Suitcase Choke from Side Control

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The Suitcase Choke from side control is an effective submission technique that exploits your opponent's positioning and movement as they pass your guard. Here’s how to execute it:

Initial Position: As your opponent completes their pass to side control, ensure you get your arm underneath their neck. This initial setup is crucial as it sets the foundation for the choke.

Responding to Opponent’s Movement: Typically, in side control, your opponent might attempt to solidify their position by sitting through towards your legs, aiming to control your hips and prevent escapes. This common behavior is what you will use to set up your choke.

Setting the Choke: Keep both hands up as if you are attempting to either escape to your knees or perform an elbow escape. This action can provoke your opponent to move their arm to pin your hip, creating the opportunity you need.

Executing the Choke: As your opponent reacts, bring your knee on the same side up to create the necessary angle. Simultaneously, your arm that is under their neck sweeps over their back and catches under your own leg, securing their neck tightly against your side.

Securing the Position: Ensure your outside leg (the one you brought up) is flush against their side to stabilize your position. This leg acts as a barrier, preventing them from posturing back up and escaping the choke.

Final Adjustment: As you set the choke, push off the ground with your free hand to enhance the tightness of the choke. The key movement here is a crunch-like motion where your chest moves towards your knees, effectively tightening the choke.

Completing the Choke: With the arm securely under your leg and your body crunched up, pull your opponent into the choke by contracting your abdominal muscles and pulling them towards you. This dual action compresses their neck between your arm and your body, effectively choking them.

This version of the Suitcase Choke in side control leverages both the element of surprise and the natural reactions of your opponent to being initially controlled. It’s a powerful tool for when you find yourself on the bottom but can manage to set up a submission through clever positioning and movement.