Review of Side Control: Pin with Kindness, Escape with Science

Overview
Side control is a pin, not a rest. Top aims to glue chest to hips and isolate far arm; bottom aims to make frames, turn to a side, and recover guard or come to knees. The details decide whether it’s a blanket or a revolving door.

Who benefits
- Top players who rush mount and lose it.
- Bottom players who feel smothered and gas out.

Pay‑off
Top learns shoulder of justice (cross‑face), hip switches, and the value of blocking the far hip. Bottom learns frames before bridges, to connect elbow‑knee, and to pick the right moment to insert the knee.

Watch‑outs
- Top over‑committing to head pressure can gift an underhook escape.
- Bottom bridging with no frames burns energy; get your hands right first.
- Avoid forearm across the throat as a habit—control, not cruelty.

Try this round
- Top sequence: Cross‑face → near‑side underhook → switch to Kesa → isolate far arm → return to side.
- Bottom sequence: Frame at neck/hip → hip escape → insert knee → recover guard.
- 30‑second pin test: Top must hold a counting partner for 30 seconds without using hands—just hip and chest adjustments.

Final word
Side control rewards patience and micro‑adjustments. Make it heavy but humane; escape with structure, not spasms.

-Chuk