2/23 More Side Control

We worked on bridging from bottom side control. Discussed arm positioning. Your inside arm can protect your neck by going flush against the side of your face,elbows in. Your outside arm should get an underhook. Bridging without the underhook could leave you vulnerable for arm locks. When you start to bridge, your inside arm can be used for spacing as you bring your feet to your butt and bridge over. Once your reach the peek, tuck your inside elbow under your body. This provides the extra leverage to prevent being rolled back on your back. Now hip escape for space then transition into half or full guard.

One variation can use a takedown instead of a transition to guard. When you hip escape, your opponent will be on their knees. Scissor kick to change the position of your legs, imedietly get to your knees and reach for their farside knee with your outside arm. Drive into your opponent from the side and follow them down into side control. Your pressure combined with the knee control will natrually put them on their side. This leaves the back exposed. When you drive into their body, you need to follow to the exposed side. With luck, you may also take the back.

We rolled for 4 7 minute rounds. I probably had my most productive day. I had a ton of energy and managed to keep my composure to escape several submission attempts. I was able to lock in a gi choke after taking the back of a much more experienced partner.

Even though we worked on side control sweeps, I did struggle in bottom side control against an opponent who had 50lbs on me.