How can you FINISH more from side control when you get there?

It’s simple. You have to put a tremendous amount of pressure on your opponent and provoke a reaction so that you can use your two hands to attack.

Rickson Gracie black belt, Henry Akins had this to say about the side control position and what it takes to submit more from there:

The biggest problems I see with most people when they get to the top of side control that STOPS them dead in their tracks from finishing are…

1) At least 1 if not BOTH hands are OCCUPIED squeezing and or controlling their opponent. If you don’t have hands (unless you’re the super hero they call Kyle Maynard) you can’t finish.

2) Both knees are on the ground. If all your weight is on your knees then your weight isn’t smothering your opponent.

3) People are to willing to concede or give up the side control position for a lesser position. If you don’t want the position bad enough you won’t finish from that position.

Fabio Gurgel recently visited his former student Bernardo Faria and shared what he thinks is the best armbar that you can do from side control.

You will notice that Gurgel does all of the above: high pressure and using both his arms to finish.

Fabio Gurgel is a name well-known throughout worldwide Jiu Jitsu circles. He is one of the world’s most sought after coaches, responsible for the development of many beloved jiujiteiros – such as Marcelo Garcia, Cobrinha, Lucas Lepri and many others – as well as a CEO and head coach of the famous Alliance Jiu Jitsu Team. which is the most successful in Jiu-Jitsu history with 12 team world titles.

He’s a 4x World Jiu Jitsu Champion, and this October it will be 30 years since he has been awarded his black belt by his coach, Romero „Jacare“ Cavalcanti.