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Nord-sud Position (Cem Quilos / 100 Kilos)

Quick Introduction​

North-south is a powerful head-to-head immobilization position where you control your opponent with chest-on-chest pressure while your heads are positioned near each other but facing opposite directions. This position offers unique submission opportunities, exceptional control, and serves as an important transitional platform between contrôle latéral variations. The perpendicular body alignment creates a different pressure angle than traditional contrôle latéral, making it particularly difficult to escape and providing access to specialized attacks including the nord-sud choke, kimura, and various arm attacks.

Position Overview​

Station: Immobilization

Achieved from: Contrôle latéral, Genou sur ventre, guard passes, scrambles, opponent's escape attempts

Leads to: Contrôle latéral, Front Mount, Back Mount, nord-sud choke, Kimura, Armbar, Americana

Points: Counts as contrôle latéral in sport BJJ (3 points for the pass)

Nord-sud Variations (3 Main Positions)​

⬇️ Standard Nord-sud (Maximum Control)​

Objective

Establish heavy chest-on-chest pressure to exhaust opponent and prevent movement; maintain stable control while preparing for submissions or transitions; keep opponent flat on back with arms controlled

Main Characteristic

Head-to-head orientation with bodies pointing opposite directions; chest drives directly onto opponent's chest creating downward pressure; arms control opponent's arms or encircle body/hips

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. From contrôle latéral, step head-side leg over opponent's head
  2. Position your head near opponent's head (ear-to-ear alignment)
  3. Both bodies form straight line in opposite directions
  4. Drive chest directly down onto opponent's chest
  5. Sprawl legs back for wide base (similar to push-up position)
  6. Arms encircle opponent's waist or control their arms
  7. Keep hips low and drive weight through chest cavity
  8. Distribute pressure through entire torso, not just shoulders
  9. Squeeze elbows tight to sides, controlling their arms
  10. Apply constant downward pressure; breathe slowly
  11. Control opponent's head with your head position
  12. Stay heavy and compact; make your body feel extremely heavy

Key Control Guidelines

  • Chest placement: Center of opponent's chest for maximum pressure
  • Head position: Near opponent's head; use your head to control theirs
  • Arm control: Encircle waist tightly OR control both arms individually
  • Base: Wide sprawled legs; balls of feet for mobility
  • Pressure direction: Straight down through chest cavity; feel like you're doing push-up on their chest
  • Hip position: Low and heavy; don't pike hips upward

Tactical Advantage

Extremely difficult to escape; very uncomfortable for opponent; excellent control with minimal energy; access to unique submissions; good resting position while maintaining dominance; opponent's arms naturally isolated making submissions easier; different pressure angle than contrôle latéral creates different defensive problems

🔧 Kimura/Arm Attack Nord-sud​

Objective

Isolate and attack opponent's arms using figure-four grip; set up kimura, americana, or armbar; force opponent to defend arms while maintaining heavy pressure

Main Characteristic

One of opponent's arms isolated and controlled with figure-four grip while maintaining nord-sud body position and pressure

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. From standard nord-sud position, identify target arm
  2. Control opponent's wrist with one hand
  3. Thread other arm under their elbow
  4. Grip your own wrist (figure-four/kimura grip)
  5. Maintain chest pressure with body weight
  6. Lift opponent's elbow away from body
  7. Apply kimura pressure by rotating their hand toward head
  8. Keep opponent's arm bent at 90-degree angle
  9. Drive chest pressure to prevent them from rolling
  10. Adjust angle as needed for submission or transition

Alternative Attacks

Americana option:

  1. If opponent extends arm to defend kimura
  2. Change to americana grip (same figure-four, different direction)
  3. Drive forearm to mat for tap

Armbar option:

  1. If opponent defends by keeping arm bent
  2. Step leg over their head
  3. Fall back for armbar while maintaining wrist control

Tactical Advantage

Multiple submission options from one control position; arm isolation creates offensive opportunities; opponent defending arm attacks often exposes neck for chokes; strong control maintained throughout attack sequence

