About This Episode

In this installment of our Positional Playbook series, I dive deep into the strategic advantages of the North-South position. I share why this became a cornerstone of my game as a white belt and how it offers a unique solution to opponents with exceptionally "tricky" guards. You'll learn my specific techniques for creating suffocating pressure, the subtle "soft skill" adjustments that force an audible grunt from your opponent, and the diverse submission matrix available from this dominant spot—from the Kimura and North-South choke to the back take.

Key Takeaways

1. Negate the Guard: Use the North-South position to completely bypass the legs and knees of flexible opponents, preventing them from reguarding or framing effectively.
2. Weight Distribution is Key: To maximize pressure, get off your knees and drive your weight through your ribcage into your opponent's near-side shoulder.
3. The "Armpit Wedge": Deeply wedging your forearm into the opponent's armpit and pulling it toward you can isolate the limb and create an opening for a variety of Kimura-based submissions.

Chapters

1. 00:00 – Introduction: Why I Love the North-South Position
2. 01:10 – Origins: Discovering the North-South via the Kimura
3. 02:00 – Defining the Position: Hips-to-Head Alignment
4. 02:55 – Strategic Advantage: Bypassing "Tricky" Guards
5. 04:30 – Submission Matrix: Chokes, Strangles, and Arm Attacks
6. 06:05 – Mastering the Pressure: Getting Off Your Knees
7. 07:45 – The Art of the "Punishment" Weight: Forcing the Audible Grunt
8. 09:40 – Establishing the Kimura Grip: The Armpit Wedge
9. 12:00 – Secondary Attacks: Bread Cutter, Scissor Choke, and Lapel Control
10. 14:50 – Refining the North-South Choke: Hand Placement and Squeezing
11. 17:15 – Transitioning to the Back: Baiting the Turtle
12. 19:00 – Common Pitfalls: Rushing and Improper Weight Placement
13. 21:30 – Outro: Join the DFM Coaching Community

Are You You New To The Podcast? Start Here!

Stay ConnectedDFM Coaching

For remote coaching, seminars, mindset tools, and more:

Join the FREE Skool DFM Coaching Community.

🌐 www.DFMCoachingBjj.com

📸 Instagram @DFMCoaching.Bjj

▶️ YouTube @DFM2099

DFM Coaching | Bjj Blog

Long-form storytelling, deep strategy, and the philosophy behind the fight:

🌐 DFM Coaching Substack Blog

BJJ Mental Models Support

I'm proud to be an official affiliate of BJJ Mental Models—a deep resource library of conceptual Jiu-Jitsu that has helped thousands of grapplers simplify their learning.

Use my link to explore their premium offerings and support the show:

👉 Join BJJ Mental Models+

(Code: FIGUEROAMARTINEZ)

Support the Mission

If you found this episode valuable, please share it with a teammate, repost it to your story, or leave a quick review where ever you listen.

That’s how we grow and keep the signal strong.

Stay tapped in.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-Martinez

Founder, DFM Coaching Bjj

Coach | Writer | Grappler

DFM Coaching Bjj is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!

Mentioned in this episode:

DFM Coaching Bjj Skool community