Passing someone’s guard is hard enough, so once you finally get to Side Control – you want to be able to hold it without using too much energy. For, if the opponent escapes this position while you were spending a lot of effort in trying to hold it, you won’t just be back to square one; but you’ll be more tired and much less enthusiastic about passing the guard yet again.
That’s why you need to make it a point to take as much of your opponent’s energy and strength away in Side Control, while not spending a lot of your own energy in doing it. Henry Akins explains how to do it… Here’s a hint: it’s by utilizing your Scarf Hold.
MAKING YOUR SIDE CONTROL AS HEAVY AS POSSIBLE BY HENRY AKINS
Professor Akins explains that, once you get into the Scarf Hold position, you need to make a few adjustments. First of all, make sure that your bodyweight is almost entirely on top of the opponent; your feet and the center of mass of your body are supposed to be the only points of contact. Also, close that gap between your body and the opponent’s head by closing your elbow.
Then, you need to drive your buttocks down towards the opponent for extra pressure… Hold this position, while lifting their head up a bit towards the ceiling, and you’ll get that dreaded pressure-tap in no time.
Henry Akins explains how to further develop your Scarf Hold on the video below:
