North South

North South is a dominant top position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where the practitioner is positioned perpendicular to their opponent, with their body aligned over the opponent's torso, and their head pointing toward the opponent's legs. The practitioner uses Pressure, Weight Distribution, and Frames to control the opponent while remaining mobile and creating submission opportunities.

Key Characteristics

Body Alignment

  • Your chest is over the opponent's torso, and your hips are aligned near their shoulders, making it difficult for them to escape or attack.

Head Placement

  • Your head is typically close to their hips, facing toward their legs, ensuring your posture is low and stable.

Control Points

  • Use your arms to control their shoulders or hips, and your Weight Distribution to pin them to the mat.

Goals of North South

Control and Immobilize

  • Use Pressure and Frames to restrict their movement and prevent escapes or counters.
  • Keep your weight heavy to pin their upper body while maintaining mobility to adjust.

Submission Opportunities

  • Transition to chokes like the North South Choke or joint locks such as the Kimura.
  • Exploit their defensive movements to isolate limbs or expose their neck.

Transition to Other Dominant Positions

Advantages of North South

Neutralizes Opponent’s Offense

  • The position limits their ability to attack or create Frames effectively.

Control Over Center of Gravity

  • Your low posture and strong Base make it challenging for the opponent to off-balance you.

Submission Setup

  • The alignment provides access to the opponent's neck, shoulders, and arms for attacks.

Common Submissions from North South

North South Choke

  • Use your shoulder and arm to apply pressure around the opponent’s neck, cutting off blood flow.

Kimura

  • Isolate an arm by gripping their wrist and locking in a Figure-Four Grip to attack the shoulder.

Armbar

  • Trap one of their arms while transitioning to a position to hyperextend their elbow.

Americana

  • From North South, transition back toward their torso to isolate and twist their arm using a Figure-Four Grip.

Straight Armlock

  • Pin their arm and use your weight to apply pressure and extend the joint.

Transitions from North South

Side Control Top

  • Adjust your body slightly to one side and re-establish control with cross-face and underhook grips.

Mount Top

  • Move your knees over their torso and slide into the Mount Top position.

Back Control

  • If the opponent turns to escape, follow their movement to secure Back Control.

Common Escapes from North South

Shrimp Escape

Bridge and Roll

  • Bridge explosively to off-balance the top player, creating an opportunity to escape.

Underhook Escape

  • Reach under the opponent’s torso to gain leverage and roll into a neutral position.

Common Mistakes in North South

Poor Weight Distribution

  • Keeping your weight too light allows the opponent to move or escape.

Leaning Too Far Forward

  • This shifts your Center of Gravity and makes you vulnerable to leg attacks or sweeps.

Not Controlling the Hips

  • If the opponent’s hips are free, they can generate enough movement to escape or counter.

Advancing North South

Tip

North South provides excellent opportunities for Pressure-based control, submissions, and transitions. Focus on maintaining strong Weight Distribution while adapting to the opponent’s movements to exploit openings for attacks or positional advancements.

Transitions from North South

Side Control Top

  • Shift your weight to one side and use a cross-face and underhook grip to move into Side Control.

Mount Top

  • Slide one knee across their torso while controlling their upper body to establish Mount Top.

Back Control

  • If the opponent turns to their side to escape, follow their movement by placing hooks and transitioning to Back Control.

Knee on Belly

  • Adjust your hips and slide one knee over their torso into Knee on Belly to maintain dominance and mobility.

Submissions from North South

North South Choke

  • Position your shoulder against their neck while using your arms to secure a tight grip, compressing the carotid arteries.

Kimura

  • Isolate an arm by gripping their wrist and locking a Figure-Four Grip, then twist their shoulder for the submission.

Armbar

  • Trap one of their arms by isolating it with your legs and finish by hyperextending their elbow.

Americana

Straight Armlock

  • Pin their arm and extend the joint by applying pressure downward with your weight.

Sweeps from North South (If Reversed)

Bridge and Sweep

  • If the opponent attempts to counter from bottom, use their momentum to reverse the position and end up on top.

Leg Hook Sweep

  • Hook one of their legs with your foot as they shift their weight, rolling them over and taking top control.

Passes into North South

Toreando Pass to North South

  • After clearing the opponent’s legs, circle around their hips and drop into North South for control.

Over-Under Pass to North South

  • Use Pressure to pin their hips and slide around their torso to establish North South.

Leg Drag Pass to North South

  • Drag their leg across your body and move into North South while maintaining upper-body control.

Escapes from North South

Shrimp Escape

Bridge and Roll Escape Bridge explosively to off-balance the top player and roll into Guard or Side Control.

Underhook Escape

  • Reach under the opponent’s body to gain leverage, using the momentum to turn into a neutral or advantageous position.

Spin to Guard Escape Shrimp and rotate your legs under their hips, spinning into Open Guard or Closed Guard.

Takedowns Leading to North South

Double Leg Takedown to North South

  • Complete the takedown and slide into North South by passing their legs and pinning their torso.

Body Lock Takedown to North South

  • Secure a tight grip around their waist, take them down, and transition directly to North South.

Snapdown to North South

  • Snap the opponent’s head down from a standing position, circle around, and establish North South control.

Trip Takedown to North South

  • Trip the opponent while controlling their upper body, landing directly in North South.

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