🎯 Nord-sud Choke Position (Submission Setup)​

Objective

Set up specialized nord-sud choke using arm encirclement; create choking pressure by squeezing opponent's neck with your arms while maintaining body pressure

Main Characteristic

Arms form loop around opponent's neck/shoulder area; your bicep creates choking pressure on one side while your forearm creates pressure on other side; body weight drives through arms into choke

Execution (Step by Step)

  1. From standard nord-sud, slide one arm under opponent's neck
  2. Thread arm across their far shoulder
  3. Clasp hands together on far side (palm-to-palm or gable grip)
  4. Position your bicep against one side of neck
  5. Position your forearm/wrist bone against other side of neck
  6. Keep elbows tight; pull hands toward your body
  7. Drive chest pressure through arms into their neck
  8. Squeeze arms together like doing bicep curl
  9. Walk body toward their head to increase angle
  10. Maintain squeeze while driving forward pressure
  11. Adjust arm depth if opponent tucks chin

Key Pressure Points

  • Bicep presses one carotid artery
  • Forearm/wrist bone presses other carotid
  • Chest pressure drives force through arms
  • Squeezing motion combines with forward pressure

Tactical Advantage

High-percentage choke from dominant position; difficult to defend once locked in; uses body weight not just arm strength; opponents often underestimate danger until choke is deep; works well in gi and no-gi

Important Observations (General Rules)​

Core Principles​

  1. 🎯 Downward pressure fundamental - Drive chest straight down into opponent's chest; make them carry your entire weight
  2. 💪 Arm control critical - Control at least one arm at all times; both arms controlled is ideal
  3. ⏱️ Patience pays - Position is very secure; exhaust opponent before attacking if needed
  4. 🔄 Transitional hub - Excellent position for moving between contrôle latéral variations
  5. 🎮 Submission diversity - Multiple attack options available (chokes, armlocks, shoulder locks)
  6. 📍 Head position matters - Your head controls opponent's head like a pin; prevents movement
  7. 🎪 Pressure angle - Different from contrôle latéral; creates unique defensive challenges for opponent

Connection to Theories​

Applying core principles:

  • Weight Distribution: Entire body weight drives through chest into opponent; gravity is your ally
  • Space Management: Chest-on-chest eliminates space; sprawled legs prevent opponent from creating angles
  • Table Theory: Opponent pinned flat like table legs controlled; arms isolated like removing table supports
  • Leverage Advantage: Your entire body weight focuses on their chest cavity; mechanical advantage
  • Defensive Hierarchy: Opponent forced to defend position, breathing, AND submissions simultaneously
  • Action-Reaction: Opponent's defensive movements naturally expose submission opportunities

Common Mistakes​

⚠️ Hips too high - Piking hips upward reduces chest pressure and makes you easy to roll; must keep hips low and heavy

⚠️ Head too far away - Lifting head removes control point and allows opponent head movement; keep head close to opponent's head

⚠️ Driving with shoulders only - Using only shoulder pressure instead of full chest; must distribute weight through entire torso

⚠️ Loose arm control - Not encircling tightly or leaving arms free; opponent uses arm frames to create escape space

⚠️ Narrow base - Legs too close together makes you easy to roll or sweep; need wide sprawled base

⚠️ Insufficient pressure - Holding position without driving weight through opponent; they recover energy and escape

⚠️ Rushing submissions - Attacking before establishing solid control; must have heavy pressure first

⚠️ Static positioning - Staying completely still allows opponent to time escape; maintain dynamic pressure even while resting

Submission Options from Nord-sud​

Primary Submissions​

Nord-sud Choke

  • Signature submission from this position
  • Arm forms loop around neck; bicep and forearm create bilateral pressure
  • High percentage when locked properly
  • Works in gi and no-gi

Kimura (Chicken Wing)

  • Opponent's arm isolated using figure-four grip
  • Can finish from nord-sud position or transition to finish
  • Particularly accessible when opponent frames to escape
  • Multiple finish angles available

Americana (Paintbrush/Ude Garami)

  • Alternative to kimura using same figure-four grip
  • Drives opponent's forearm to mat
  • Effective when opponent extends arm to defend

