Advice on troubleshooting my side control defence and regaining guard.

[Danny "Maverick" Vasquez]

I could use some advice from all of you jiu jitsu brothas out there. I am really struggling when i am on my back and my opponent has side control. Basically, i need some tips on regaining the guard... when i roll with more advanced practitioners and inviduals with a real solid base i struggle to get out of this possition. when my opponent does things such as... blocking my hip with his hand on the ground to prevent me turning into him and at least getting butterfly, or ....takes his hand and weaves it thru my leg and holds the opposite knee to also prevent me from turning into him, or ... posts his foot on the ground and puts his knee into the back of my knee to also prevent me from turning in.... i really sruggle. I am pretty crafty when it comes to avoid submission, however being in this predicament causes me too be defensive the entire time... can anyone offer some advice?

[David Stevens]

I would suggest developing a good bridge and hip escape (shrimp) to make space, then using your forearms/hands to move into created space to allow you to bring your guard back into play.

If they are blocking your near hip, hip escape out and clear the arm with your top shin (when facing opponent) or do a jail break on the arm.

Develop a good "possum" triangle when the opponent weaves his arm between the legs. It takes a bit of time, timing and flexibility, but you can get it to the point where people make sure they don't stick (or leave) the arm in there for long.

As for sticking their leg up under your near knee, I usually try to get my other foot under their leg/ankle like a butterfly, kick it out and start working for some kind of guard (not so high percentage, I usually just make people think that maintaining that leg is more effort than it's worth)

Hope it helps.

(having a good bridge and hip escape will get you out of most positions, or at least give you the space to start doing so.)

[Kevin Green]

Turtle up n cut the corner or just play from turtle bottom.

[Danny "Maverick" Vasquez]

ok, im open to anything... i like what i hear so far. im gonna put these things to work my next time on the mats and see how it works out... anything else? how about.... stop rolling with purple and brown belts??-lol

[Jon Watkins]

I've posted this video once before, but it's totally money.

[Danny "Maverick" Vasquez]

Jon, i just watched this video and you are right on the money my friend. It was as if he was correcting my problem exactly. I will put this in my bag of tricks...
as for the other 2 responses... i used all your advice in my last couple rolling sessions and they were also very effective. I found that i was normally tiring myself out using the same attempted escape and also becoming very predictable. So i tried one after another until i regained guard and eventually the sweep and into "submission mode".... thanks everyone... i will continue to add escapes to my arsenal.

[Ryan_B]

I pull the triangle everytime I feel the arm thread, I have yet to finish the traingle but I get a kimora off it or if they try to pass to the other side I grab a foot. I have managed to make being out in side control an offensive position. But yeah shrimp shrimp shrimp and make sure to throw your hip out as far as you can.

[Danny "Maverick" Vasquez]

sweet, thanks ryan... i was wondering about the foot as well...

[Robert Sevigny]

I could use some advice from all of you jiu jitsu brothas out there. I am really struggling when i am on my back and my opponent has side control.

thats the problem right there!!! NEVER lay FLAT on your back, you always wanna be slightly angeled on YOUR SHOULDER
try this theory out and lemme know what you think

[Brandon Mccaghren]