📍 Positions

What is North-South in BJJ?

Quick Definition

A top control position facing the opposite direction of your opponent, head to hips.

Full Explanation

North-south is a top control position where you're lying on top of your opponent but facing the opposite direction - your head near their hips, their head near your hips. It's reached by rotating from side control. It's excellent for controlling wrestlers (their shots are neutralized) and offers submissions like the north-south choke and kimura. The chest-on-face pressure makes breathing difficult for the bottom person.

Examples in Context

"He transitioned to north-south and went for the choke"

"North-south is my favorite control position"

Related Terms

Side Control

A dominant top position perpendicular to your opponent, controlling their upper body.

North-South Choke

A choke applied from the north-south position using your arm around the neck.

Kimura

A shoulder lock using a figure-four grip on the opponent's arm.

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