Armbars (Various)

  • Step-over armbar when isolating arm
  • Inverted armbar from far-side arm control
  • Belly-down armbar as transition

Secondary Attacks​

Arm Triangle (Kata Gatame)

  • Transition from nord-sud toward contrôle latéral
  • Trap opponent's arm against their neck
  • Complete from contrôle latéral or mount

Shoulder Locks

  • When opponent's arm isolated in poor position
  • Requires careful control to avoid injury
  • More common in no-gi applications

Back Take

  • When opponent turns to escape nord-sud
  • Establish seatbelt grip and insert hooks
  • Natural transition during scrambles

Training Progressions (4 Levels)​

Level 1: Foundation (White Belt)​

Goal: Establish stable nord-sud position and understand pressure mechanics

Drills:

  1. Static hold drill - Hold nord-sud position 60 seconds; partner feels pressure but doesn't resist actively
  2. Pressure awareness - Partner rates your pressure 1-10; learn to maximize pressure efficiency
  3. Position entry - Transition from contrôle latéral to nord-sud 10 times each side
  4. Base recovery - Partner pushes you; recover stable position without being rolled

Success Metrics: Hold position 60+ seconds; create noticeable pressure; transition smoothly from contrôle latéral; maintain wide base

Level 2: Control (Blue Belt)​

Goal: Maintain position against active escape attempts; understand arm control strategies

Drills:

  1. Escape defense - Partner attempts 4 common escapes (bridge, roll, shrimp, arm frames); maintain position
  2. Arm control practice - Isolate and control one arm, then both arms systematically
  3. Pressure variations - Alternate between maximum pressure and lighter control; understand pressure management
  4. Transition flow - North-south → contrôle latéral → nord-sud → genou sur ventre (continuous flow)
  5. North-south choke setup - Practice arm placement and grip for choke without finishing

Success Metrics: Defend common escapes; control arms consistently; transition smoothly between positions; set up choke properly

Level 3: Attacking (Purple Belt)​

Goal: Complete submissions from position; chain attacks based on reactions

Drills:

  1. Submission chains - North-south choke → kimura → armbar based on defensive reactions
  2. Choke refinement - Complete nord-sud choke against resisting partner
  3. Arm attack sequences - Kimura → americana → armbar combination drilling
  4. Positional sparring - Start nord-sud, 3-minute rounds; you maintain/attack, partner escapes
  5. Back take opportunities - Partner escapes toward turtle; complete back take with hooks

Success Metrics: Complete nord-sud choke regularly; finish arm attacks; take back during escapes; maintain position against strong resistance

Level 4: Mastery (Brown/Black Belt)​

Goal: Use nord-sud strategically; pressure timing; high submission success rate

Drills:

  1. Competition simulation - Live rounds starting from position; full resistance
  2. Pressure management - Alternate pressure to create submission openings while conserving energy
  3. Reaction baiting - Force opponent into specific defensive pattern then exploit weakness
  4. Submission refinement - Complete submissions against high-level resistance
  5. Teaching progressions - Explain and demonstrate all variations to lower belts

Success Metrics: Maintain against high-level opponents indefinitely; complete submissions in competition; use strategically for control and finishing; teach effectively

Troubleshooting Guide​

Problem: Opponent keeps rolling me over​

Causes:

  • Hips too high (piking position)
  • Base too narrow (legs not sprawled wide)
  • Weight on shoulders instead of chest
  • Not controlling opponent's arms

Solutions:

  • Keep hips low and heavy; flatten entire body
  • Sprawl legs wider; create stronger base
  • Drive pressure through chest, not shoulders
  • Encircle arms tightly or control both arms individually
  • When opponent bridges, post on toes and expand base wider
  • Keep head lower and closer to opponent

Problem: Can't maintain pressure; opponent creates space​

Causes:

  • Chest not driving downward effectively
  • Arms not encircling tightly enough
  • Opponent getting frames inside
  • Breathing creating pressure gaps

Solutions:

  • Actively drive chest into opponent; don't just rest
  • Squeeze elbows tight to body; arms form tight loop
  • Control arms before opponent establishes frames
  • Breathe slowly and maintain constant pressure throughout breath cycle
  • Make small adjustments constantly to maintain pressure

