North-South Escape Techniques
North-south escape techniques — hip escape, Granby roll to deep half, arm drag counter, sit-up scramble. Early movement is key.
Adapted from InGrappling, North-South Escape Techniques. System Games did not invent this curriculum.
Manage injuries →Position map Connects to 4 positions across 3 relationshipsOpen in the map →1234←Escape route from
North-south is a top control position where the opponent straddles the defender’s head facing away — their hips are near the defender’s head, their chest is over the defender’s chest, their legs extend toward the defender’s legs or straddle the hips. It is a common transition from side control and a position from which north-south choke, kimura, and various arm attacks are launched.
This page documents the named escape techniques from north-south bottom. For the top perspective and attack content: North-South — Top. For the positional analysis from the bottom: North-South — Bottom.
Also known asKami shiho gatame escape(Japanese — top four-corner hold)
Early Stage — opponent transitioning to north-south from side control
The opponent is walking their hips toward the defender’s head. Maintain the hip frame — the near forearm blocks the opponent’s hip progress. If the frame is maintained, the north-south position cannot be fully established. This is the highest-leverage intervention point: stopping the transition is more efficient than escaping from completed north-south.
Hip escape and circle out is the primary tool. The Granby roll becomes available when the opponent has moved far enough toward the head that the shoulder inversion is possible. The sit-up frame escape is available when the opponent has not yet committed their full chest pressure. Act before the opponent settles and selects an attack.
The opponent is applying a north-south choke or arm attack. Both arms must stay tucked tight to the body — arm protection takes priority over escape attempts. When escaping, the hip escape direction matters: move toward the side where the submission threat is least active. Do not escape into the arm that is under attack.