them to keep them from shrimping and making space. But blocking with a knee or posted arm should give you that time to make your adjustments without them immediately regaining guard.

If they are stiff arming you with the close side arm and using it to try to make space, don't be afraid to switch to kesa, isolate that arm, then hip heist back to straight side control. This should force their arm up and across, in a bad place for them to push with it. It also puts it in a good place for you to mount attacks.

**Matburn** · Posted On: 5/12/2008 6:21pm

Originally Posted by Abusivemelon

Technique has been covered, just going to pick you up on this point.

"I even get side on a blue for like 10 seconds"

This is most likely the blue belt practicing from inferior positions and not a testament to your skills. Not trying to be a dick, we had a thread recently talking about how beginners would see themselves as better than they were due to not being dominated by people of greater skill.

Don't worry, I am under no illusions. Anything I get I always think was given to me anyway, regardless of belt.

**3moose1** · Posted On: 5/12/2008 10:26pm

Originally Posted by Matburn

Don't worry, I am under no illusions. Anything I get I always think was given to me anyway, regardless of belt.

Don't be so hard on yourself...your skills are progressing, be proud of that. Just don't be a dick and think your the next Saulo Riberio, (not yet, anyway ;P)

One of the most important things is CONTROLING HIS HIPS. all his escapes come from those.

I like to do one of two things, either go hip to hip, meaning drop your back leg (the one by his legs) and rest on his hips.

Also, another important detail...CHEST TO MUTHA FUCKIN CHEST.

but yeah, just keep their hips from moving, and work to north/south or knee on belly...

knee on belly is teh ****.