Back That Thang Up

Advancing to a secure side control position involves a series of coordinated movements to prevent the opponent from framing and regaining guard. Begin by pulling the opponent onto their side and simultaneously driving your head forward, placing it next to theirs, as if giving a hug. This allows your knee to touch the mat near their hip and your hand to secure an underhook.

1. With your head touching the opponent's head, look out to maintain awareness and prevent your face from being pressed into the mat.
2. Post your hand on the mat for stability, allowing you to react to the opponent's movements.
3. Control the opponent's tricep by grabbing over their arm and pulling it towards you, tucking it into their armpit to prevent them from framing.
4. Pass your knee through to your chest and onto the opponent's armpit, dropping your hips to the mat to shut down their hip movement.
5. Use a scooping motion to turn the opponent's hips to the opposite side, making it difficult for them to recover guard.
6. Complete the frame with your elbow and hip, and use your leg as a kickstand to maintain pressure and readiness to move.
7. Transition to a cross face by passing your arm over and securing a grip on the opponent's material for better control and shoulder pressure.
8. Pull the opponent into you to apply shoulder pressure, then switch your hips to the other side, directing the pressure under their chin.
9. Ensure your bottom knee touches the opponent's side to prevent them from turning into you, and replace the knee with your hand on the mat to block their guard recovery.
10. Square up into side control, staying on your toes like a kickstand to maintain forward pressure and follow any movement from the opponent.

Throughout the transition, maintain deep underhook control to prevent the opponent from framing or obtaining an underhook themselves. If the opponent attempts to circle in, adjust your position to maintain pressure and win the underhook battle. The goal is to smoothly pass through to side control without allowing the opponent to create space or leverage for a counter.