What is the North-South?
North-south places the top player’s chest perpendicular to the opponent’s, typically after the bottom player turns away from side control. It offers strong positional control, north-south chokes, and kimura attacks with heavy shoulder pressure.
Position Flow
How to Enter
- Transition when opponent turns away from side control
- Pass directly to north-south from torreando or knee cut
- Sprawl pass completion when hips face down
How to Exit
- Return to side control or mount when submissions open
- Transition to back when opponent gives space
- Allow guard recovery only when attacking a submission chain
Key Controls
- Chest pressure on upper back or sternum
- Knees pinched around shoulders or hips
- Head and arm control blocking turning escapes
Vulnerabilities
- Rolling escapes when head control is lost
- Bridge and roll when weight stays too high
- Framing under hips to recover half guard
Ideal When
The opponent turns away to escape side control — north-south punishes defensive rotation with control and chokes.
Offense
Goals
- Pin shoulders and limit hip rotation
- Attack north-south choke and kimura
Key Techniques
- North-south choke
- Kimura from top
- Arm triangle when head and arm align
Pro Tips
- Sprawl hips low — floating north-south invites rolls
- Block near-side hip to prevent half guard recovery
- Use knee pressure on biceps to kill frames
Common Mistakes
- Staying high without head control
- Chasing kimura without pinning the shoulder
Defense
Goals
- Create frames and recover guard or half guard
- Turn back toward opponent to re-guard
Key Techniques
- Bridge and roll toward knees
- Frame on hips and insert knee shield
- Granby roll when head control loosens
Pro Tips
- Do not stay flat — active bridging prevents chokes
- Turn toward them if north-south choke pressure builds
Common Mistakes
- Remaining face-down without framing
- Exposing arm for kimura when pushing away
Variations
North-south with gift wrapNorth-south crucifix entry
Key Concepts
- Turning away from side control invites north-south
- Low hips and head control stabilize the position
- North-south connects passing to high-percentage chokes
Recommended Drills
- Side control to north-south transition reps
- North-south pin maintenance with hip escape defense
- Kimura and choke chain rounds from north-south
Related Techniques
Summary
North-south punishes defensive turns. Sprawl heavy, control the head, and attack chokes and kimuras before they recover frames.