North-South Position

Features 8 Free YouTube Videos Covering Defense (Survival, Escapes, and Counter Offense) and Offense (Control and Submissions)

Want to improve your north-south game? This page compiles video instructables logically and systematically. This structure will allow you to see your and your opponent's options from the back mount and learn how to handle these scenarios. 

Survival (Defense) From North-South Position

How to Defend the North-South Choke

[Click for Video] How to defend the north-south choke (Brian Peterson): To stop this choke you will need to get a frame with the arm that is on the same side as your opponent's choking arm. You will then push against his neck with your hands and escape your hips outward.

Escapes From North-South Position

How to Escape the Different North-South Positions

[Click for Video] Two Escapes for North-South Position (Nick Albin): Two escapes from north-south are shown. One involves swinging your hips to create space and the other involves switching your hips to grab a headlock on your opponent.

How to Escape the Double Over Variation

[Click for Video] How to escape north-south (double over) (Stephan Kesting): To escape this variation frame one hip with your hands and then rock your hips so that you can swing your legs around and get to side control.

How to Escape the Double Under Variation

[Click for Video] How to escape north-south (double under variation) (Stephan Kesting): To escape the double under variation, use both of your hands to frame against your opponent's neck. From this point bring both knees in and invert.

How to Escape the Over Under Variation

[Click for Video] How to escape north-south (over under variation) (Stephan Kesting): To escape this variation, use your free hand to apply a choking frame to your opponent's neck, then work an underhook in to get to side control.

Submissions From North-South Position

How to Perform the North-South Choke

[Click for Video] How To Perfect Your North South Choke (Marcelo Garcia): The north-south choke begins in side control where you put your arm over your opponent's head and transition to north-south. From this point, you will keep your choking arm palm down and connect your hands with a gable grip.

[Click for Video] How to Finish North South Choke (Nick Albin): This north-south choke starts in reverse kesa gatame. Often times your opponent will lift their head while trying to defend reverse kesa gatame. This will provide an opportunity to slide your arm in for the choke. To finish the choke you need to lock their head to the side by pinning it against the side of your body. From this point, you will transition to north-south where you will use an s-grip to finish the choke.

Control From North-South Position

How to Control the North-South Position

[Click for Video] North South Conceptual Basics (Rory van Vliet): Controlling the north-south position requires maintaining pressure on their torso, controlling the hips, and turning your opponent's head to control their spine.Â