BJJ North-South Position: Control and Submissions
BJJBJJ App Team·⏱️ 1 min read·🔄 Mar 31, 2026
☰Contents
Master BJJ north-south position: control, the north-south choke and kimura entries.
Contents
North-South Position Fundamentals
North-south gives you head-side control and access to some of the most powerful chokes and shoulder locks in BJJ. Many grapplers skip this position — mastering it gives you a significant edge.
North-South Control Keys
- Keep chest-to-chest pressure like in side control
- Block their far hip with your knee to prevent bridging
- Keep your weight distributed — don't let them create space
North-South Choke Details
- From north-south, post one arm on the mat next to their far shoulder
- Slide your other arm under their near arm and behind their neck
- Bring your shoulder/bicep into the side of their neck
- Grip hands together and drop your shoulder weight
- Hip pressure combined with shoulder pressure completes the choke
⚠️ Common Mistake: Trying to choke from directly on top. The north-south choke works best when you are slightly off to the side of the arm you're attacking.
💡 Pro Tip: The north-south choke works even better if you catch them during the transition from side control — when they try to recover, they often walk right into it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the north-south position?
North-south is a top control position where you are face-down on top of your opponent with your head pointing toward their legs and your legs near their head — the opposite direction of side control.
How do I apply the north-south choke?
From north-south, slide one arm under their near arm, and drive your shoulder/bicep into the side of their neck. Cinch tight and hip pressure completes the choke.
How do I enter the north-south from side control?
From side control, underhook the near arm and walk around the head in small steps while maintaining chest pressure. You arrive at north-south naturally without giving space.