Problem: North-south choke not working​

Causes:

  • Arms not deep enough around neck
  • Choking with hands/grip instead of bicep and forearm
  • Not enough squeeze combined with forward pressure
  • Opponent tucking chin successfully

Solutions:

  • Ensure bicep is on one side of neck, forearm on other
  • Squeeze arms together like bicep curl while driving forward
  • Walk feet toward opponent's head to improve angle
  • If chin tucked, adjust arm depth or transition to arm attack
  • Use body weight through arms, not just arm strength
  • Maintain chest pressure while establishing choke

Problem: Opponent escapes to side using arm frames​

Causes:

  • Not controlling opponent's arms early enough
  • Chest too high giving frame opportunity
  • Static pressure allows opponent to time escape
  • Weak arm encirclement

Solutions:

  • Control at least one arm immediately when entering position
  • Keep chest lower, closer to opponent's chest
  • Maintain dynamic pressure; small adjustments constantly
  • Encircle waist tightly with strong squeeze
  • If opponent establishes frame, attack that arm immediately
  • Transition to contrôle latéral or genou sur ventre rather than losing position

Problem: Can't isolate arms for kimura/americana​

Causes:

  • Not enough chest pressure keeping opponent flat
  • Opponent's arms too close to body
  • Trying to force arm isolation too early
  • Poor grip control on wrist

Solutions:

  • Establish heavy chest pressure first; opponent must deal with pressure
  • Wait for opponent to push or frame; attack that extended arm
  • Be patient; let opponent create arm isolation opportunity
  • Secure firm wrist control before attempting figure-four grip
  • Use pressure to tire opponent; they eventually extend arms to escape
  • Bait arm extension by slightly releasing pressure then catching arm

Problem: Getting tired maintaining position​

Causes:

  • Using muscle tension instead of weight distribution
  • Fighting against opponent's movements
  • Breathing incorrectly
  • Inefficient pressure mechanics

Solutions:

  • Relax muscles; let body weight do the work
  • Flow with opponent's movements; don't resist them
  • Breathe slowly and deeply; relaxed but heavy
  • Focus on structure and position, not strength
  • Make small efficient adjustments rather than large movements
  • This should be resting position; if exhausting you, technique needs refinement

Belt-Level Expectations​

White Belt (6-12 months)​

Focus: Understand position and create basic pressure

  • Hold nord-sud against light resistance 60+ seconds
  • Transition from contrôle latéral to nord-sud smoothly
  • Create noticeable chest pressure
  • Maintain wide base and low hips
  • Understand concept of arm control
  • Begin learning nord-sud choke setup

Blue Belt (2-3 years)​

Focus: Maintain against active resistance; begin attacking

  • Hold position against strong escape attempts
  • Control opponent's arms effectively
  • Set up nord-sud choke properly
  • Complete choke against moderate resistance
  • Isolate arms for kimura/americana
  • Transition smoothly between nord-sud and contrôle latéral variations
  • Use position in live rolling comfortably

Purple Belt (4-5 years)​

Focus: Complete submissions regularly; strategic position use

  • Hold indefinitely against most opponents
  • Complete nord-sud choke regularly in training
  • Finish kimura, americana, or armbar from position
  • Chain submissions based on defensive reactions
  • Use position as transitional hub effectively
  • Understand when to maintain vs when to transition
  • Apply in competition successfully

Brown/Black Belt (6+ years)​

Focus: Masterful control and submissions; teaching others

  • Maintain against high-level resistance indefinitely
  • Complete nord-sud choke in competition
  • High submission success rate from position
  • Use strategically (pressure management, energy conservation)
  • Adjust technique for different body types and skill levels
  • Understand subtle details and can articulate them
  • Teach all variations and troubleshooting effectively

Position Progression​

Submissions from Position​

  • Kimura - Primary arm attack from nord-sud
  • Americana - Alternative arm attack option
  • Armbar - When arm is fully isolated

Guard Passing Context​

Fundamental Concepts​