If you’ve got your opponent in side control then you’re definitely dominating the match, but if he’s being defensive then it can still be hard to finish from there.
A smart opponent will keep his arms in and protect his neck with his hands, making it challenging to catch an armlock or force a choke.
This is where deception comes in. You’ve got to lure your opponent into a trap by giving him something seemingly advantageous and then using that to submit him with a leglock.
The kneebar from side control is one of my favorite submission setups and a great example of this kind of trap.
Here’s a quick video of this move, and below the video are pictures of the key steps for your reference. Let’s go through this move together…
Kneebar from Side Control Step-by-Step
Here, for your reference, are the steps one by one…
Start in side control on your opponent’s right side.
Bring your top (left) hand from under his neck to above his neck. This will allow you to post up more easily later on.
Slightly lift your bottom (left) knee off the floor, baiting your opponent to put you back into the half guard.
He takes the bait and puts you back into side control; now you need to move fast!
Push down on his hip and his shoulder to create space while keeping him pinned to the mat.
Kick your top (left) leg over his head and bring your heel to the knee of your leg that is trapped in half guard.
End up in an “S Mount” type position with your left heel touching your own right knee, trapping your opponent’s left leg between your thighs.
Continue the momentum, land on your left side, trap his foot between your head and the mat and extend your hips to apply the kneebar.
Well, there you have it! One of my very favorite side control submission setups to use against very defensive opponents.
Good luck with your training,
Stephan Kesting
More Leglock Resources
The Ultimate 2 for 1 Leglock Package
The 2 for 1 Leglock Package is a collaboration between Stephan Kesting and Rob Biernacki to bring you the very bet in modern leglock technology.
From the kneebar to the heel hook, from the saddle to the false reap, from entries to counter to drills, this instructional package has it all.
It’s also backed up with my unconditional 365 day all-your-money-back guarantee if you don’t like it for any reason.
Click here to find out more about the 2 for 1 Leglock Package.
Kneebar Mastery, Fixing the Most Common Mistakes
Kneebar Mastery – how to fix the most common mistakes
The kneebar is the king of leg submissions: you are attacking one of the largest joints in the body and demonstrating mastery over your opponent.
To develop this lock into an effective attack took a lot of research and experimentation: hopefully I can save you a few months (or years) in your kneebar journey.
Kneebar mistakes usually fall into one of three categories: incorrect body position, lack of control over your opponent’s leg, and insufficient knowledge of counters….
Click here to read Kneebar Mastery, Fixing the Most Common Mistakes.